Tak
Thailand
April 5, 2010

From Chiang Mai I took the bus to Tak.  The guidebooks barely mention this city, but I went anyway.  And once again, in Tak, my travel philosophy is reconfirmed: “No matter where I go, there is always something interesting, even fascinating, to see, to discover.”   
 
I wandered out of the Wiang Tak Hotel into the searing afternoon heat.  Along the tree-shaded lanes I found old teak homes and a proud city hall.  I stopped for lunch at a food shop and ordered som tam – the traditional searing-hot green papaya salad.  I requested “nueng plick” - only one red chili pepper for me, please.  The som tam lady smiled.  The recipe calls for a handful.