A very urban run that wasn't urban, just 2 years ago

While it kind of happened while we weren't looking, Chiang Mai has experience expansion in all directions over the years. The nature that we seek becomes more and more distant of a ride to it each year that passes.

I'm not complaining because unlike a lot of other Hashes in Thailand and around the world, at least we have some level of nature near our hometown.

this was our latest run and it was pointed out to us before we event went there that this area was completely farm and jungle just a mere 2 years ago. now, it is what is called a new "moo baan" which just means a neighborhood or building development.

The overhead organization of perfectly rectangular houses organized in rows certainly looks boring and maybe even corporate from above. It wasn't much different on the ground either.

This is still fun for us but this was a different kind of run. It was a bit of a lazy Hare-trail because "Ting Tong" lives near here. I don't know exactly what this area was meant to be 2 years ago because it didn't look very cultivated back then either.

There was still some level of nature around the outsides but it was kind of eerie to be on these cement streets with construction still all over the place when just 500 days ago or so there was raw nature here including wildlife.

IT's a shame, but I guess that is the way of the world and how one should expect a city with 1.5 million inhabitants to operate. It seems as though most people who live here no longer want to live downtown and with the expansion and modernization of the highways here it is a lot easier for people to live out of the city center. I would imagine that we can expect this to continue in all directions other than to the west which is covered by a mostly impassable mountain range.

WE had a decent crew this time around and everyone had a pretty great time. The usual 6km or so was covered and everyone finished. This was substantially easier than are more country runs because housing developments tend to not be built on hilly terrain. Over the entire "trail" there wasn't even a 10 meter gain in altitude.

This was still exercise though and it was still a good time hanging out with friends, which is what the Chiang Mai Hash House Harriers is all about.

Feel free to come and join us if you feel like it. We have 3 runs per week. Monday is men only, and Thursday and Saturday are mixed run with women and men. All of these pick up at the Tha Phae McDonalds at quarter to 4pm. look for the people with the silly shirts sitting outside. They'll guide you in the right direction!

On On!