That is One Hot Mamma...

Chiang Mai, Thailand

July 28, 2007
N 18°47.209
E 098°59.602

After an uneventful three hour bus ride, we arrived in Chiang Mai to clear skies and temperatures at least 10 degrees (F) higher than Chiang Rai. The streets were sizzling as we set out to find a late lunch after our normal routine when we arrive in a new city—find a room, shower and then scope out the new neighborhood.

Hoping to relax outside before the skies opened up, we found a table outside in a triangle of bars where we could have a bite to eat and enjoy an ice cold Singha. It was a perfect spot to people watch.

Sitting at a table behind us was a woman that appeared to be in her late 50’s with unkempt, bushy, wild dark hair—like a perm gone wrong or maybe she put her finger in the light socket. She had the face and build of a bulldog and looked like she’d be happy to bite you. She was wearing a white cotton t-shirt with terrycloth baby blue shorts that hung mid-thigh. It was the legwarmers, also in baby blue, that really caught my attention as I glanced over my shoulder on occasion to take a quick peak. I told Marc, “that is a piece of work.”

After two or three beers, she paid her bill and got up as Irene Cara appropriately belted “Flashdance… What a Feeling” in the background—I kid you not! Marc noticed the legwarmers for the first time and I pointed out her high top leather Reeboks circa 1983. As she staggered away, with a Marlborough hanging out of her mouth, we could tell she wasn’t wearing a bra; as everything hung over the shorts—gut and all.

Now for the chopper… we saw it sitting there when we walked up, but not once did we think the big, red Harley Davidson with three flags connected to the back—Thai on the right, large American flag in the middle and an unidentifiable yellow flag on the left—belonged to this lady. We’ve seen a lot of motor scooters and a few motorcycles zipping around the streets in South East Asia, but this Hog was different all together.

When everyone realized the lady was headed towards the Harley, they turned around to take a closer look. I guess we shouldn’t have been surprised… she was probably a mama for a Hell’s Angel in her day. After securing her leather purse on the back of the bike, she kick started the Hog. This was when it got really crazy. The Harley was decorated with hundreds of red lights; the beast lit up like a Christmas tree, neon lights, rhythmically flashing on-and-off as it roared to life. It was a real spectacle and probably not the best rig to be driving after a several beers—at least not in the States.

The bulldog, Marlborough still between her lips, revved her engine one final time before pulling out into the traffic, flags waving in the wind and scooters dodging to get out of her way. “Wow, I want to know her story,” Marc said. Almost on cue the rain started and we figured that was the end of our evening.

Our first night in Chiang Mai made us feel like we were sitting outside a bar on Folsom Street in San Francisco—we felt right at home. It’s a good thing since we will be here for a full week.