Sunday, January 16, 2022
Another Bowl of Khao Soi

Started the day hosting a Zoom meeting of the San Diego Chapter of American Pilgrims on the Camino. This a local branch of American Pilgrims on the Camino, whose charter is to promote and provide information to people interested in the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, where at the cathedral there the remains of Saint James the Greater are said to be interred. This pilgrimage is called the Camino de Santiago, and people have been making pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela for over a thousand years. The pilgrimage popularity rises and falls at times (for example, people seldom make a pilgrimage when wars are occurring), and has in the last 25 years seen a steady rise in popularity. I twice walked an 800 kilometer route known as the Camino Frances that starts in southwestern France. I have been a supporter of the local San Diego Chapter of American Pilgrims, and during the pandemic, I was talking to our chapter coordinator, and said that with the rise in popularity of Zoom meetings during the pandemic, perhaps the San Diego Chapter should have a Zoom meeting to allow people to meet safely and conveniently and talk in real-time with the group. She answered that American Pilgrims has a Zoom account we can use, if you will host. Realizing I had essentially offered, I accepted and we have been having monthly Zoom meetings for over a year. Being just after the holidays and with the worry about rising COVID cases, this meeting was lightly attended. Nevertheless, I am happy to answer questions or share ideas about the pilgrimage even if just one person is seeking information or maybe a little encouragement.

After the Zoom meeting, and small breakfast I went to Wild Rose Yoga for class with Annie. As expected, another good class, uplifting and elegant. Annie is slowing us down to focus on the small details of poses and the transitions between them. Sometimes going slowly is harder, and it really integrates the physical practice into the mental aspect deeply.

Rudy was off to a Tok Sen session with Noon, and I went to Khun Kae’s Juice for a post-yoga smoothie bowl. Rudy and I planned to meet and walk to Dash to try their khao soi.

Dash is a little hidden away in the sois off the main roads in the southeast quadrant of the old city. I’ve been asked about what exactly are these “sois.” They are smaller than a road, larger than an alley, I think of them as a “lane”. Here are a few pictures walking from See You Soon to Dash in the sois:

First, Prapokkloa Soi 6 that runs from Prapokkloa Road to Ratchapakhinia Road by Wat Muen Tum on the right:

Then turn right, down Ratchapakhinai for 30 meters and then to the left up Ratchamanka Soi 3 to Ratchamanka Soi 3/1:

Then Ratchamanka Soi 3/1 splits and I take the right unnamed soi that very quickly connects to Moon Muang Road Soi 2 where Dash is located:

And just 40 meters ahead is Dash, a very popular restaurant.

We sat inside – really it is all “outside” since the walls are folding doors that are open, but the “inside” is under the roof, and rain is threatening. We both ordered khao sio with chicken. And it did not disappoint.

Very tasty, a little spicy but not overpowering, and not at all greasy as was the khao soi at the very locally popular Khai Soi Prakit Kaat Gorm south of the old city. A very good meal.

After dinner, we wandered through the Sunday Night Market, and each had a slice of almond chocolate tart. Very good, and a nice ending to a mellow day in Chiang Mai.

Next: Tok Sen and dinner at Arno’s