Si Karen..
While we had planned our trip way ahead, when we got to Chiang Mai, we never had the Karen included in our trip.
For those who don't know, the Karen are the long necks.
When I was a kid, I was amazed seeing these people on TV, including the African tribe who wore wooden plates as earrings and lip rings.
Upon arrival at the Chiang Mai airport, several pictures of the longnecks were displayed in the tourist menu boards that the tour guides were holding. It caught my attention and researched on how we can do it, sans these overpriced tour guides.
There's an ongoing debate on whether one should visit the Karen or not. Some groups don't promote going into the village primarily because it is said that the tribe's practice of elongating their legs and neck for beauty aren't good for their overall health, and visiting and paying them just tolerates it.
And some groups promote it for the simple reason of giving them livelihood and something they can earn from. Though when we went there, I actually felt a bit awkward, because it kind of reminded me of a zoo.
They're in their own huts, each selling jewelry and hand made sarongs.
People would walk from hut to hut, as if it were from one cage to another, and observe the longnecks as they weave, or create the jewelry souvenirs. It was kind of awkward, especially when you ask them for a photo..
Entrance going to the village is at 500 baht, a bit steep, but that's the standard entrance fee to the village. And once you enter, don't expect a thriving village. As I said, expect something more of a zoo. Sad, but true.
