Author: Lisa Parham

It’s hard to believe it has been almost three months since I returned back to the Land of Smiles from my solo trip to Vietnam.  Yet thinking back, everything is still fresh in my mind and is still bringing me such joy to recall all the greatness I experienced in those weeks traveling throughout such an amazing country.  From trekking to various homestays, volunteer teaching and helping at an orphanage, exploring hidden gems with the locals and partying with new friends from all over the world, I saw some of the most beautiful views in the most serene places and had some drinks in some of the wildest.

I could literally probably write a book on my experiences throughout Vietnam alone.  Making the most out of each new day, I am beyond grateful for all the new places I saw, foods I tried, conversations I had, and friends I made.  While I may never get the chance to return to some of the places or cross paths with some of the people, each experience is one that I am eternally grateful for, as they leave me with a such a special memory, each happening for a reason.

My journey throughout Vietnam started in the north and ended in the south, traveling by planes, trains, and buses throughout.  While I mostly had an idea of where I wanted to go, I know plans always change, and all that really mattered was I catch my flight back home from Saigon.   Starting my adventures in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, I was quick to notice the immediate differences between Vietnam and Thailand.  Thailand is such a slower pace of life, while Vietnam is quite the opposite.  Things seem to go at a much faster pace there, which was easily seen just by looking at the busy streets.  With hardly any street lights, crossing the street can give you quite a bit of anxiety.  I quickly learned the best way to attempt this enigma was to keep my head down and just walk at a steady pace, with my fingers crossed that I didn’t get hit by a car.  Luckily for me, this strategy worked out well.

On the streets of Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital

From Hanoi, I traveled onto Sapa which was one of my favorite places in Vietnam and quite easily one of my favorite places I’ve seen throughout the world.  I had planned a 2 day trek in which I would hike almost 30 kilometers throughout the beautiful rice paddy fields with a local man from the Hmong tribe as my guide.  I was also lucky enough to enjoy a homestay where three generations of family from the Red Dao tribe welcomed me into their home.  Here I played with the adorable babies and helped one of the ladies with her daily chores.  It was during this time that I found such pure bliss, thinking about my breathtaking hike from the first day and enjoying the simple way of living with this family.  I find it so beautiful that while we cannot always communicate with people due to language barriers, there is the undeniable ways of communicating through one’s actions and love we can share.  While I wasn’t able to speak much with the family, we still shared so many laughs and smiles.  During my homestay with the family, I was really taken in and treated so wonderfully.  Since the Red Dao are known for their expertise in herbal medicine, as well as usage of plants from the land to treat many illnesses,  I found myself lucky enough to enjoy a herbal bath in a wooden barrel made up of their various herbs.  The family also prepared for me an amazing homecooked meal consisting of spring rolls, tofu dishes, and lots of rice wine!

Drinking rice wine with a local family

I really cannot express enough how beautiful Sapa was.  Two days hiking through rice paddy fields, up and down through the rolling hills, across creeks and villages, standing on top of these peaks and looking down into some of the most beautiful views imaginable, there were moments where I stood silent with tears in my eyes.  Pictures of this place cannot even do justice.  If anyone has a chance to go to Vietnam, do not miss this amazing place.

Hiking through the rice paddy fields in Sapa

Another one of my favorite places in Vietnam was Ninh Binh.  It’s a place that is on the off-beaten path where you will find hardly any tourists and just peace and quiet.  After my two day hike, this was just what I needed.  I spent my time in Ninh Binh riding a bicycle around to explore the small villages and various caves.  I enjoyed time on a small boat that took me along the river with limestone cliffs surrounding me and through tiny caves.  In my three days I spent in this small town, I stayed at another homestay where I was also fortunate enough to teach English to some local children.  It was an incredible experience, and it is one that I will never forget.

In Ninh Binh on a boat traveling past limestone cliffs and caves

From Ninh Binh I went onto Hue where I met some amazing people, had some delicious food, and caught up on a lot of Vietnamese war history.  Afterwards, I traveled to Hoi An where I fell in love with the small city, wild nightlife, inspiring locals, and beautiful beaches.  I extended my time here because it was absolutely incredible.  From the lanterns that hang in the trees lighting up the night to the stunning sunsets on the beautiful beaches, there was so many little things that made this place so memorable.  I spent my days crab fishing in a traditional bamboo boat, snorkeling off some of the most amazing beaches, volunteering at an orphanage, and exploring new parts of the city with a local who showed me not only his favorite secret spots of town, but shared with me his horrific, yet inspiring story.

I met this incredible man while eating at this amazing vegan restaurant close by my hostel I was staying at.  He walked over to my table and gave me a flower origami he made.  I invited him to come eat dinner with me and offered to buy him a beer.  We talked and laughed, and he offered to show me around town the next day.  I met with him early in the morning back at the same vegan restaurant for some coffee before hopping on the back of his motorbike and driving off to the largest organic farm in Hoi An.  From there, he took me to his favorite private beaches on our way up to Danang.  We visited the Lady Buddha statue situated on the top of the mountains where we took in the beautiful views of the miles of beaches that lay beneath us.  We sat inside of the temple where this man then shared with me his incredible story.

There are many hidden truths that we often don’t hear about from the Vietnam War.  Terrible, hidden secrets that are still affecting people to do this day because of things that occurred in this country.  You see, Danang, which is so beautiful nowadays, has an ugly past.  While I rode on the back of this man’s motorbike to the top of this mountain, I noticed these beaches to my right that are known for being some of the most beautiful in this world.  But to my left, I also noticed this ugly, deserted land with no vegetation, no green.  It almost looked eerie, which was so strange because to the right it was so astonishing.  But soon, it all made sense.  I came to learn Danang was heavily affected by Agent Orange.  Majority of Americans probably have no idea what this even is because I sure didn’t until hearing his story.  During the Vietnam War, we decided to spray Agent Orange into the air and onto fields, forests, and villages in hopes of driving out the Viet Cong.  Agent Orange contained some of the strongest chemicals known to man.  What we didn’t know were the effects it would have on people, not only then but for years to come.  This chemical infected land (hence why vegetation still isn’t growing in these areas) and waters, which in turn contaminated the fish people ate unknowingly.  The devastating effects of this chemical are heartbreaking.  I saw photos in Ho Chi Minh City’s War Museum which brought me to tears, and here I was, witnessing a man who was also directly affected as a child.  He had developed Parkinson’s Disease as a result of living in this area while its forests were sprayed.  While his story was sad and not uncommon, it was also very inspiring.  While at the Lady Buddha, he brought out an instrument he made from a bomb fragment from the Vietnam War.  While you would think someone might want to block out all connections from something that has completely changed his life, this man chose to make something beautiful from it.  We sat at a temple and played music for a long time, and it was truly inspiring to me.  I am truly grateful for getting to meet this man and letting him shine such a light into my life.

Playing the instrument the man made from a bomb fragment from the Vietnam War

After Hoi An, I flew down to Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City, a very unique city with a lot of history.  It is absolutely huge and full of life at all hours.  I got to experience a lot of history through the various museums I visited, eat some of the most delicious food, and drink some of the world’s cheapest beer.  I also got to go to a brewery that was incredible!  I spent time with some wonderful people and shared memories I will forever cherish.  Saigon is so chaotic, but full of life, and while I definitely enjoyed my time there, it was nice to head back to Bangkok to simply relax after spending a few days in the chaos and the long vacation throughout Vietnam.

Throughout my time through Vietnam I was reminded how great it is to appreciate the simple things in life.  We are so fortunate for so much in our lives, and we often take them for granted.  I was also reminded how lucky I am for my health.  I am blessed to have two feet that can carry me to all these amazing places, for my eyes to see the beauty that lies in them, for my mouth to speak, laugh, and smile with all the wonderful people I meet along the way, and for my ears to hear the stories these people have to share.

Appreciate yesterday, and live today. Live simply. Love generously. Learn constantly.

I spent some time this weekend down on the beach, soaking up sun rays, sippin’ on some Leos and looking out at the glistening water.  Watching the sun set over the Gulf of Thailand, I couldn’t help but think how I lucky I am to be in such an amazing place.  I  have been living in Thailand for over 7 months now (where does the time go?!).  I am no longer a tourist just visiting this beautiful place.  This place is now my home.  All of this got me further thinking of the differences from how I felt when I first got here and how I think now about all the strange and crazy things that occur in my daily life; the things that I swear only happen when in Thailand.  You know you have been here awhile when..

1.  When you see another farang and think, “Where the hell did you come from?!”

Farang/falang is what Thai’s call us Westerners.  It’s not a word meant to be an insult in any way.  It’s more so just matter of fact.  We clearly stick out in this country, and when you see another fellow falang, you secretly get excited.  You want to know their story.  Which leads me to..

2.  When you can tell the difference between tourists and other expats.

A giant backpacker’s pack is obviously a dead giveaway, but with the elephant pants and Chang shirts.. you aren’t fooling anyone either.  Although I totally get it because I love my elephants pants too, and I am guilty of owning a Chang shirt.

3.  Your accuracy on being able to tell the difference with ladyboys is about 90%.

(Not a bad thing at all!  I honestly admire Thailand for their acceptance of how many ladyboys are a part of the culture.)

4.  You know the set prices for fruit and other food on the street.

Street food is probably one of my favorite things about Thailand.  I can walk outside my place and buy pineapple, watermelon, guava, coconuts, Thai sausage, or pork on a stick all for less than a dollar.  I also know how much each of these costs, so when a street vendor thinks he might be able to get ten extra baht off me and charge me some ‘farang prices’, I can’t help but laugh.

5.  Your idea of a restaurant is a place outside with a few wooden tables, plastic chairs, and if you are lucky, some fans.

And seriously, these places are the best.  Fancy restaurants are those that are indoors with the air-con.  I’ll gladly go to a restaurant outside, down the sketchy alley, where the chicken is hanging up, and I can see the kitchen stove from my table.

6.  Finding a bathroom with a western toilet, toilet paper, and soap can literally make your day.

When I say western toilet, I mean a toilet that is off the ground that you do not step on.  One that you do not ‘flush’ by pouring buckets of water into the toilet bowl, but by simply pushing a button.  Having toilet paper and soap in a bathroom is also a luxury.  So finding a bathroom with all of these is enough to honestly make your day.

7.  You have gotten used to the no booze from 2 to 5 PM law, and you know how to plan ahead accordingly.

Or you know what guy is selling some Leo’s on the street that will be around to save the day.

8.  Your idea of drinking may involve buying a cheap bottle of Thai whiskey from a 7/11 and drinking it on the sidewalk.

The locals do it all the time, so why not?

9.  Your idea of shopping is hitting up the vendors on the streets and the weekend markets because the malls are way too expensive.

Seriously.  You have to really consider even spending more than $3 on a shirt from a vendor.  Going to a mall to spend over $20 on piece of clothing sounds insane.  I’m all about the 100 baht shirts, dresses, and shoes.

10.  You’ve grown accustomed to the fact you’re always going to be hot and sweaty.

It’s Thailand.  This place is always going to be hot.  (Except at night during the cool season, when if it even gets down to 70 degrees, you are freezing.  I tend to wear sweaters when it gets this ‘cold’.)  I know how to prepare in the heat in true Thai fashion.  I wear baby powder on my face now, and I know if I absolutely dying, hopping into a 7/11 for a quick cool off is sometimes just what you need.

11.  You no longer get scared when riding on the back of a motorbike towards oncoming traffic.

There are no laws of the road here.  So when you hop on the back of a motorbike taxi, you are now used to your driver squeezing in between cars, in between such small spaces that your backpack tends to hit other cars.  You are used to the fact the drivers will go down the wrong way towards incoming traffic and even up on the sidewalks.

12.  You get slightly offended when strangers on the street don’t smile at you.

Thailand is the land of a thousand smiles.  When you are a farang here, you stick out.  People are going to stare, and if you just smile at them, they smile back.  If they don’t, you have been living here long enough to know, “Man they must have had a bad day to not smile at you.”

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Oh, I am so beyond lucky to call this place home; to live in a beautiful place with beautiful people.  I am grateful to live somewhere that amazes me more and more each day; a place where I find myself laughing and smiling at the little things in life.

If I can understand this language without words, I can learn to understand the world.

I have slacked on keeping this updated recently, but in my defense so much has been happening!  In the last few weeks, I got to experience quite possibly the greatest holiday ever, and I also finally started my new job!  (Okay, when I put it like that, it doesn’t seem like so much has happened, but I have literally been on straight Go mode.)  Since I have been such a slacker, I thought I would go ahead and include just a semi short and sweet list of things I have learned throughout this time because you should be learning something new every day of your life!

1.  Songkran is the greatest holiday ever.

If you have never heard about this holiday, you are seriously missing out.  If you have heard of this holiday, chances are you have dreamed about taking part.  Songkran is the Thai New Year, and Thais definitely do it right.  There are a few rituals with roots that run deep.  One of them is the splashing of water as a symbol of cleansing and renewal.  It is done with good wishes for the refreshment of your spirit in honor of the new year.  Talc (a white pasty substance) is also put on people, generally on your face.  This is sign of protection and is to keep away evil in the upcoming year.  While the history of this holiday is neat, taking part in it is absolutely amazing.  When you were a child, you literally probably dreamed of a water fight as big as this.  The whole country is basically shut down, and everyone breaks out into an epic water throwdown.  If you are walking outside of your house, you are not safe.  Even if I dared to try and make it to 7-11 for a water, I was walking into a war zone with people waiting for me with hoses and buckets of water.  It did not matter how much you pleaded to not get soaked, you were a target simply by breathing.  

Songkran lasts a full three days throughout the entire country.  In some parts of Bangkok, it will last five.  Needless to say, it was one of the craziest, most exhausting, yet memorable times of my life.  

Even little nuggets had guns ready to shoot you.

2.  I am in love with Thai people.

Seriously in the last few weeks, I have been given constant reminders on how amazingly kind Thai people are.  I went out one night and had a few drinks.  When I went to get out of the taxi, I accidentally gave the driver 500 baht instead of the 100 baht I owed him.  Instead of him secretly taking a huge tip for himself, he informed me of my mistake.   Kudos to that guy!  

I have never been to another place before where you can walk outside and strangers smile at you and say, “Hello”; where strangers offer you the food on their plate and the drinks in their hand.  I fall in love with this country and the people more and more every day.  I love how happy just walking down the street makes me simply because the people I encounter along the way remind me how awesome humankind can be.

3.  I might have a plant obsession.

I think I have grown to have a plant obsession.  In the last month I have bought 13 more plants for my new home, including one more I just purchased tonight.  I can’t help it.  I see these beautiful plants, and they are just screaming for a new home.  Plus there are some awesome plants that grow in this tropical weather.  Is there such thing as a Plants Anonymous? 

4.  Obsession #2:  Cooking.

I finally have a stove.  Like an actual, real stove.  Most of you are probably thinking I am nuts, but in Thailand, these bad boys aren’t common.  So since moving into a new place with a stove, I have been cooking more than Martha Stewart.  It’s one of those things you take for granted when you have it, so once you get one after not having one for so long, I think it’s just natural to become a bit obsessed with using it.

Panang chicken curry

5.  I absolutely

100% love my job.

Earlier this week, I was asked if I love my new job.  In this same conversation, I was asked if this is the first time I am truly happy with a job.  It got me really thinking.  I have never hated a job, but I have also never really loved a job either.  Sure, I enjoyed my previous teaching jobs, and I loved my students.  But I also had so much pressure and stress from teaching in the States.  In America there is so much at stake with your students.  They have to pass state standardized tests, and if their results aren’t good, it’s your fault.  Teaching in America meant that I didn’t have much of a life either.  My work life and home life were intertwined because I had to take home my work every day.  Going out to dinner with my family meant that I was bringing papers to grade, so I could still accomplish my work and see my family.  My job never really ended.  

Now I’m not saying that teaching in Thailand is a breeze, but scheduled in my days I actually get planning periods to plan my lessons.  Throughout the week, I am able to complete my work at work, and I get to enjoy my life outside of work.  I get to enjoy what I am teaching the students because there isn’t pressure on me or my students to pass an exam that tells them how ‘smart’ they are.  I wake up every day, and I am actually excited to go into work.  I look forward to teaching every one of my classes.  I am in love with my school and the positive attitudes of my co-workers.  The students are amazing, and I have loved planning lessons for them.  I have started to learn so much about myself as a teacher, and I am eager to continue to grow and make myself better, not only for myself but for my students.

6.  The little things in life make me the happiest.

In the last month, I have found the little things in life to just make me burst with gratitude overload.  My friends, my family, food, a clean house, books, plants, cooking, working out, yoga.. I could go on forever.  From Skype dates with the family to friends sending their love, from amazing food to great books, from awesome plants to nights in cleaning and cooking.. it has been the little things that have brought the biggest smiles to my face.  For everyone reading this who has reached out to me lately, thank you.  You have brought such a bright light into my life that I just feel the urge to pass onto as many people as I possibly can.  This world we live in is too amazing and our lives too short to not appreciate all the greatness that surrounds us.  So thank you to everyone who helps me realize that without probably even realizing you help me see that light!

Gratitude can transform common days into Thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.  – William Arthur Ward

It’s hard to believe it has been a week since I began my move to this part of town!  I am all settled in though and already feel as though I have made my house a home.  I am in love with my place and my neighborhood.  I get to wake up every day and look out my window to the amazing views of Bangkok.  There is a street market right outside of my place that goes on every night that sells everything from dressers to shoes to fresh fruits to contacts to water guns to live birds.  I love that I can walk down to grab my meals from the street vendors, or I can grab whatever ingredients at the market to cook (since I have a stove finally!)  I have been waking up every morning with a smile on my face, and I absolutely love it!  Such a good feeling to look around and know that all your hard work has paid off, that this moment you are living in is so amazing and more than you could have ever dreamed.

My view from my bedroom.

I have spent this last week unpacking, arranging, rearranging, and organizing.  Buying the little things to make the “big” difference in my new place.  I don’t feel as though I am finished, but then again, are you ever really finished?  It’s been an exciting little journey so far, getting to go explore and look for all the perfect things to add to my home.  (Although I have realized that my new favorite 60 baht shop needs to be avoided at all costs because it is a bit dangerous!)  I have absolutely loved my time off of work to just relax and venture out around my new stomping grounds.

Evy helped me move in, and on that first day we found an awesome Korean restaurant right by my place that I am already obsessed with.  (Seriously craving it at this very moment.)  They brought us some food before our meal, and I still am not sure what it was, or how we were even supposed to go about eating it.  We kind of just threw it all together though to create our own little meal with it, and it was amazing!  (If anyone knows anything about Korean food, a little help about what this was or how to eat it would be greatly appreciated for future reference.)

This last week also marked the somewhat ‘start’ of my new job.  Basically, I got to go in and get the run through on procedures and get an idea on the material I will be teaching.  I also officially signed my two year contract at my new school!  They helped me get all my visa stuff situated and my new bank account set up.  Seriously so grateful for all their help on these important things that would have been a pain to do on my own.  But after two days of waking up early, I am glad to be back to enjoying the rest of my summer vacation!

This past weekend I was able to enjoy a new experience all in itself.  One that I did not think I would be doing, especially in Thailand: I joined my friend in celebrating Passover.  Now, I am not Jewish, but I am all about experiencing new things, so I was really excited to accompany her.  I had no idea what to expect though, so when I left Friday night I was a bit anxious for what was to come.  We showed up to this hotel where we joined a large group of others who had come together to celebrate the first night of Passover.  The Seder was really neat!  The Rabbi spoke in English, so I was able to understand what was going on.  If you have never been to a Seder, it is when the story of Exodus is told.  (Think Rugrats: I ended up watching the Rugrats Passover episode, and to my surprise, it was pretty dead on!)  The Seder involves the story telling, lots of wine, and a feast.  I really enjoyed reading and listening to this story, and it was great to meet people from all over the world who had gathered for this special day.

I enjoyed the first night of Seder so much that I told my friend I would gladly join her for the second night.  We went to the Chabad house in Bangkok.  We sat around and waited for the prayers to be finished, and then we were brought upstairs to where the Rabbi lived with his family.  This night was a much smaller group with everyone sitting in the Rabbi’s dining room.  Since everyone besides me spoke Hebrew, the Seder was done in Hebrew.  Luckily I had an English transcript of the haggadah and had already gone through this once, so I had an idea of what was going on.  To be able to take part was a truly incredible experience.  During both nights of Seder, I felt very welcomed, as both Rabbis had invited me to come join them again.  It was a really unique experience, and I loved being able to learn more about Passover and how it all began.

I was reminded this week about the importance of new experiences.  I think it is really important to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.  When you experience something new, you expand your mind in so many ways that you may not have once thought were possible.  You open yourself up to see the world in a new way.  It is through these new ideas and experiences in life that allow us to grow.  Get out and try something new today.  Take a risk.  Grow.  

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions”  – Oliver Wendell Holmes

I am sitting here staring at bare walls and bags piled.  All of my belongings tightly packed away, ready for the next destination.  In less than eight hours I will be moving into my new home!  I am beyond ecstatic for yet another new chapter in my life.  This upcoming month has nothing but promise with new doors opening.  A new home and a new job are on the way!  Bring it on April!

This past week has been busy, yet relaxing, hectic yet smooth sailing.  I came back home from vacation exhausted, but I knew I had a lot to check off on my To Do list.  With my lease ending at the end of the month, I knew I had to kick it into high gear to look for a new place to call home.  (I did mention I am the queen of procrastination, right?)  In Thailand, house hunting is a little different than back home.  There are a few websites you can use to begin your search, but only a few available apartments are actually listed on these.  I realized my best bet would be to complete my search on foot.  I knew what area of Bangkok I wanted to live in that would still be relatively close to school, so that’s where my search began.  I dedicated a whole day, going into every condo I walked passed.  I saw over a dozen places, and while I liked some, nothing really shouted, “THIS IS IT!”  About to give up on my house hunt for the day, I figured I would try one last place.  The lady showed me the room, and while it was nice, it definitely didn’t have the storage I needed.  She told me she knew of a place I might like if I wanted to go with her to see another building.  Telling myself, “Why not just one more for today?” I figured I would give it a shot.  Lucky for me, this place ended up being exactly what I wanted!  I have hot water, a stove, and even a washing machine!  Not to mention, I am on the 24th floor of my building, so I have a pretty awesome view of Bangkok as well.

The rest of my week has been dedicated to seeing how long I could possibly procrastinate packing all of my stuff up, which I finally completed today.  Here I am though, all ready to move, anxiously awaiting morning when I can just get into my beautiful new home!  I am so ready to just unpack all of my stuff and start decorating my new place to make it my own.  I already have lists going of what I need and what DIY projects I can get started on.  I still have three weeks left of my summer vacation before I start teaching.  While I am beyond excited to be back in the classroom, I am eager to get started on some home projects.  I have already started my research on what plants I can grow on my balcony, and I have began looking up recipes since I will finally have my own stove!  You don’t realize how much you miss cooking until you are stripped of the tools to do so.

In just eight hours, I close the doors to my first home in Bangkok where I made many memories with friends who became family.  I leave a part of the city that I have truly grown to love, and I say goodbye to all the people who made my life here so much brighter.  I am going to miss the children who would run to greet me every time I walk passed them during their soccer games, the man who offered me whiskey out of his glass and the food on his plate every time I saw him, the motorbike taxi drivers who would drive me to 7/11 in the mornings on my way to school just so I could get my coffee, and the security guard who would talk to me while I would do my laundry.  Most importantly, I am going to miss the guys who completely opened their arms and welcomed me since the moment I moved here.  They have become my family and have been there for me every step of the way.  While I am sad to leave this all behind, I am so excited for this new chapter of my life.  I cannot wait to explore a new part of town and create new memories.

“The future is not some place we are going, but one we are creating.  The paths are not to be found, but made.  And the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination.”  – John Schaar

When I first started this current weekly update on my adventures through life, I was sitting in paradise, sippin’ on a Leo, watching the boats float by in the Andaman Sea and the sky change colors as the sun slowly set over the mountains.  Currently, I am sitting in my bed with the fan blasting on me, rethinking all that has happened in the last two weeks, and I can’t help but think, “Ain’t life grand?”

So I arrived back from Malaysia on a Wednesday night, and by Friday I was off on yet another adventure.  I slept for a few hours Thursday night and woke up early bird Friday to head to the airport.  My neighbor growing up and a dear friend of mine since I was five years old was coming to visit me in Thailand.  SUCH a wonderful feeling to see a familiar face from back home!  Tristen arrived early in the morning, and we spent the day relaxing in my condo before hopping on an overnight bus down to Krabi.  

The South

Our view from our hotel in Phuket.  

We woke up Saturday with palm trees all around us and beautiful, green, mountain cliffs hanging above us. Soakin’ up the stunning views surrounding us, we caught a taxi from the bus station to our hotel.  When we arrived we were greeted by the nicest ladies in a secluded, magical garden tucked away from all tourists.  We spent the rest of our day on a small beach in Ao Nang, where we caught some sun rays, cooled off in the clear, blue water, watched the beautiful sunset, and ate some Thai for dinner on the beachfront.

On Sunday we woke up at the crack of dawn and grabbed breakfast from our amazing hosts at Baan Habeebee.  They treated us to an awesome breakfast and loads of smiles from their genuine kindness.  (Seriously, they were the nicest people.  If you are ever looking for a place to stay in Krabi, make this place it!)  We then made our way to the pier where we went on a Four Islands tour.  Oh my goodness.  To try and explain how beautiful these islands are would honestly be near impossible.  Our first stop was Railay Beach which is famous for rock climbers.  There were beautiful limestone caves that towered over the clear, blue water.  The trip out there in our longtail boat was pretty amazing itself.  Each direction you looked there were views that were like something out of a dream.  We were on this particular island for just a short time, watching the rock climbers and laying out, before we hopped back on our cute boat and took off for Chicken Island.  Chicken Island, or Koh Khai, is an island nicknamed for it’s chicken head resemblance.  We jumped off the boat and into the water where we were able to swim and snorkel with some pretty beautiful fish and above some neat coral.  Our tour just kept getting better and better as we then ventured off to Koh Tap (Tub Island).  We pulled up on the white sandy beaches where we climbed up the hill to eat lunch with some stunning views.  There weren’t a lot of people here, so it was really awesome to see a few longtail boats posted up on the picture-perfect beach.  We finished off our tour at Koh Poda Island, which was just unreal.  Monkeys climbed in the trees and the sun beat down on us as we laid out in the heat, mesmerized by the beauty surrounding us.  

Lucky for us, this wasn’t the end of our perfect little day.  We ended up becoming friends with our tour guide, and we went back with him into the jungle where he lived.  It was probably one of my highlights of the day to be able to just hang out with some locals and see how they lived.  We were surrounded by a bunch of cool people, hanging out on some bamboo mats under the palm trees.  For dinner we went to a delicious Thai seafood restaurant where we watched the sunset and created our own pineapple beer.  I snapped a photo of the sunset, and looked at my camera to make sure it turned out.  Looking at it, I saw how unreal it looked.  It honestly looked faked; as if I had taken a picture of a picture.  The whole day seemed surreal: from the spectacular islands, to the unforgettable memories in the jungle, to the friendly locals; I couldn’t be more grateful for this life that I live, for this life that I love.  

On Monday morning we set off on a ferry to Ko Phi Phi.  If you have ever Google’d Thailand, you probably saw pictures of the beach, and this is pretty much what my beautiful surroundings consisted of.  Tristen and I were too sunburned to do much of anything, so we sat in the shade on our awesome rooftop and just enjoyed the view.  We were able to grab some dinner at the Banana Bar, where I got to indulge in some Mexican food for pretty cheap (score!) and enjoy the free movie screening of The Beach, which was actually filmed on this island.  At night, we walked up the beach and watched all the amazing fire spinners.  Seriously, I have never seen so many people spin fire poi as incredible as these people.  I felt really lucky I got to lay my eyes upon these talented artists!  It was crazy cool.

On the beach in Phuket.

Tuesday morning we hopped back onto yet another ferry, this time heading off to Thailand’s best known paradise: Phuket.  Tristen’s definitely a planner, and she got us hooked up at this little gem tucked away on a private beach.  We spent the next two days laying on the beach and just enjoying the simple beach life, soaking up the sun and sippin on good drinks.  We saw some of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing. On our last day in Phuket, we ventured off to enjoy the quiet streets and shopping of Old Phuket Town, the stunning views of Big Buddha overlooking the whole island, and caught one last breathtaking sunset on the mountain with the most delicious drinks.  We finished off our final night in paradise with dinner in the crazy area of Patong Beach.  Phuket was an amazing time, and I definitely plan on visiting again soon.

The North

Out to dinner with Evy and Tristen.

Tristen and I spent Friday catching a flight to Chiang Mai, one of my all time favorite places in Thailand.  Chiang Mai was the first place I lived and where I first spent my time in Thailand.  It holds a special place in my heart, and that whole city in itself is just something so magical.  That night upon arriving, I was lucky enough to meet up with Evy and her amazing mother and step-dad.  We all went out to eat at an amazing restaurant, and I was reminded of how spoiled I was in terms of food when I was living up in Chiang Mai.  The food up north is seriously, in my opinion, the best food in Thailand.  Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.  All three of us girls went back to our old stomping grounds at Zoe’s where we danced and enjoyed mojitos from our old favorite place.  The night life in Chiang Mai is definitely a good time, and Tristen and I made the best of it, hanging out with locals from The Gypsy House and staying out until 4 in the morning.  

We woke up a few hours later to catch a tour through Doi Inthanon National Park, one of the most majestic places in Chiang Mai.  We saw the beautiful Vajirathan and Siribhumi Waterfalls, and we climbed up to the highest peak in Thailand.  We also got the chance to explore the Karen tribe’s village, where we witnessed how they made some beautiful scarves, which was really neat.  We finished off our tour up at the Twin Pagodas, which is one of my favorite places.  This place is so amazing that is truly hard to even describe.  There are thousands of beautiful flowers everywhere, and the Twin Pagodas make you feel as though you are in one of Walt Disney’s magical lands.  I sat on the edge of a wall looking down into the endless hills and mountains below me.  This place is so serene that I could easily get lost for hours here.

Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai.

The next morning we woke up early (does anyone else see a pattern here?  We were seriously productive this vaca) to meet up with Evy and her awesome her mother and step-dad.  The five of us then headed up to Doi Suthep.  Doi Suthep is a beautiful temple on top of a mountain (Doi is the Thai word for mountain).  I absolutely love this place and the story behind it.
Little Thai History Lesson:  Doi Suthep was established in 1383 under King Ku Naone. A visiting monk had found a relic, which many had claimed to be a bone of Buddha.  The monk gave the king one half of this relic that possessed magical powers. The relic was then mounted on a white elephant, the most sacred animal in Thailand.  This elephant wandered the mountain until it died.  This spot where the elephant died was interpreted as an omen, the “chosen” spot, and is now where Doi Suthep stands.
I could probably go to Doi Suthep a million times and never get tired of seeing it.  This place is full of beauty.  Overlooking the city of Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep includes an astonishing gold temple, a beautiful emerald Buddha, an amazing smell of hundreds of burning incense, and the sounds of monks chanting and blessing you.  Just stepping foot at this place brings such an overwhelming sense of peace over you.  I am so glad I got to experience this place again with such a wonderful group.  (Thanks Janet and Michael for being so great!)  Evy, Tristen, and I then went out to a great lunch where I got to eat some real pizza.  (Obviously it was no Chicago pizza, but it was pretty amazing.)  We spent the final hours of our day exploring Chiang Mai’s Sunday market, which is enormous and has just about everything and anything you could possible want for super cheap.  After grabbing some delicious street food for dinner, Tristen and I hopped on our overnight bus for our next destination: Ayutthaya.

Central Thailand

Tristen enjoying a cricket on Khao San Road in Bangkok.

On Monday morning we arrived at the “bus stop” in Ayutthaya.  This bus stop wasn’t much of a bus stop though, but rather a wood-constructed covering that marked home for a group of motorbike taxi drivers located conveniently in the middle of nowhere alongside the highway.  It was equipped with some hammocks, a picnic table, and even had a television.  Since it was only 5:30 in the morning, and we couldn’t even arrive to our hotel until 8, the guys were kind enough to let us hang out with them.  I posted up in a hammock for a bit, but being so close to the highway, I couldn’t manage to fall asleep.  So Tristen and I decided to play a card game of War to kill some time.  The guys found this hilarious which made the game a bit more entertaining (gambling is illegal in Thailand, so seeing two falangs playing cards must have been quite the site. *Side note: we weren’t gambling, so we did nothing illegal because we would never break any laws.)  The men were really great though and even made us some coffee while we waited around.

When we finally arrived to our hotel, we ate some breakfast, and then decided to rent bicycles to do some exploring.  Ayutthaya is a really interesting little city.  It once used to be one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in the east side of the world.  It also used to be the capital of Thailand before the Burmese destroyed the city.  There’s a lot of neat history within the ruins of this place, and it’s a really cool place to see, when it’s not 100 degrees.  So we saw as much as we could before the heat got to be unbearable.  We then decided to head back to the hotel to swim and relax in the pool.  Once late afternoon came around and it cooled off a bit, we grabbed our bikes and headed to the Reclining Buddha to catch the sunset.  For dinner we grabbed some street food, and I was able to enjoy some of the best Pad Thai from a local vendor.  We met up with my friend, Isabel, from my TESOL course up in Chiang Mai.  We were on our way to grab a drink and some dessert when the unthinkable happened.  Some guy on a motorbike drove up next to me on my bicycle and grabbed my purse.  I have never been robbed before, so this came as a bit of a shock.  I had my wallet, phone, some of my only souvenirs I acquired from Laos, Malaysia, and Cambodia, and my camera.. the one thing that I am still a bit heartbroken about.  It had all my pictures from the last three months that I still had yet to upload.  But as my dear friend, Bill, says, “You can’t steal our good times from my memory bank.”  While it all happened so fast, in my head it still repeats in slow motion.  I can’t sit here and play the “What If” game though because that never does any good.  I am pretty lucky though.  Why?  Obviously not because I got robbed, but because things could be much worse; because I came to realize that night how truly lucky I am.  Never once in my life have I ever felt the need to take from another person.  That guy who stole from me obviously felt that he had to have my purse.  He had to take that risk that there might be something of value to him in there that would help him get by a little bit easier.  I realized that night how lucky I am because I am able to earn what I own, and I don’t have to take in order to have what I do.  So in the scheme of things, it sucks I no longer have those things, but they are all materialistic items, and no one can steal what’s stored in my memory bank.  (Special shout out to the random guy who came and brought me a beer to help me feel better, Tristen and Isabel for being sweethearts and sticking around at the police station with me, and my lovely little brother for always knowing how to bringing smiles and laughter to my rough nights.)

The next morning Tristen and I headed back to my place in Bangkok.  We spent her last two days taking it pretty easy.  Tuesday night we met up with my lovely friend Sara Beth for dinner out on Khao San Road, where I was graced with the pleasure of catching up with her kind, sweet soul.  On Tristen’s final night, we grabbed dinner at my favorite place close by with some of my awesome friends.  

It was an amazing two weeks of traveling around this country that I now call home.  It was wonderful to explore places old and new.  We had some crazy adventures and some relaxing days.  We made new friends, and I was able to catch up with some old friends along the way.  Through the good and bad, there isn’t a thing I would change about the experiences and memories we created.  Life has a funny way of working sometimes, but I am eternally grateful for all it throws at me.  I am grateful for this life that I get enjoy each day, and I am determined to seek out the joys in every new day that comes my way.  

“When each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises.”  

Do you ever get moments where you feel like a reset button has been pushed?  Where you wake up and feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders and your worries have faded away?  Where your thoughts start to follow your vision (and dance in the sun)?  I can see the path ahead of me, and it all makes sense (I must confess!)  Okay, enough of the musical references..

The last week has been full of great changes, and I am determined to keep this positive ball rollin’.  When I reflect on all that has happened this last week, it seems pretty wild to think it has only been one week.  No complaints though because it has just been one good thing after another! 

When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.  – The Alchemist

I officially finished my first teaching job in Thailand!  Yay!  As with every job, there are sure to be some times where you aren’t absolutely in love with your job 100% of the time, but I do know that I 100% love my passion for teaching, with no exception to that being in Thailand.  So looking back, I am overall so pleased about the start of this journey of teaching overseas.  I often get asked the question how it is teaching English out here.   I feel like it’s sort of a difficult question to answer.  If I asked you how your job is, trying to narrow down what you do every day, day after day, to just a short response isn’t exactly an easy task, especially when your day-to-day tasks are never the same.  So if I had to put my experiences, my lessons, my favorite parts, and my struggles into something short and sweet, I guess this is it.

Patience

In general, teaching requires a lot of patience.  Teaching in Thailand, however, requires even more.  Oh, we didn’t tell you that you didn’t need to prepare any lessons today because the students are going on field trips?  Oh, we forgot to mention you are going to have to teach a class next period?  You had an exam scheduled for tomorrow? .. Well we thought you just knew there was no school tomorrow.  If teaching in Thai schools has taught me anything, it is the art of patience.  While I obviously don’t have it mastered, I can definitely say my patience level is at an all time high.  With the language barrier, there is sure to be some miscommunication along the way.  Things are also sure change at any moment, and you have to just go with the flow.  Mai pen rai.

Holidays and School Activities 

Celebrating holidays and having school-wide activities here are really like nothing I have ever seen before.  (Think Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade: Is it really necessary to do all that just for Thanksgiving?  No, but it’s still amazing to watch.  Okay, obviously it’s a much smaller scale of all that, but it’s still pretty extravagant.)  The amount of effort and hard work these students put into their ideas and projects to contribute to the outcomes of these things is absolutely amazing.  I could never have dreamed of doing some of these things when I was their age.  Some of my personal favorites this past year included Christmas (yes, in a Buddhist country), Father’s Day (the King’s birthday), Academic Day (lots of food!), and Sport’s Day (hardly any sports).  These celebrations took up the entire school day, and they were pretty awesome to be a part of.  From the costumes to the decorations to the performances and everything in between, Thailand definitely knows how to put on a show.

Kids Who Make Your Day Instantly Brighter

There is always someone that when you see them they instantly make your day SO much better (at least, I would hope everyone has at least one person who helps them see brighter days simply by their existence).  While I maybe shouldn’t say this as a teacher, there is definitely at least one student in each of my classes who just makes it so worthwhile.  I wouldn’t even necessarily call them a favorite student.  When no one may seem to understand a new concept, or you are ready to just throw in the towel for the day, all it takes is looking at that one student: to see their eagerness in learning something new, their efforts in trying something hard, that little smile of theirs that when you look at them, it makes you smile; they make it all instantly better and each day worth it.  I appreciate those students so much who just their presence can make my days brighter.

I had a student who had brilliant English.  She would speak to me about different crystals her father and sister collected.  One day, I brought in all the crystals I have with me in Thailand, and she named off each of them.  Her face lit up as she shared with me what she knew about each one and her personal connections she had to them.  I had another student who could barely speak any English.  One day after class, I knew something was off with her.  As soon as I asked her if she was okay, she instantly broke down crying.  She rambled off in Thai what the problem was, and while I didn’t get much out of what she was saying, I knew it was a problem with another girl.  (Welcome to teaching 13 year old girls.)  Simply giving her a hug and listening to what she had to say was all it took for her mood to turn around, and for her to strive to do well in my class from there forward.  She began sitting in the front row every class, and I smiled each time she raised her hand to answer every question I asked.  By the end of this year, she was able to have a conversation with me in English and managed to pass all of her English finals.  In another class, I had a girl who speaks Thai and English pretty fluently.  During our Christmas activities, her mother came to school.  Her English wasn’t the greatest, but she managed to come up to talk to me.  I told her how proud she should be for raising such a great daughter.  It was truly a pleasure to have her daughter in my class because she was such a hard-worker and always did her personal best.  Her mother began crying, and she thanked me for all of my work with her.  These students probably do not even realize how much of a light they shone in my life, and how they made my days so much brighter.  I am sad I won’t be seeing these students in the halls next year, but I am glad that I was fortunate enough to teach them.  I am sure they aren’t even aware of how much I learned from them, but I am grateful for the lessons they taught me.

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Since Friday was my last day teaching, Evy and I went out for a little end of the year celebration.  We went to this local bar called Jam for a few drinks and some live music.  I met some awesome people from all over world and listened to some local bands play some pretty good jams.  What more could I want on a Friday night?

I woke up Saturday in an amazing hotel with a beautiful view overlooking Bangkok, courtesy of Evy’s dad and step mom, and there was an even more spectacular display of food for breakfast.  Holy cow!  Seriously, probably ate enough to feed one.  I even had a bagel and real bacon.  I felt like I had died and was in some magical place with all the food I could possibly dream of ever even wanting just sitting in front of me.  It was unreal.  We spent the rest of the day at Grand Palace, and finished the night off with an amazing dinner.  Later that night I set off on a plane for a last minute trip to Malaysia.

Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand with Evy

I arrived in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, early bird Sunday morning.  I then made my way to Chinatown where I found a hostel and spent the rest of my Sunday exploring that little area of town.  I managed to even find a cool Reggae bar where I played pool with some guys I met from Sierra Leone.

Monday I went to the Thai Embassy to get all my visa stuff situated (the whole reason for my last minute trip to Malaysia.)  Afterwards, I went off to adventure and explore what else KL had to offer.  I went to Merdaka Square and Katsuri Walk, both some neat shopping places.  I then saw Masjid Jamek Mosque, and I found a little gem of an Indian food place tucked away nearby.  I thought Thai food was good, but man, the food I got in Malaysia is right up there.  Later that night, I spent my time sippin’ on a good bottle of wine (finally!) on the roof in the heart of Chinatown and relaxing in a hammock under the Malaysian skies.  

Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

On Tuesday I ventured off to Batu Caves with an awesome guy I met.  We climbed to the top, and I was able to soak up the KL skyline from afar and chill with the monkeys.  To my surprise, the caves weren’t a touristy area, which was awesome to enjoy the beauty surrounding me without a bunch of people close by.  Later that night, I went on a nice stroll to check out the Petronas Twin Towers.  Wednesday morning I hopped back on a flight home to Bangkok, feeling rejuvenated after a nice few days away.  

Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

Malaysia was a really neat place.  The people were super friendly and so willing to help me with whatever I needed.  I had trouble finding the train one day, and a guy who was working, left his workplace to walk me there.  The food there was incredible, and I have a new obsession with Indian food.  I met some interesting people, including a group of guys who are cycling around the world.  While I was staying at my hostel, I found the book The Alchemist.  (If you haven’t read it yet, I suggest you get on it.)  Between that book and my experiences in Malaysia, I feel as though a new light has been shed into my life.  I am always grateful when new people and places allow you to expand your mind in new ways.

Me with a sweet lady from Iran at the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

The secret is here in the present.  If you pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it.  And if you improve on the present, what comes later will also be better.  Forget about the future, and live each day according to the teachings. – The Alchemist

Hello beautiful friends!  Happy Monday!  🙂

Pretty proud of myself for keeping up to date on this.  I promised to try and update everyone weekly, and while it is only the second week, so far so good!  (I guess you can hold the applause 😉 )

This last week has been quite a rollercoaster ride.  I have some wonderful news and some pretty sad news.  I always like to start on positive notes, so good news first!

I HAVE A NEW JOB!  🙂  As some of you might know, the last few weeks have been a little stressful for me in terms of finding a new job.  In Thailand, we are rounding up the end of the school year, and this week is my last week at my school.  While I have enjoyed the school I taught at, and I have loved getting to know the students and teachers, I was ready for a bit of a change.  So I went out job hunting, going through several different interviews, and I even had some different options in terms of new teaching positions.  If you know me though, you know that making decisions aren’t exactly my specialty, so trying to figure out exactly what I wanted these last few weeks was a bit of a challenge.  However, despite the stress that comes along with such changes, came a great opportunity.  Starting in April, I will be teaching at a very unique school in Bangkok.  I accepted a teaching position at a fifth grade level at a Thai-Japanese school!  All good things in all good time baby!  After interviewing at this school, I instantly knew this was it!  The school is beautiful and the staff I was introduced to was great.  I immediately felt comfortable, and I feel as though that is so important in a job setting.  The school will even be offering me Japanese courses, so I will be learning how to speak Japanese.  Check that off the bucket list!  I am beyond excited to begin yet another chapter in my life, and a long one it will be, as I signed a two year contract.  Two more years in this beautiful country?  Don’t mind if I do.  🙂  (For those of my friends who keep saying they want to come visit, you now have plenty of time to get saving! 😉 )

So while I received some amazing news this week, I was also given the reminder that life can’t always be sunshine and rainbows.  My mother reached out to me this past weekend to inform me my childhood dog, Buddy, had passed away peacefully in her arms while he was sleeping.  While I am heartbroken to have lost my first and only pet, I am beyond grateful for the 17 long years that my dog was able to be with us, providing us with great memories that I will never forget.  I still remember when I filled out what my wish was on school papers, putting down I wish I had a dog for a pet.  Of course my dad would help my wishes come true, and when I was in first grade, my dad showed up with Buddy on Christmas Eve, surprising my brother, my mom, and me.  My dog was a little spit fire, but so sweet at the same time.  It still makes me laugh to think of my little 5 pound dog barking at the Saint Bernards next door without a care in the world.  Rest in doggy paradise my little pup.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the only bad news I received.  This past weekend I also lost a friend from Panic tour.  I realized this week that the hardest part about being on the other side of the world is that I cannot pick up the phone to call those I need, to give hugs and squeeze the ones I love.  I wish teleporting was possible, just so I can find my OG video camera that I took the road with me last summer.  I recorded our shenanigans from Panic tour, and I know on that video camera is some footage of Nick.  I would love to be able to be home to just get my hands on it, to get some laughs and see his character shining bright as ever.  I will raise another glass to you though, my friend, and for you, forever and ever, may your glass it be filled!

“What hurts you, blesses you.  Darkness is your candle.”  – Rumi

 

It is weeks like this that I am reminded how short our lives are.  In the blink of an eye, all things can change.  If you are reading this, please do me a favor, and give a call or shoot a text to your friends and family, those you are close to and those you have lost touch with.  Just tell them that you love them and how grateful you are for their presence in your life.  If you are lucky enough to physically see them, give them big hugs. Squeeze squeeze squeeze them tightly!  Tomorrow is never promised, so live each moment to the very fullest because now is all you can be sure of.  Love with all you have because those who are still by your side today are there for a reason.

Although I cannot be home to be with the ones I love on that side of the world, I am beyond lucky to have such a great group of people in Thailand by my side.  This weekend was another one for the books!  I was blessed to share great food, just a few drinks (ha), and even more memories with such an amazing group.  To each of you who came from out of town, and for those who were in Bangkok, but came along for the ride, thank you!  You each put such a smile on my face, and make my life so much brighter for knowing you!  I feel so lucky to have met so many amazing people out here.  Life never ceases to amaze me.

While this week had its ups and downs, overall, I am looking on the bright side of things.  Life is all about perspective, and we are in charge of our own thoughts.  My happiness lies in my own hands, so I know to make the best of each situation life throws at me.  Good things are sure to be on their way, and I am excited and accepting of all the change that is to come!

Have a wonderful week, my friends!

So I have been living in Thailand for almost four months now (so crazy to think), and I am just now getting around to setting up a blog.  For those of you who know me, this comes as probably no surprise.  Queen of procrastination here at your service.  I have been meaning to get this set up long ago, but life was busy happening.  However, no excuses; I am finally here!

To recap four months of time would take me so long that I would probably just stop after this post with hands that are ready to fall off.  So to rewind and recap and to save yourselves from information overload, I will just write the top ten things that I have encountered in my time in Southeast Asia so far that have been my favorite and most unforgettable moments.

1.   Sam’s Flock

When I say Sam’s Flock, I mean these lovely eight people above (and of course Teacher Austin.)  This is the group that I completed my TESOL course with in Chiang Mai.  They are the first people I had the pleasure of getting to know in Thailand, and I couldn’t be more grateful for getting placed with such an awesome group!  Even though we are all over the country now, I still stay in touch with them, and I get to travel on some pretty amazing adventures with them as well.  From our nights out at Zoe’s to nights in with Cards Against Humanity, there was never a dull moment with this group, and it was amazing to see everyone grow throughout our short time together.  They all have such a special place in my heart.

2.  Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, in general, is one of the most amazing places I have ever been in my life.  If you ever land upon some money and have a thought of traveling anywhere in the world, make this place it.  I only got to live here for less than a month, but it was some of the best few weeks I could have ever dreamed of having.  From elephants to temples to pagodas to shopping, everything you could need is here.  (Well maybe not everything because I sure as hell miss good wine and bacon.)  Wat Phra That Doi Suthep was my first temple experience in Thailand, and surely will be one that will be hard to ever top off again.  It was stunning, and the view overlooking the city of Chiang Mai was just the topping on the cake.  

3.  Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai

So this should fall under the category of Chiang Mai, but I do what I want, and this place was so spectacular it goes in its own special place.  I mean, do you see that picture?! Like something straight out of the movie Aladdin, this place was beyond magical.  Situated on top of the highest mountain in Thailand, this place feels surreal.  This picture was taken at Phra Mahathat Napha Methanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphaphon Phumisiri, the twin pagodas. (And no, I could never say those names even if I tried.)  They were both built in honor of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit.  After seeing these beauts and looking down at the city below us, we were able to go to some amazing waterfalls tucked away in Doi Inthanon National Park.  Needless to say, this day was unforgettable.

4.  Bangkok

^^That’s me eating a maggot from a street vendor.  She was so kind she even gave us a free cricket too.  As cliche as it sounds, they tasted like chicken.  Really not all that bad, but when you got a cricket leg stuck in your teeth, it felt a little weird.

This place is now what I call home.  I feel blessed to live here, and even more lucky to have three amazing guys who I live with that have made me want to stay in this city even longer.  It never ceases to amaze me the surprises this place brings daily.  Just earlier this week, I had just finished up a job interview, and I needed to head back home.  The bus systems are nearly impossible to figure out, so I asked a motorbike how much it would cost for me to get back to the BTS (the train).  He said it would cost 120 baht, but that he would take me all the way back to my place for 200 baht (literally on the other side of the city.)  So I was totally down to make the trip, full-knowing he would be kicking himself later for ever agreeing to that.  But man oh man, I was all smiles and giggles the whole ride back.  For one, Bangkok traffic is no joke.  Motorbikes just squeeze through cars because laws of the road do not exist in this country.  So riding between cars, with my bag hitting them, and driving down the opposite side of the road is just no thang to me anymore.  The ride back home allowed me to see so many different parts of town during the sunset.  Was honestly one of the highlights of my week.  Besides from all that, this city always has SOMETHING to do.  Whether we are sipping back some beers on the roof, shopping at Chatuchak Market, hitting up a day at Lumpini Park, being tourists and exploring the city’s famous landmarks, I am always finding something new to love about this place every day.

5.  Kanchanaburi, Thailand

I spent Father’s Day (the King’s birthday) in Kanchanaburi with some pretty wonderful people.  We took the scenic train ride out there, which I would definitely recommend to anyone who is making travels out this way.  The whole weekend was killer, despite me literally feeling like I had been killed and brought back to life on Sunday when I woke up.  We managed to ride our motorbikes out to see the beautiful Erawan waterfalls and slide down some natural water slides (even ripped my shorts in the process).  We ate dinner that night next to the river with a beautiful view.  The night life was a blast, and including lots of buckets and riding some wrecking balls.  All the fun made our adventures on Sunday a bit rough.  We powered on through and were able to catch Jeath Museum and walk along Death Railway.  Andrew almost bought a pet leopard.  (Yes, those exist here.  Welcome to Thailand.)  Overall, it was a great way to spend a weekend learning about Thai history, seeing some of the most beautiful waterfalls ever, and kicking it with some locals in this cute little town.

6.  Angkor Wat, Cambodia

During my Christmas vacation, I went with my friend Evy to Cambodia.  While there, we went to Angkor Wat, the largest religious site in the world.   This place gave me freakin goosebumps as soon as I stepped on the land.  The place is HUGE, and the temples are just out of this world.  The details on them, and the way they are built just astounds me to try and wrap my head around people actually building these and visiting them as a part of their daily life.  Evy and I were able to climb up to the tip top of Angkor Wat itself and look down (pictured above).  To be able to take in and soak up all the beauty that surrounded us was breathtaking.  We had rented a tuk-tuk driver for the day who was awesome and took us all around the place.  We ate dinner at this little restaurant tucked away from all tourists, and we were able to kick it and play with some little kiddos, and even managed to buy them some cookies.  This part was something I will never forget.  In America we are so damn greedy, always wanting things for ourselves.  When we gave those children cookies, you better believe they all gathered and broke pieces off for each and every single one of them to enjoy.  It was amazing.  We finished off our day on top of Phnom Bakheng to watch the sunset.  Happy crocodile tears this day because trying to soak up all that I witnessed was just so overwhelming.

7.  Vientiane, Laos

I made this trek to the capital of Laos with Tyson and Tasha.  We all had to make a visa run, so it worked out perfectly to do it together.  Vientiane is probably the world’s smallest capital, and there isn’t a whole lot of nightlife, but I still had an absolutely amazing time.  Laos was colonized by the French, so there’s definitely some French influence in the city, which also means awesome food!  (Major plus!)  We were able to check out Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) which was so freaking cool!  It’s a small park that is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu sculptures.  The best is this pumpkin shaped statue that has a large mythological creature with its mouth open to serve as the entrance.  When you walk inside there are three levels: Hell, Earth, and Heaven.  Hell is full of sculptures of the dead and evil.  Earth has some statues that are good and some that are evil.  The top level is Heaven that is full of the gods and goddesses.  When you walk to the very tip top, you are outside looking out over the whole park.  It was a really cool place.  We rented bicycles and explored the rest of the city in a day, checking out some cool temples, churches, and some other neat historical sites.  It was a nice little vacation for sure.

8.  Overnight Meditation in Laos

So while I was in Vientiane, we were actually on our way to the rooftop bar when we walked past this temple that had string hanging everywhere.  We decided to stop in to see what it was all about.  We saw a bunch of monks sitting inside, so we went to pay our respects to the Buddha.  A monk ended up coming over and speaking to us.  His English was amazing, and he told us about the purpose of meditation, and then extended an invitation to us to join him in a very special night.  It only happens about once every ten years, and everyone gathers for an overnight meditation.  The string was for this special night.  It spread out throughout the entire temple, outside, and into other temples.  There was thousands of single pieces of string hanging down from this one large piece.  The idea was to have each person have their own string so that when we meditated, we would hold onto it, connecting us all together and bringing us into consciousness as one.  Tasha and I decided there was no way we could miss this, and I couldn’t be more grateful for this experience.  It was a once in a lifetime experience, and it was one of the coolest things I have ever done.  We made it the entire night, and we were even given a personal meditation lesson from the monk who had invited us.  Everyone there extended helping hands to us that night, giving us food, coffee, tea, and explaining the process more in depth to us.  

9.  Ayutthaya, Thailand

So some of the lovely soul sisters I have been fortunate to come across in my time here decided we would spend a weekend up in Ayutthaya to check out the ruins of what used to be the old capital of Thailand.  We all met up in Bangkok and took the train up to this island.  When we arrived, we grabbed some beers before renting bicycles and driving around exploring this super cute, awesome little gem.  I immediately fell in love with this town.  It’s cute, has some badass places to see, all accessible by bikes, and not too many farangs (what Thais call us Western people).  Elephants will be walking down the street, no big deal.  We were able to meet up with some guys Evy and I met in Cambodia, and they were generous enough to let us crash with them.  Overall, I had a fabulous weekend.  I even came home with some plants and new trinkets for my apartment.  It is weekends like these that I really think of how blessed I am to be living this amazing life of mine and getting to enjoy it with some of the best souls to walk this earth. 

10.  Thai People

Part of the reason I have absolutely fallen in love with this country is because of the people.  Every day I take a motorbike to school, and every day I am in awe, simply because of the people who wave to me or smile in our passing.  Thailand is the Land of a Thousand Smiles, and that statement is so beyond true.  It is beyond rare to come across someone who is upset here.  Part of the culture is to be kind.  In every single one of my classes I taught, I had the students come up with classroom rules, and in every single one of my classes, they decided on a rule to smile.  Seriously.  Even if you are upset, you smile.  It’s kind of crazy, but I absolutely love it.  When I walk to the store, every person is smiling at me and saying, “Hello”, whether I know them or not.  It’s something so genuine, and something that I feel like I only get to experience at music festivals back at home.  How many cities can you think of where you just walked down the street, and everyone said hello?  Or when you are on the train, people aren’t looking down at their phones; instead, they are looking at you, smiling?  It is something I cherish so much about this place.  It makes me realize how lucky I am to be in a place where even if I do have a bad day, all I need to do is walk down to the Som Tum lady because I will be greeted by Mr. Man, the Fish guy, and the children who play in the apartment lot next door, who rush over just to say hi.  

So I have slacked and slacked, but here it is.  I finally have a blog started, where I WILL keep you all updated weekly (hopefully) with all my adventures, travels, smiles, and any other crazy little things that come my way.  Every day is different and full of something new, and I cherish these days I get to spend learning more about the culture and myself.