I’m currently writing a Thailand review that’ll be out in the next week… If I finish it quickly, I might even put out a YouTube video.
We shall see!
In the meantime, we’re sitting at a Starbucks in this huge mall in Bangkok. I can’t help but compare the city to Chiang Mai.
Personally, although I think Peyton would agree, Chiang Mai has a way cooler vibe (and temperature). Returning to Bangkok briefly, I can sense the stress is more potent here. The traffic is way worse. It’s like going from Boulder to Denver.
Note to self:
Book stays in the heart of wherever the cafes, shops and restaurants are. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in the thick of the city, but have a nearby avenue (that’s well lit at night) you can walk to. Unless you’re okay with waiting 15 minutes for a Grab (Thailand’s Uber) and spending 20-30 minutes in traffic to get to a coffee shop every day.
Bangkok has a classic city vibe with loads of shops, tourists, and side avenues. Chiang Mai has those things, but it’s not so intricate. It is slower. There’s a larger holistic health community and it’s easier to find a community of “digital nomads”.
Maybe we didn’t give ourselves enough time to find that community in Bangkok. We had gone to a digital nomad night out in that first week of our travels and met loads of people, but not many gave the impression that they like to spend their days off chilling in coffee shops, hitting the gym, and going to bed early like us. Many worked for various businesses and still had to go into work M-F; their only free days to explore, get massages, go to group classes reserved for the weekend.
Chiang Mai people were a total match for us: 9pm bedtimes, yoga in the morning, coffee shop (so many!) laptopping, outdoor markets, pilates and Muay Thai private classes, entrepreneur collaborations and workshops, ice baths, hikes. Love it!
It’ll be hard to beat. But we plan to officially fly out of here and to the Philippines (3.5 hour flight to journal and read) tomorrow, and I have the feeling there will be more opportunities to find our kind of people again.
The Philippines…
I’m half Filipino, so this trip is going to feel different.
How? I could think of several reasons, but I think I’ll give that topic its own article. Maybe in the form of expectations and impressions.
If you’re into Psychology insights and like to talk about the human experience, consider upgrading to a paid subscription of this publication. I talk about the ways I’ve been able to maintain focus on my personal growth goals while living the inconsistent schedule of being a digital nomad! I’ll also share more valuable insights on self-discovery, inner-voice, and how to figure out what’s authentic to who you are today.
Well now there’s just loads for me to do now & I’m ready to jump in!! So I hope you enjoyed this small update.
Be on the look out for my Thailand Review — See you in the next post!
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