I feel the earth move: the earthquake in Chiang Mai

“I want you to take over control … take over control … take over control …”

My feet pedal furiously to the beat as I try to sweat the fever out of my body.

Six more songs. Only six more until I’m done and can go home, shower and take medicine, then pass out.

Except, sometime during the chorus, I feel my body begin to sway on my spin bike. Rocking, slowly, steadily, back and forth.

Holy shit. I’m super sick. I need to stop pedaling immediately.Continue reading “I feel the earth move: the earthquake in Chiang Mai”

The most horrifying Thailand moment

Today started like normal.

6 a.m.: Mr. Lucky starts digging between my pillows and pulls out The Bloggess‘ new book, “Let’s Pretend This Never Happened” (which, BTW, is super hilarious).

6:05 a.m.: I kick Mr. Lucky out of the room.

6:30 a.m.: I. Am. Awake. Damnit.

6:45 a.m.: I get ready for work, lock my front door and head out of my house.

6:47 a.m.: I am about 10 feet from my front gate. If that. And there. On the ground. Is THE most horrifying thing I have seen since I have been in Thailand. [Ed. Note: OK, not THE most horrifying thing I have seen. I work in elephant tourism, so there are PLENTY of horrifying things I have seen here. But, for dramatic purposes, THIS is THE most horrifying thing.]Continue reading “The most horrifying Thailand moment”

The Europe seduction

There are times I find myself staring at a map, just lost in the possibilities of the world and all of its wonders.

Then, the wanderlust begins to bubble up … to slowly seduce me into a world where backpacks, trains, hostels, waking up in a new city are the norm. Are romantic. These little tendrils of travel creep into my mind and plant their roots. They whisper to me at night, “Diana … book a flight … Diana … come to me.”

Like a hangover, I shake these thoughts away because, let’s face it, the beginning of 2014 saw me barely making it to Chiang Mai Gate, let alone across town … how in the world am I going to leave the country?Continue reading “The Europe seduction”

Exploring Spain

The bang of road trip adventures is unbeatable no matter where you go for your vacation, and the same applies when you hop over to Spain. There are countless road trips snake-lining all over country which lead to secluded hidden treasures for you to uncover. Among others, exploring Basque country on your car is a must, for you can explore deep inside the region destinations not approachable by buses or trains.

Bizkaia

Visit the hub of the Basque country where a massive puppy is poising as the ‘His Master’s Voice’ in front of the Guggenheim museum. It is an amusing piece of architect with wire frame, stuffed with 25 tons of soil where plants have grown to cover its body. The museum as a whole is a world-class affair built with titanium, glass, steel, and limestone. Then there are other astonishing exhibits to steal your hearts. Drive around the old town, visit other attractions or hit the road and head to Axpe, a tiny village that will introduce your taste buds to the local cuisine flavours, either smoked or grilled over the embers.Continue reading “Exploring Spain”

Celebrating Passover in Chiang Mai

Rabbis clad in the Orthodox suits stand upon chairs, clapping their hands with smiles on their faces as our makeshift congregation of travelers and expats clap along.

Celebrating Passover in Chiang Mai

 

“Day-day-enu, day-day-enu, day-day-enu, dayenu, dayenu, dayenu,” we all sing together, accents melting into the chorus of the Passover song.

It’s the first night of Passover, the first seder, and instead of being with family or friends or out reveling in Songkran, which takes place simultaneously this year, I am sitting in a ballroom of the Centara Hotel in Chiang Mai’s red light district. I’m surrounded largely by Israelis who have come together on this special night to bring in Passover together.Continue reading “Celebrating Passover in Chiang Mai”

Review: Kelty Ascender 22

I go through more pieces of luggage than I do shoes. Especially now, seeing as I really only have two pairs of shoes (but that’s another story). Anyway, as I was saying, I go through luggage like it is my job. And sometimes it kind of is. After all, how else can I tell you what luggage I love that rocks my world and what luggage isn’t worth the major moolah I put down on it?

Even though it has been awhile since I have traveled long-term, it doesn’t mean I don’t still travel. In fact, I pack up a bag pretty often for travel — whether it is nearby like the tropical paradise of Koh Samui, or as far as possible from Thailand (like Delaware).

Regardless of how far from “home” I am headed, or how long I am away, one thing remains true:  I need a good piece of luggage. No, I need an awesome piece of luggage.Continue reading “Review: Kelty Ascender 22”

The blessing of Chiang Mai

Living in Chiang Mai, I am constantly treated to spectacular visual beauty, thanks to the hundreds of temples and religious activities which regularly occur here. Any given morning, en route to work, I get to see people praying to monks and offering alms to them to bring back to their respective temples.

The beauty of Buddhism is constantly on display in the city I call “home.”

Today is no exception.

Chiang Mai monks making pilgrimage
The first of 500 Dhutanga monks enters the shot.

Continue reading “The blessing of Chiang Mai”

A cigarette and a view: the coupling of smoking and travel

I sit, tuckered out from a long day of travel. Situated on the former Olympic Steps in Sarajevo, surrounded by green mountains dotted with homes which used to be in the middle of a war zone, I take it all in.

Sarajevo Olympic Stairs

Then, I light a cigarette, inhale deeply, and really begin to take a look around what is — in this moment — my world.

The dilapidated steps, crumbling into the weeds growing alongside what used to have been something bustling, something grand.

I sit, and as I pull the toxicity into my lungs, I get it. I let myself open up to the history of Sarajevo being surrounded, the struggles, the pain, the rebirth of this city.

When I stub my cigarette out, I light another one and ponder some more.

Smoking and Travel. The perfect couple.Continue reading “A cigarette and a view: the coupling of smoking and travel”

London: Shopping, Museums and Theatre Galore

Editor’s Note: This post is provided by Lucy C.

It’s fair to say that London is a melting pot of experiences that are just waiting for you to explore them. From the sights and sounds of the major attractions, to the cultural hit of the museums, London has it all. If you’re planning on a visit to the city at some point in the near future, to see what all the fuss is about, book a room with Travelodge and make the most out of your time in the Big Smoke.

If you’ve never been to London before, it can be extremely overwhelming. There’s so much to see and do that picking an itinerary that suits you down to the ground can be a difficult task. Is it a spot of retail therapy that you’re after? An art gallery to peruse? Or a theatre trip that you’ll never forget? Whatever you wish to do during your stay, there’s bound to be a part of London that can provide you with what you’re looking for. Here are a few ideas to get you started.Continue reading “London: Shopping, Museums and Theatre Galore”

Tourists behaving badly: how to be PC in Thailand

Tourists behaving badly. It happens everywhere. I’m sure you’ve seen it: drunken bar fights with locals over a bill. Tagging an historic landmark. Taking smiling group photos in places which are disrespectful (like Auschwitz).

Living as an expat in Thailand, I am treated to this display of very non PC behavior/stuff to make Thais blush daily. It ranges from the minor no-nos (like ladies not covering your shoulders/knees at a temple) to the obscene (like men not taking “no” for an answer at a bar with bar girls). It really bothers me because a) visitors either don’t bother to read up on etiquette before visiting this amazing country and opt for a “head in the sand” or possess the “what works in my home country surely works here” assumption; or b) they know better but choose to disregard cultural norms, simply justifying their holiday as their holiday, which allows them to act however they deem fit (or unfit).

For those planning a trip to Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, here are some important things to keep in mind:Continue reading “Tourists behaving badly: how to be PC in Thailand”