I needed a break, from Europe.
I had not been out of the continent for 9 months and the travel bug inside of me had been bugging me (pun intended) for a long time. But more importantly, I needed a break, literally. The last time I had a chance to really have a worry-free/schedule-cleared vacation was when I went to Paris in Feb 2015. Since then I've been swarmed almost nonstop with classes, reports, conferences, language school, work, and then more work.
From November to January I've been balancing work and school and then from February, I've been working constantly including weekends. Although it's not as strenuous as my banking days but with no breaks in between it had been taking a toll. I was struggling with stomach pain. In hindsight, what I really needed after my UN gig was over was to get some rest. But I needed to get away; my room was driving me crazy (I live right by the kitchen so I can hear/smell cooking frequently), lots of emotional distress, and most of all, the gloomy cold weather was driving me nuts. I needed to get away. I needed to get away to somewhere warm, hot.
Which is why my first destination had to be undoubtedly, Thailand.
First thing's first: Whenever I go to Bangkok I have to go to the Erawan Shrine to offer my prayer and blessings as well as ask that th rest of the trip would go well. It's become a ritual every time I'm in Thailand. So off we go.
My host, a very gentle Italian DJ guy, told me he was so sorry he forgot to let me know how to turn on the AC in his room; I only had an electric fan for the first night. He was also a bit worried as it's the hottest seasons during March and April in Southeast Asia. Are you kidding me? I coudln't have felt any better. I rarely had AC while I was living in Cambodia anyways. Humidity? Oh please. I'd rather be drenched in sweat and scorched in the heat rather than my skin cracking and need to put lotion all over my body every hour all while shivering in the snow.
It was just pure bliss walking around the local neighborhoods, observing people while I rode the trains.. I realized how much I missed Asia. It's good to be back.
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| Buddhist ceremony in the local neighborhood |
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| My host took me out to the local noodle shop. So incredibly good |
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| Stuffing myself. All this for barely $3. Terminal 21 Food court in Asok is the best :) |
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