Living at Conscious Impact camp Everything is dusty. Always. I sweep, leaves fall, wind blows. More dust. My skin is dry. Waning supply of moisturizer brought from home cannot keep pace with Nepali sun and soil and cob and lime. Desiccating my skin, cutting my feet and fingers. Photo by Jonathan H. Lee/subtledream.com This place … Continue reading Soil and Community
Leaving Thailand
Travel in times of Corona Virus It’s March 13th. Yesterday we returned to Bangkok and spent one more night at Home Mali Hostel. Last chance for Papaya and salted Mango and pungent street food in the alleyway. I will miss tropical fruit in Nepal! But at least I am assured of getting at least one … Continue reading Leaving Thailand
For real?! Fantastical temples of Chiang Rai
Travelers head to Chiang Rai for a handful of very specific sights: a collection of modern (i.e. built in the last few decades) temple complexes named for their respective color - white, blue, black. Niti and Jonathan told me I would be dumb-founded at the sight of them. So I insisted they not show me … Continue reading For real?! Fantastical temples of Chiang Rai
Akha village life
Meeting Niti opened a door into experiencing Thailand in a way I never could have as an ordinary tourist, typically confined to looking in from the outside. I experienced Niti as highly energetic and slightly mischievous from the beginning, so it came as only a mild surprise when she spontaneously announced a road trip to … Continue reading Akha village life
Chiang Mai: Temples and Elephants
Temples - or Wat, as they are called in Thai - and elephants are two of the things Thailand is most known for. Both are authentic and integral parts of life in Thailand, past and present, and at the same time heavily marketed tourist attractions. We experienced some of the resulting paradoxes on our second … Continue reading Chiang Mai: Temples and Elephants
Chiang Mai: Day 1
An abundance of cute cafes, walkable streets, a more pleasant climate and even lower prices than in Bangkok. Oh, and chicken Kha Soi. These are some of the things Jonathan loved so much about Chiang Mai, the largest city in Northern Thailand, that he could almost imagine living here. I can't wait to see it … Continue reading Chiang Mai: Day 1
Island life: Koh Jum
I'm sitting outside our bungalow, on a wooden lounge chair, beneath a giant palm tree's fan-like canopy. Finally I have a few minutes to write before we leave Tonsai. There seems to never really be time for writing, or I'm not making any. It's a conundrum: for me, travel should be about getting away and … Continue reading Island life: Koh Jum
Beach time!: Krabi Province
Sorry Roberta, I broke my promise. I haven't been keeping up with blogging. My dear friend Roberta encouraged me to write daily. She knows I want to make writing a regular practice. But...life happens. The last three days have been filled with beautiful beaches, yes, but also with lots of last-minute logistics, unexpected difficulties, and … Continue reading Beach time!: Krabi Province
Day 2, Bangkok: New art and old culture
Cultural CenterReclining BuddhaFlower marketWat PhoGolden Mount Temple Day two in the capital. We made up an itinerary for the day spontaneously, wanting to see more of the city but also take it easy and focus on eating a lot more street food and breathing a lot less exhaust fumes. Jonathan discovered that the Bangkok Art … Continue reading Day 2, Bangkok: New art and old culture
Landing back in the world – Asia & Europe trip Spring 2020
42 hour in. After three years of making a home in Seattle I am reconnecting with the world traveler I used to identify as so clearly. It feels good. Jonathan and I will be travelling together for nine weeks. Thailand, Nepal, France, Germany, Norway. Our destinations will all re-connect is with friends, family, and in … Continue reading Landing back in the world – Asia & Europe trip Spring 2020
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