I had been to Bangkok a few years ago and being back this time felt completely different. I don’t know if I had changed, or if it had changed. I walked the streets more, hopped on the boat taxi to get around and went to places I didn’t think of going before. Bangkok solidified my love for big cities. I just loved the chaos, the surprises of the unexpected. I would walk for hours exploring different streets, stumbling across different markets. I found my myself in vegetable, food, flower and floating markets. I really enjoyed Bangkok this time around.

After a few days in Bangkok, I got onto a train to Ayutthaya, a small town with old relic buildings, what I loved most about this place was the random and creepy Million Toys Museum I stumbled on. That was a nice surprise. I didn’t stay long in Ayutthaya, there just wasn’t much to do really.

My next stop was Chang Mai, I had heard so much about what a great city it was. I didn’t really like it that much and that is when I realised I was not a fan of “in-between cities”. They are not big and not small either. They are just in between and for some reason I didn’t like it. I felt as if I was on the edge of excitement but never got there. Constant false hope. Maybe I was comparing it to Bangkok and not accepting it for what it was. There wasn’t much to shoot and the city did not have enough grit for me. I did however get one cool picture out it.

Something is on our Face, Chang Mai 2019

I do have a weird story to tell. As I previously mentioned I am very strong believer in the energy a person transmits but I have realised that sometimes you are the one not spreading good energy. I had spent quite some time at different hostels surrounded by people that were much younger than me. I had just turned thirty, starting over again and not in the best shape physically. I was comparing myself with everyone, every minute of every day. I was out of whack and the energy of my lack of self-love was vibrating out. I didn’t feel like I was myself in Chiang Mai, something just didn’t fit. I decided I needed to get into nature because when I am not feeling good or confused, it usually helps me.

I found out about a short hike up to Wat Pha Lat, called the Monks trail. I was sure this would help. I jumped onto the red taxi which dropped me off where the short hike started. On my way up I got lost a little but finally found my way to the top. The temple looked amazing but for some reason I was just feeling out of place. As I arrived this dog was barking just at me, so I didn’t stay there long. I was heading out of the monastery trying to find the main road . As I was passing different homes which I presumed belonged to the Monks, dogs kept barking at me. I was thinking to myself, isn’t this a monastery, shouldn’t these be calm dogs but I guess I was also a stranger. I kept on asking myself, what is going on here.

I finally found the main road. I waited for the red taxi but only saw them going up and none driving down, which was the direction I needed to go. I started to see people cycling and running up the road, so I figured I can walk down and eventuality I would find a bus stop. I start walking down, greeting some runners, everything felt good at this point. I even start taking a video of the walk, sharing my beautiful walk down the road. Then suddenly at the corner of my eye, I start seeing a number of dogs coming down the hill. They started walking behind me, next thing I hear, is growling. I try to act cool but the one in the front with hanging tits, starts growling intensely. I felt my body tingle from my head, then my neck and all the way down my spine. That was it for me, I knew I had to get out of there fast. I tried to stop a car but it didn’t stop, then I tried the guy on a motorbike and luckily, he stopped. I think I was still shaking. That was a very odd experience. To me it was a sign that something was going on inside me and I needed to sort it out fast. I believe the universe is always speaking to you. I strongly believe that everything that happens means something. I don’t believe things just happen. Every small thing means something because we are connected to everything.

I left Chiang Mai to explore the laid-back town of Pai and stayed at a relaxing backpackers overlooking the rice paddies. It was peaceful there and I needed some peace. One day when I was resting in the room, this cool looking lady walked in, and we started talking. Her name was Awtash, she was from Israel, originally from Ethiopia. She started telling me about Israel and the different types of Jewish people. The struggles Ethiopians were going through. Things I didn’t even know about. We connected instantly. She had also just been to India and loved it as much as I did. We got on extremely well. We started exploring the city together. It was quite nice having a partner in crime. I believe you are constantly being looked after and you get what you need, when you need it. You just need to be open. Sometimes things are hard for a little while and confusing but then you’re given the chance to catch your breath. That was Awtash for me. The breadth of fresh air I needed. That moment in time when I needed to rest a little, from “myself”. The moment just to be. I couldn’t do it for myself and needed someone to help me. I was putting extreme and unrealistic pressure on myself and needed to chill the fuck out. We spent a few days exploring the little city and hanging out with people at the hostel, both her and I headed back to Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai still felt off to me. We had a few fun nights, but it still wasn’t my kind of city.

Thailand was a different experience, the other countries were more of spiritual. This felt more like just trip. I don’t know if I can explain it. I did however enjoy it because my Thailand experience felt different this time. Once again the major upside was making a new friend and we would meet again a few months later.

Thailand was Different

Crossing the border in Myanmar

Exploring Nepal