Embracing Change and New Adventures
As I gear up for 2026, I renew my decisions to write more, talk about the start of a new adventure, and wrapping up Thailand…for now.
Chicken Pox?
The Chicken Pox Saga Preparing for my move to Thailand involved getting all my travel vaccinations. Most were just boosters, like the flu, COVID-19, and tetanus, but a few were new: rabies, Japanese encephalitis, and typhoid, to name a few. All in all, I received about seven or eight vaccinations. All were administered by a…
Cultural Transition: My First Night in Don Mueang
Transitioning from the small town to the big city, I reflect on where I am and the small comforts of familiarity.
The Unknown Pilgrimage
What started out as a post-orientation field trip ended up being so much more.
A Moment of Reflection
One of my heroes, Rick Steves, offered some insight several years ago that I think is relevant today: “It’s good style to get to know people before you bomb them.” In light of recent events in the Middle East and the fallout that many of us woke up to this morning, I wanted to take…
Cultural Orientation: Muay Thai
Hello everyone. Thank you for patiently waiting. I’ve had a lot going on in the background, which has made it hard to sit down to write. However, most of the bumps have been smoothed out. Posts should start flowing a little more regularly again, especially now that I’ve said that a few different times. Again,…
Earthquake Update
Hello everyone, thank you for following along. I apologize for my irregular posts lately. To catch you up, many things have happened: the earthquake, moving from Don Mueang to Ayutthaya, dealing with Bangkok Belly, and a visa run. I’ve had little time to write. I’m still working on my cultural orientation week and have some…
Earthquake!
A massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit SE Asia today around 1:30 PM local time. The epicenter was in nearby Myanmar, but it was felt at least as far away as Bangkok. One building that looked like it was under construction in Bangkok collapsed. Water from rooftop swimming pools was said to have splashed on the…
Coming Soon
Hello everyone. I want to apologize for not keeping up with my posts. My goal has been to consistently post twice a week until everyone is caught up to my present-day activities and whereabouts. Since arriving in Thailand, I have been to three different cities, either learning about Thailand and Thai culture or teaching, which…
Cultural Orientation: Buddhism is Everywhere
I don’t know much about Buddhism. It’s not that I can’t read books on the subject. I have read plenty. It’s not that I can’t understand the core tenets of the faith; I get it. The problem is that spirituality, particularly as an aspect of culture, is something that needs to be experienced for it…
Cultural Orientation: Cooking
If there’s an art that I excel at above all else, then it has to be cooking. I love to cook. It brings me great pleasure to be in the kitchen. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a pot of bean soup, feeding a sourdough starter, making a turkey dinner, or a simple bowl of noodles.…
Cultural Orientation: Going to the Market
Going to an open-air market off the beaten path offers a glimpse into daily life that few people see as tourists.
Cultural Orientation: Language Barriers
Whether I am okay with it or not, I’m 48 years old. There are many advantages to doing this sort of thing later in life. You have wisdom, you’re more comfortable in your own skin, making mistakes, so on and so forth. You’re cooler under pressure and don’t panic nearly as often. You know your…
Cultural Orientation: Respect and Etiquette
Feet, wai’s and what respect looks like in Thai culture.
Two Weeks In…
Hello Everyone. How are you doing? It’s hard to believe it, but on Sunday, 16/2/2025, I will be in Thailand for two whole weeks! A lot has happened since I arrived in the Land of Smiles, but I’m still at the very beginning of my journey. So, while you may want to know more about…
The Journey Begins
Technically, this journey started a long time ago in a different place from where I am now, but I decided it was high time to start a new journey in life; something that I have felt down to my core being ever since I was a little boy: to travel, work abroad, and live in…
