Living Social

I probably wouldn’t have much conversation with others if I let my inner introvert control me.  In fact, my first day in Thailand was pretty quiet other than the few words I spoke to order food and ask for directions.  That could be the norm for me, except I decided to get out of my comfort zone, be more social, and have conversations with the people around me.  I have people in my life who never meet strangers.  They easily strike up conversations with others and make friends with little effort.  That does not come naturally to me.  I usually require some time to warm up to new people, and I am rarely the person to initiate an exchange.   Therefore, I am challenging myself to have at least 1 real conversation per day with the people around me beyond logistics.  To that end, I am proud to say that I have been exceeding my conversation quota.

Doi Suthep with Shea

Before leaving Houston, I made arrangements to meet a few people in Chiang Mai.  I learned that a young lady who formerly attended my church would be in Chiang Mai for a few days while I was there.  We only knew each other through mutual friends.  We exchanged contact information and decided to meet up in Thailand.  I contacted her upon my arrival, and we met for dinner followed by a trip to the Night Bazaar.  We hung out a few more times before her mission group headed back to the States.  She invited me to join her group on a trip up the mountain to Doi Suthep where we visited a temple and saw a very foggy view of the city below.  I also took her to “my” massage place for 120B.  It was great hanging out with someone new in a place that was new to both of us.  I also found that there was a Toastmasters International Club in Chiang Mai, and I made plans to visit one of their Sunday meetings while I was in town.  They warmly welcomed me and allowed me to participate in their meeting as General Evaluator.  The club has members from different parts of the world, which makes it interesting and fun to learn from each other’s cultures.  I met people from The Philippines, England, Scotland, Thailand, and there was even an American who retired to Chiang Mai.  

Chiang Mai Toastmasters

I continued my social streak on Sunday, and I met with a friend of a friend for early dinner.  My friend who lived in Chiang Mai for a few months a couple of years ago, still had contacts in the city, and introduced me to them online.  I met one of the guys at Rustic and Blue for amazing food.  He told me about a Black American expat group that meets for dinner every Sunday and gave me details on where to meet them.  I walked to Food 4 Thought and met about 10 other travelers there.  They told me that they usually had more people come on Sundays, but there were a few other events happening that same weekend that split the group.  I was full from dinner, so I only had a smoothie.  I made a mental note to go back, because the food looked amazing.  It was interesting to see this table full of Black people in Thailand, and to hear about everyone’s experiences and what brought them to the magical borders of Chiang Mai.  Some of them were just passing though and others decided to make it home.  I could totally understand why they loved it so much.  Rents around the table ranged from $100 to $350 each month, and the cost of living was very low.  They felt free to be themselves without the oppressive discrimination faced in the US.  In addition to meeting this awesome group at another amazing restaurant, I learned that the organizer and I share the same birthdate (same year too).  She told me there are at least 2 other people, who were not present that day, who have the same birthday.  Twins!  She’s a kindred natural spirit and told me about places to go for meditation and healthy food options too.  The magic of the internet is that it brings total strangers together online with an interest in exploring the world and allows travelers to meet and share resources, such as the Facebook group for Sunday Dinner and Blackpackers. 

Sunday Dinner

My Birthday Twin

My My My Chiang Mai

I landed in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Wednesday morning around 9am after leaving Houston at 6:25 on Monday evening.  Tuesday was lost in translation.  I flew Qatar Airways, and there was a layover in Doha for about 3 hours followed by a brief stop in Yangon, Myanmar where we stayed on the plane before finally landing in Chiang Mai.  My seat preference is always by the window, but this trip made me seriously consider changing that preference to the aisle for long flights.  Thankfully, I sat next to an old couple on the flight from Houston to Doha, so I got up to stretch and use the restroom every few hours when they stood up.  On the flight from Doha to Chiang Mai, there was an empty aisle seat on the row in front of me with a guy in the window seat and empty middle seat.  The flight attendant asked the woman in the middle seat next to me if she wanted to take that aisle seat, and she declined. Seriously?  Who chooses to stay in a middle seat, especially when they are flying solo?  After dinner, when everyone stood to use the facilities, I saw that the aisle seat in front of me was still open, so I took advantage of it.  I could stand and stretch my legs as often as I liked.  Winning!

After arriving in Chiang Mai, I made my way through customs and baggage claim before exchanging US dollars for Thai baht (appx. 33baht/dollar).  I needed cash immediately for the taxi and hostel.  I took in all the sights and sounds of Chiang Mai on the short drive from the airport to the hostel.  There were vehicles everywhere, cars, trucks, red trucks (called songthaews), bicycles, and lots and lots of motorbikes/scooters.  Songthaews seem to be the most common mode of public/private transportation.  You flag down a truck and tell the driver where you’re going, and they will agree or disagree to take you to that location for a flat rate of 30B per person.  The ride is shared with other people usually going in the same direction. Vehicles drive on the left side of the road and drivers sit on the right side, which is opposite of driving in the US.  The taxi turned on a small road and dropped me off at the Nonni Guesthouse hostel, which would be my home for my first week in Thailand.  I was a little nervous about staying in a hostel, but at $8/day, I decided to give it a try.  I had a private room with a shared bathroom (I thought I had booked a private bathroom, but I didn’t.)  There were 4 rooms on my floor and 2 bathrooms.  I rarely ever saw the other guests, and the bathroom was always available when I needed it.  I disinfected the bathroom every time I had to go in there.  It’s probably the cleanest toilet in Thailand.  (Aside: I am a germaphobe, which could be a major issue while traveling.  I always clean surfaces in my hotel room and bathroom upon arrival.  I have lots of travel size Clorox bleach wipes and hand sanitizer spread throughout my luggage.  If anyone comes to visit me along this journey, I hope that they will bring me more Clorox wipes and Wet Ones hand wipes.)  The owner/host of the hostel, was a Brit named Alan, and he was very kind and accommodating.  He helped setup tours and gave me recommendations on things to see/do.  My first hostel experience wasn’t too bad.  I’m probably going to stay in hostels again along this journey, but I need to have a private bathroom.

Thailand is twelve hours ahead of Central Standard Time (Dallas/Houston).  That means that 2pm on Tuesday in Houston is 2am on Wednesday in Thailand.  I woke up throughout my first night in Chiang Mai because of text alerts and notifications on my phone in the middle of the night, so I added the Do Not Disturb setting for the future.  My body quickly adjusted to the time change after a couple of nights.  I talk to my family and friends when I'm either starting my day or ending my day.  My primary mode of communication is WhatsApp. The app is free and allows me to talk, text, and video chat for free no matter where I am as long as there is wi-fi.  

I stayed near the Chiang Mai Gate, which is on the southern border of the Old City that was surrounded by a brick wall and a moat for centuries before the Japanese destroyed the walls in WW2.  You can still see the remnants of the gates around the Old City, because they were restored in the 70s and 80s.  There are shops, street markets, restaurants, hotels, temples, schools, and more within the Old City.  I spent my first couple of days exploring and found a few places that I returned to later for food.  Also, there are massage shops EVERYWHERE!  You’ll see signs for “Thai Massage” on every main street, alley, hotel, spa, and even at temples. From what I’ve seen, the average cost for massages is around 200-250B for an hour.  I found a massage school at a temple that charges 120B for the hour.  That’s around 4USD! How could I resist that price?  I could go there everyday.  

Lessons learned: 

Choose an aisle seat for  long flights

Change phone settings to "Do Not Disturb" at night

Shop around for the best deals

Bag Lady

For weeks leading up to my trip, people asked me if I was packed and ready to go.  Although I had a general idea of what I would take with me, I did not physically organize my things until the night before I left.  Note to self: never do that again.  I was busy packing and cleaning up to the minute it was time to go.  In fact, when I arrived at the airport 90 minutes before the flight, the attendant asked me why I arrived so late.  I was already frustrated, and that is not what I needed to hear at that moment.  I packed 2 carry-on size bags – a backpack and a small rolling suitcase that could fit under the seat.  Everything I needed for the foreseeable future was in those 2 bags.  The ticket agent told me that Qatar Airways allowed carry-ons based on total weight, not size, so I had to check my backpack.  I was upset with myself for making an assumption instead of checking the luggage policy first.  I prayed that my backpack would arrive intact in Chiang Mai at the same time that I arrived.

Lessons learned:

• Pack early and plan to do nothing but relax the day of the flight
• Check the luggage policy for each airline
• Remain calm
  

Pinterest was a great resource for packing tips, which helped me to determine what to bring on this journey.  Check out my final packing list.  I’ll post updates along the way about what worked and what didn’t.

Pile before packing

All the clothes to be rolled

First aid plus

Contacts in an old first aid kit

Clothes 

5 tank tops

4 t-shirts (plus travel shirt)*
1 workout shirt*
2 long sleeve shirts*
1 hoodie (travel)*
1 pair of jeans (travel)
3 shorts
3 yoga pants
1 legging
1 dress
4 sports bras (1 for travel)
1 regular bra
4 pairs of socks (1 for travel)
8 panties
2 period panties
1 sarong

1 visor 

2 swim suits

Note: Nothing on this list requires ironing.  All of my bottoms are black, except for jeans and leggings, so I can mix things up.  *FAMU gear

Shoes

1 pair flip flops
1 pair running shoes
1 pair sandals

1 pair water/swim shoes

First Aid/medical 

1 first aid kit

Ibuprofen
Stomach relief
Antihistamine
Yeast relief
Malarone

1 Neti Pot with salt and baking soda (in contact cases)
cloth for glasses

Hair 

2 loc socs 

1 latch hook

1 hair toothbrush 

1 swim cap

2 microfiber towels for hair
rubber bands
bobby pins
scrunchie

Cleaning 

Clorox wipes

Wet Ones hand wipes

1 bar Fels-Naptha laundry soap 

Purell wipes 

Lysol spray

Toiletries 

toiletry bag 

1 mirror

 2 contact boxes (8 pair)

16 daily contacts (8 pair) 

1 pair bath gloves

1 pair glasses
1 washcloth (packed inside Neti Pot)
1 soap bar
1 Diva Cup
Pantiliners

2 razors 

Soap bar 

toothpaste 

moisturizer 

body oil 

floss 

1 sewing kit 

safety pins 

tweezers 

nail files
nail clippers 

Bags 

1 purse

1 day bag

1 shopping bag 

1 clutch 

1 waist bag 

1 backpack 

1 rolling suitcase 

Miscellaneous 

1 solar charger

Matches 

1 luggage scale

1 poncho
1 inflatable neck pillow
1 running belt
1 swim goggle
Travel adaptors
Mosquito repellent wipes
2 head lamps
Earbuds
Phone holder/stand
Laptop and charger

10 Ziploc bags (quart and gallon) 

3 compression bags

2 journals
1 umbrella
1 flashlight
Incense
1 armband for phone
Snacks
1 hand fan (manual)
1 fan (automatic)

Binoculars

super glue

I forgot to bring my peppermint castile soap, which I use for hair, body, laundry, cleaning, etc.  That soap is good for everything and lasts forever! I also realize after walking around in the rain that I need some waterproof boots if my feet are going to remain comfortable during rainy season.  I'll get the soap and boots next week with my special delivery.

Pack light!

Get Ready, Get Ready, Get Ready!

How do you prepare for a trip around the world?  How do you know what and how much to take?  How many bags are needed?  Will you have enough space to fit everything you need?

Those are questions I asked myself and others have asked me.  I decided that I'm not taking more than I can carry alone, so I've been preparing myself for carry-on luggage only.  I purchased a backpack from Amazon a couple of months ago that I've been testing out on my weekend trips.  I also bought a small rolling suitcase that can fit under the airplane seat.  I'm still not sure if I'll be taking that rolling bag or not.  It might be good for carrying heavy items, like shoes.  I just don't want to be overloaded with bags that make it hard for me to maneuver.  Pinterest has been great for general and specific travel and packing tips, such as packing lists for female travelers in Asia with carry-on luggage only.  Right now, I have a general idea of what I'm taking with me, and I've begun piling things on top of my bag in preparation to be organized later.  I add or remove items based on the advice from other travelers.  I'll post my final packing list before I leave and share whether it worked or not along the way.  I created an Amazon Travel Wish List for items that would be useful on my trip if others would like to contribute to my journey.  Gift cards from Amazon, Airbnb, and Visa would also be greatly appreciated.

In addition to packing, I've been preparing myself physically.  I went to the doctor for travel vaccines and medication and ordered refills on my prescriptions to take with me, including malaria pills.  Most of my immunizations were up to date from previous visits, so I only needed a Tetanus booster and Yellow Fever shot, and I opted for the Typhoid oral vaccine. I do not take medication usually, and I try to prevent and treat illness naturally.  However, I'm preparing a small first aid kit with ibuprofen, anti-diarrheal, and allergy medicine along with bandages and other basic supplies just in case I need that stuff.  I also took swim lessons and self-defense classes to get ready for the adventure.

One of the most important things to have for international (and domestic) trips is travel insurance. My rule is if it will cost more than $400 to get home, then I need travel insurance.  I like to use Travel Guard or I buy another plan if the cost is lower. I looked at Travel Guard and other options, but what I found did not meet my needs.  After I shared my plans with a couple of co-workers and told them that I was looking for travel insurance to cover a trip like mine with indefinite locations and dates, they told me that there was another product available that wasn't widely publicized.  They hooked me up with a manager in that department, and he sent me information for travel insurance that was perfect for me at a very reasonable cost.  If I get sick or need to be evacuated, then I'm covered.

So many doors of opportunity have been opened since I decided to move forward with this trip.  God has put people in my life who have offered to help me in ways that I never expected.  I'm so grateful to have support from people who understand how important an experience like this is for me.  I carry them with me and look forward to sharing this journey.