Stacking

 

Stacking = Combining Countries

I tend to enjoy this kind of thing, especially if I have a minimum of 3-4 weeks to travel.

Some of my favorite ones

Spain + Portugal

Singapore + Malaysia + Thailand

Belgium + Luxembourg

Italy + France

Estonia + Latvia + Lithuania

Uzbekistan + Kazakhstan

Chile + Argentina

Czech Republic + Austria + Hungary

The Cure

The cure for anxiety and depression in Thailand would be a good massage, I must say.  I think long walks that break a good sweat would be worthwhile there.  Some regular intellectual conversations with a trusted fellow expat could also stave off a loneliness spell.  

People who really go "off the wagon" are those who drink early and drink alone.  

I also am a strong proponent of talk therapy with a caring professional. Great friendships could perhaps negate the need for a therapist. I read once that "therapy is paying to talk to a friend."

I do appreciate your friendship, and just staying connected. Lots of what we discuss (overseas living and experiences) would not be understood by everyone.  

- e-mail to a friend in 2022

Europa

* 2016 e-mail to a friend who was considering a trip to Prague

I wish I had my old Prague contacts. All I can say is Prague has always been on a list of places where I would like to return. I also loved Budapest and Salsburg, which are nearby.  In addition, if you have the time, I would highly recommend Krakow (plus concentration camp), a city in the Ukraine (just across the Poland border) named Lviv, and the Baltic nations. To me, Estonia was very beautiful and perhaps the most surprising of my stops. Let me know of your plans as they come together. I too have thought of Europe, since South America is having its problems. I want to go to Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo! Who knows when and how? 

We did go to Amsterdam in 2018, and this year we enjoyed Copenhagen. There's a strong possibility we will go to Stockholm and Oslo in 2027.

Dreaming

This is just a snippet of what this person shared. He talked about feeling anxious and worried, plus he seemed to be dwelling on what others might think. I decided to give him my two cents.

 

Most Beautiful Countries

These were my replies.

Speaking Thai

Makes A Difference

When you travel to a place for a period of time and certainly live there, it's wise to learn the local language.

Big Adjustment

When you arrive in a place that has a twelve hour time difference, it takes two weeks before you start feeling like your normal self. If people have the time and money, I recommend they go to Thailand for a minimum of 3-4 weeks.

Here are notes from the first couple of days of a trip we made.

May '22 

Slept five hours: 3 pm till 8 pm. Now up for dinner. Still adjusting to time difference. Was on metro this morning at 6:15. Walked five miles. Yesterday walked 8 miles. Muggy.

Now just woke up. 3 AM here. The most amazing deep sleep. So ate dinner at 8 pm, went back to sleep at 9 or so. Slept 6 hours. I am doing what my body desires. This morning I will meet a Milwaukee friend 15 metro stops plus 9 skytrain stops from here. I can cover it in one hour. I am meeting him at 7:30 AM at a swimming pool for coffee, breakfast and laps. He likes to be done by 9 AM. After that I will do some walking, get my second massage, then have lunch. Probably about 1 or 2 pm, I will jump on metro to return home. Kade will have been out with her mom.

Was at the swimming pool at 7:15 AM.  Got a 90 minute massage in the early afternoon.  Enjoyed a big bowl of coconut ice cream before falling asleep at 3 pm.  Slept till 8 pm.  That would be 3 AM to 8 AM back home, so body is doing the familiar.  In the morning we are going to a nearby market to check out the durian, eat breakfast and buy foods to eat later for lunch and dinner.  No other plans.  Lol 😂

Planting a Seed

I once told a young lady, "No matter what, with English as your native language, so long as you complete your college studies, you can virtually go anywhere overseas and teach English for a year and break even. So don't let money stop you." Then she had that I-doubt-that-could-ever-happen-to-me-look. I just said, "Well, I am from a small Alabama town, and if I can do it, you can." I told her how I had met people overseas who had super thick Southern accents and even were rednecks and hicks, but they found a way. They were learning about themselves, and they had jobs teaching English. Incidentally, this girl had no obvious accent or anything...just had the pressures and doubts that life can cast on you without your consent. Who knows where it will lead? During my travels or early days before I ever really traveled, there were encounters with others that planted a seed. You have to start somewhere.

Experiences

This is an e-mail reply I made to a friend who has a lot of unique travel experiences.  We were talking about the pressure to make money and the forfeiture of living well as a result of pursuing the almighty dollar. 

We all need money...up to a point.  But there are a lot of people accumulating much, following the herd and seemingly not enjoying life.  There's a price to pay for pursuit of riches.  It may be a lack of sleep, job you don't like, long commute, family that hates you, etc..  but walking around Tokyo or sleeping in a yurt in Mongolia, all the money won't make that happen if people don't have the time or sense of adventure.  And those experiences surpass all the excess possessions in my book.

Street Interviews

He's on Khao San Rd in Bangkok, talking with people from Chile, France, Hungary, Australia, USA and Italy.  I like the first man, and the solo female traveler from Chile.  Wow.  Great advice.

Things I Picked Up

I was telling someone once that one of the keys to life, if you travel a lot, is to incorporate what you can into your life back home.  If you see something intriguing or fascinating, ask yourself if it's possible to make that part of your everyday life once you return.  

Shoes off at door - Asia

Matcha - Japan

Espresso machine - Italy

Massage - Europe & Asia 

Chopsticks - Asia

Artwork - all over

Use of one car - many places

Squat toilet - Asia

Hang-drying clothes - Asia

Massage - Asia

Sauna - Europe & Asia

Authentic Meals - many places

Budget for Asia

These numbers show a high-side budget for modest but very comfortable living, plus days at each destination. The budget includes all airfare and travel expenses. You'd also have a day or two built in to each destination for a chance to do nothing but relax and recover. Just something to be thinking over the next year. You may discover other Asian destinations or other places in Thailand that appeal, as you research. But this is very good first approach.

4 weeks (5k)

Chiang Mai (8), Bangkok (8), Southern Thai islands (8) + Singapore, Hong Kong or Tokyo (6)

6 weeks (7k)

Chiang Mai (10), Bangkok (10), Southern Thai islands (10) + Hong Kong (7) + Tokyo (7)

7 weeks (8k)

Chiang Mai (10), Bangkok (10), Southern Thai islands (10) + Singapore (7) + Hong Kong (7) + Tokyo (7).

If you choose a more backpacker lifestyle on the road, you could could easily shave off 1 or even 2k.

- I made these estimates in 2022 to help a first-time traveler to Asia.

Airbnb or Hotels?

I have used Airbnb for at least six years, on trips to Highlands (NC), Headland (AL), Florence, Paris, Amsterdam, Granada, Seville, Ronda, Lisbon, Porto, Maine, Charleston, etc..  Better rates than hotels for the same quality or higher.  - note to a friend in 2022

I have recently have had more hotel experiences - in Madrid and Sydney, for example.  

Which would you choose?  And why?

Packing Notes

source

These are tips I gave to a relative who was traveling for the first time to Southeast Asia.  It was going to be the early part of the rainy season.

*Pants - Hiking pants are great: wrinkle-free, roll-up, breathable, easy to dry and wash, casual but nice enough to pass for restaurants that have a dress code.  A big mistake would be to take blue jeans of any type or thick cargo pants or thick shorts.  You could take a pair of khakis if you want to dress a bit nicer at times.  

*Shirts - Golf shirts are great (for same reason as the pants).  The collar on those shirts helps you get into rooftop bars.  T-shirts are still fine.  I would go lighter colors to not attract sun.  T-shirts with cool designs and logos you can easily buy over there.  And so cheap.  You can get them in Bangkok or in the mountains or at beach.  And then you don’t have to take any from here.  The nicer stuff, though, like your pants and collared shirts, can be bought over there, but size could be tougher to get, and can be pricey.  Last trip i didn't even carry a t-shirt, except to sleep in.  Cotton tees get so hot now, and i sweat a lot in them.  The easy-dry golf type shirts are the way i go.  So comfy.

*Shoes - a very good pair of walking shoes.  I have New Balance.  Swear by them.  I walk 20-25 miles a week in Asheville and replace my shoes every 3-4 months.  Also, i have a very comfy tan pairs of loafers that are also great for walking and look nice for restaurants and what not.  I will wear them with my hiking pants that are versatile enough to be smart casual.

*Socks - the socks runners and hikers use are great - very durable, but not very thick. You might end up handwashing them. 

*Rain jacket - very little or no insulation, easy roll-up, maybe something you can easily carry in your shoulder bag.  You can buy umbrellas over there if you want to stay drier.

*Swimwear for the beach.  Something comfy enough to perhaps even wear on scooter when you ride around.  I wouldn't worry about flip-flops.  You can buy there.  Also, your loafers will come in handy.  I can wear them with my swimsuit and t-shirt ( or golf shirt).  My collared shirts and loafers will do for me at the beach. 

*Shorts for the beach - might be smart to bring a pair or two.  Sometimes i think a single pair works, and rotate the shirts with them.

*Wallet - just one that has some slots for cards and docs, place for money.  Not too big, cause you may want to keep it in your front pockets from time to time.  Even in Asheville, I keep my wallet in front pocket.  Gotten so used to it.  Plus, when i sit, i don't have an object to sit on.  Lol

*Readers - If you use readers, i would carry a backup pair.  You can still get them over there.

*Toiletries - I try to get creative.  You can buy everything over there.  But to get through airports and first few days, i make take travel sizes from here.   Toothbrush, small toothpaste, small deodorant i will take.  We can talk about all this.   I buy foam shaving cream there.  I just try to keep it smart b/c i don't want an overstuffed bag.  I shave my head and face every few days there.  If you need clippers, i would get battery-powder. You will also find barbers there who can do whatever you desire...and inexpensive. 

*Medication - over-the-counter stuff, easy to find over there.  But i take a small amount of tums, advil, cough drops, etc...just to get me there.  7-11 and pharmacies are everywhere.

*A small bottle of cologne or one that's almost empty might be good to take.  Finish it and leave the bottle.  Dab here, dab there.  You can also buy over there.   You will be in a sweaty environment around lots of folks.  So if you have a favorite cologne, why not bring it? Lol

*Sun hats - definitely have one or two with wide brims.  You can wear a baseball cap, too, but won't keep the sun off your face and back of neck.  But baseball caps are fairly popular there.  I even see Asian girls wearing them.  More of a fashion thing.

*I don't wear a watch and wear no rings or necklaces.  More to manage.  I keep it simple.

*You'll probably end up handwashing some socks, undies and even a favorite pair of pants or a shirt.  However, we will go to laundromats and/or pay somebody to do our laundry.  Usually very cheap.  That's another reason, though, why you don't want to carry expensive brands.  Could get damaged, or even lost.  Things happen.

Asia Routes

Starting in south and moving north.

1 month Asia

Ubud, Bali - one week

Singapore - one week

Thai islands - one week

Bangkok - one week

6 weeks - a week in each

Ubud

Singapore

Thai Islands

Bangkok

Chiang Mai

*Seoul, or return to Hong Kong or Japan 

* You could always add Kuala Lumpur or Borneo (part of Malaysia) after Singapore, and drop the idea of heading way up to South Korea.

These are some ideas I gave to a friend in 2020.

Far Fewer

A friend who enjoys traveling reached out to me.

You once said, if I recall, that I gathered experiences and not possessions. Overall, I think you have a valid point. Your analysis is astute, and perceptive.

My reply: Those will be with you to the end, and you can relive them over and over, in your thoughts and with your friends.  Still, we need some creature comforts: good bed, decent clothing and shoes, and possibly other things.  But, I bet we'd all be alright with fewer things....far fewer.

Street Foods

- message to a cousin who was traveling with me to Bangkok

When we're over there, it will be easy to point out some good eats.  Grilled meats, especially pork and chicken, are usually very good.  Make sure you order some sticky rice with it.  There's one type called Moo Satay.  Moo means pork.  It has a coconut marinade, and it's tasty.  They offer a cucumber vinegar side salad, but I don't eat it. I usually skip uncooked items at food stalls, simply to avoid the possibility of getting an upset stomach.  Cooked things don't concern me so much.  

Street Interviews

Chai is on Khao San Rd in Bangkok.  He Talks with people from Chile, France, Hungary, Australia, USA and Italy.  I like the first man and the solo female traveler from Chile.  Wow!  Great advice. 

WowS

In 2013, I e-mailed my friend Kyoko some thoughts on travel ideas - for her, for me.

*I def would recommend Paris, London and Germany.  Had great experiences in those places.  Paris, by far, has the best cuisine.  It's like comparing Thai to Cambodian food.  

*Croatia is supposed to be very beautiful, too, and you can ferry there from Italy. 

 

*Krakow is another place I'd like to visit, just to visit the WW2 concentration camp.

 

*India is another place I'd like to return, but a visit there and to less developed places (like Bangladesh) seem so exhausting.  Nepal, though, wow.  A train journey around india.....wow....could be good.

 

*And the USA....gosh, so big, so diverse in its topography and culture.  something for everyone.  Boston, NYC, Chicago, LA, San Fran, Miami....of large cities, would blow your mind!

 

*I may be making a return trip to Uzbekistan this year...w/ my 86 yr old uncle.  Uzb is tough place, and not easy. but the people are great.

*And, oh, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, where my ancestors came from, are places I'd like to visit.  I could travel weeks and weeks there....driving through the countryside, sipping coffees in London and Dublin....wow.