Week 32: Kuala Lumpur

Scootered, ran, hiked, ziplined, and absailed through this week. Kuala Lumpur is not the most glamorous or easy city to live in, but I’m also kind of loving it for how different it is. Culture Notes: Bumiputera, meaning sun of the soil, is the term for a Malaysian of...

Week 31: Kuala Lumpur

I knew this year would fly by but holy crap, this is my eighth city! This week was really defined by the Parea-bod challenge, a fitness competition amongst our group. For those who wanted to participate, we each contributed $10, got partnered up, and between the two...

Week 30: Kyoto

Finally got out of the cities this week, and MAN it was worth it. Really special time with Coach Rich, walking, talking, meeting cool people, and laughing. Differences: Women, one of my favorite topics of comparison. Japan is still remarkably traditional when it comes...

Week 29: Kyoto

A week of exploring with Dad, rallying back from being sick, and avoiding a ‘typhoon’. Can’t blame Japan for not having enough to do and really, not having too much to note. The more I learned about the culture, the more unique I found it. Interesting things: Wabi...

Week 28: Kyoto

This week my body was like “you’re not gonna give me enough rest? Ok, then let me run you over with a truck and make you stay down until you do”. Ya, for five days straight I was in bed, surrounded by tissues, humidifier cranked, and coughing up my intestines. This is...

Week 27: Kyoto

Konnichiwa from Kyoto! One week down in Japan, and it’s been great. Tried ramen for the first time because what better place to do it and seen more brown/white temples in this week than I have in my life (which I guess isn’t saying too much but ya, a lot of temples)....

Week 26: Chiang Mai

Big week! Last week in Thailand annnndd I am officially halfway through Remote Year! Check out my halfway reflections here. Otherwise, I got to play with elephants this week and rode on the back of a motorbike through the pouring rain. Culture: 7/11s are everywherreee...

Week 25: Chiang Mai

This week I lived the life of a true digital nomad in Chiang Mai. Lots of fun workspaces, more temples, and a touch of Wildflower. Culture Notes: Buddhist holiday this week: Asanha Bucha Day. It celebrates the day when the Buddha held his first sermon after his...

Week 24: Chiang Mai

Another insanely packed week in Thailand, but man, this country is awesome. A cabaret, a hike, a Buddhism lesson, a cool museum, and a bamboo raft walked into a bar… Culture Notes: Kha and krub are words said at the end of phrases to add politeness. Kha is more...

Week 23: Chiang Mai

Words can’t describe how much happier I am in Thailand. Lesson learned? Can’t lump Asia into one unit and categorically rule it out. Our Nimman neighborhood in Chiang Mai is so sweet and hip, and there’s a view of the mountains from everywhere including my room. The...