My Trip to Thailand: A Photo Diary

The long-awaited post…my study abroad trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand. You all know that I LOVE to travel. I’d always wanted to go to Southeast Asia, but I never knew how to get there and what accommodations I’d have. In May 2019, I chose a global health study abroad trip over the winter break where I got two kill two birds with one stone: visit Northern Thailand and figure out if Global Public Health was for me. I might write a separate post about the last point, but for now here’s the highlight reel of my beautiful trip.

Food

The food, as you can imagine, was amazing. I never really ate Thai food before my trip, but now I definitely crave it. Besides the very normal things you’ll see here, the wildest thing I ate was a cricket. I was with a large group and we all agreed it didn’t taste too bad! I thought it tasted like a potato chip, you just have to get over the fact you’re eating an insect.

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Honorable mentions:

Lemongrass Thai Cuisine: Near our hotel by the busy night markets of Chiang Mai, this cute little restaurant is a great introduction to Thai food with every kind of curry you can imagine and banana rolls. (yes.. like an egg roll. It’s a little too sweet for me but try it if you get the chance!)

Rock Me Burger: A Thai man visited the U.S. and fell in love with the culture of food and Rock n Roll, so he made a restaurant that incorporate both. One of the best burgers I’ve ever had, and they have a burger inspired by Prince with a purple bun! A piece of Mpls all the way in Chiang Mai.

Coffee and Street Food: You really can’t go wrong with any coffee shop or any street food here…actually I apologize not necessarily. Pad Thai for only 50 baht (roughly $1.50) can’t be beat, but be careful of the food you buy at the markets. Never eat any meat that has been sitting out and always watch your food being cooked to ensure freshness. We ain’t getting traveler’s diarrhea and that’s on that. I loved getting the most delicious green tea, egg rolls, gyoza, and pad thai for super cheap.

The Salsa Kitchen: THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD I HAVE EVER EATEN. I can’t believe I only had the chance to eat there once.*chefs kiss*

Places

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From temple-hopping to playing with baby elephants, sleeping under the constellations in the Karen village and having my first ever hike be up the tallest mountain in Thailand (also apart of the Himalayas), what more could you ask for from a trip?

Honorable Mentions:

• The Wat Pha Lat: Super quiet and relaxing temple that looks straight out of Indiana Jones or the video game Uncharted 4. And as you can see, there’s something to take a picture of at every corner. Can’t believe this place exists.
• Day with elephants: I’m not the biggest animal person, but elephants are so intelligent and cute, you have to give it a chance.
• Karen village: Besides the bugs in our living spaces (we’re in their territory, can’t be mad) the beauty of unplugging and getting away from light pollution with sweet and welcoming people is unmatched.

Lastly, the people

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I have plenty more photos, but most of my class doesn’t know about my blog. Out of respect for them, we’ll cap it here. From tagging along with me at every single temple I wanted to see, dragging me to zip-lining in the jungle, stargazing and slow dancing with me to Yellow by Coldplay (and the Crazy Rich Asians version) under the stars in the village, getting lit on Tuesday nights, taking endless pictures for me and my blog, and validating my experiences as a black woman in Asia, thank y’all.

Carpe Diem Challenge: Take as many pictures of your day as you can as if you were on vacation. Take pictures of your coffee in the morning, some flowers on your way to work/school, your outfit, the sunset. If you can’t travel across the globe, be enchanted by the beauty in your everyday life.

Carpe Diem – Seize the Day!
Manyi.