This interview is wonderful, Samantha. The humour, the vividness, the thoughtfulness! This Salon series just gets better and better! Last year we spent almost a month in Bangkok and it remains one of mine and my husband’s favourite cities on the planet. Special shoutout to the street-fried chicken (we remain at an impasse about whether it’s the best fried chicken in the world…), the mango sticky rice (definitely the best dessert on the planet!), the MINDBLOWING street life, and completely intoxicating pulse of the city. Absolutely nowhere is like Bangkok! 🥰
Ahh Aoife, I'm so jealous! I'm dying to go to Bangkok--it's one of the reasons I wanted to do this interview. It sounds chaotic, but in a fun way rather than an exhausting way. And I want to try some non-Westernized Thai food. Thanks for being here and reading ❤️
You will love it! And I think it’s also important to emphasise that Chiang Mai is just as essential as Bangkok! Especially for true khao soi — the best Thai dish of all!!!
I enjoyed reading this perspective from “deep travelers” Michael and Brent, especially as someone who loves to travel but hasn’t been able to follow this approach. You really don’t acquire a deeper understanding of a culture and people when you skip from place to place, but sometimes you’re able to return and appreciate what you missed the first or second time. I do agree that, whether the visit is short or long, it’s the people who make the difference and that you remember in the long run.
Same here, Ruth--traveling "deeply" just isn't possible for everyone (including me), so I always enjoy hearing those perspectives. And yet there is still so much we can learn even on the shortest of visits!
Love these questions and answers! One of my best friends' mother is from Thailand, of Chinese heritage, and my experience with that country basically comes through that relationship. But I've never been further east into Asia than Dubai and Saudi Arabica, which is technically Asia but really basically the Middle East... I am obsessed with Thai food and the pics of the temples seem incredible. The heat/humidity combo would be overwhelming I think.
Wow, wonderful pictures, wonderful story. Samantha, I am just catching up after a long hiatus from your Substack. These are such well-written pieces. I just read your last piece on Egypt -- so concerning about the fate of the country as it could face a flood of refugees, or they are trapped in Gaza. I don't get much of this kind of news or first-person accounts in the states. I might like to do a video interview with you this summer, once I am done with courses, if you are available, for my Global Citizens Substack. https://jimbuie.substack.com/s/global-citizens
OMG, the heat! Last summer when I was suffering in Napoli I heard that you're supposed to eat spicy foods to help your body cool down, but I couldn't do it.
I've never been to Thailand and enjoyed this read by two awesome adventurers!
I've heard the same! I feel like eating spicy foods makes you sweaty, which should theoretically help cool you down, but then you're just....sweaty, but also still pretty hot?? I'm with you, I don't think I could bear it, especially if it's already that humid.
This interview is wonderful, Samantha. The humour, the vividness, the thoughtfulness! This Salon series just gets better and better! Last year we spent almost a month in Bangkok and it remains one of mine and my husband’s favourite cities on the planet. Special shoutout to the street-fried chicken (we remain at an impasse about whether it’s the best fried chicken in the world…), the mango sticky rice (definitely the best dessert on the planet!), the MINDBLOWING street life, and completely intoxicating pulse of the city. Absolutely nowhere is like Bangkok! 🥰
Ahh Aoife, I'm so jealous! I'm dying to go to Bangkok--it's one of the reasons I wanted to do this interview. It sounds chaotic, but in a fun way rather than an exhausting way. And I want to try some non-Westernized Thai food. Thanks for being here and reading ❤️
You will love it! And I think it’s also important to emphasise that Chiang Mai is just as essential as Bangkok! Especially for true khao soi — the best Thai dish of all!!!
I enjoyed reading this perspective from “deep travelers” Michael and Brent, especially as someone who loves to travel but hasn’t been able to follow this approach. You really don’t acquire a deeper understanding of a culture and people when you skip from place to place, but sometimes you’re able to return and appreciate what you missed the first or second time. I do agree that, whether the visit is short or long, it’s the people who make the difference and that you remember in the long run.
Same here, Ruth--traveling "deeply" just isn't possible for everyone (including me), so I always enjoy hearing those perspectives. And yet there is still so much we can learn even on the shortest of visits!
Love these questions and answers! One of my best friends' mother is from Thailand, of Chinese heritage, and my experience with that country basically comes through that relationship. But I've never been further east into Asia than Dubai and Saudi Arabica, which is technically Asia but really basically the Middle East... I am obsessed with Thai food and the pics of the temples seem incredible. The heat/humidity combo would be overwhelming I think.
I'm with ya on the heat/humidity combo! I could barely handle the heat and humidity in DC summers, which was nowhere near Thailand's level!
Wow, wonderful pictures, wonderful story. Samantha, I am just catching up after a long hiatus from your Substack. These are such well-written pieces. I just read your last piece on Egypt -- so concerning about the fate of the country as it could face a flood of refugees, or they are trapped in Gaza. I don't get much of this kind of news or first-person accounts in the states. I might like to do a video interview with you this summer, once I am done with courses, if you are available, for my Global Citizens Substack. https://jimbuie.substack.com/s/global-citizens
Thank you so much, Jim! That sounds super intriguing--feel free to shoot me a message whenever you're ready and we'll chat about it!
OMG, the heat! Last summer when I was suffering in Napoli I heard that you're supposed to eat spicy foods to help your body cool down, but I couldn't do it.
I've never been to Thailand and enjoyed this read by two awesome adventurers!
I've heard the same! I feel like eating spicy foods makes you sweaty, which should theoretically help cool you down, but then you're just....sweaty, but also still pretty hot?? I'm with you, I don't think I could bear it, especially if it's already that humid.