Thai Smiles: Hosted By Akeapot In Maha Sarakham

Thailand. Perhaps my most anticipated destination for the past year or two. Thai food. I had promised Ake so many times I would come find him. And his Thai food. I took myself to the dusty Isaan province and rode my first songteau to his small university town. I made it clear that other than… Read More

My Krispy Kreme Donut Challenge

I am far too attached to food. And within the world of food, I am far too attached to Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Doughnuts. I don’t like the other flavors or the other bakeries. And sometimes I have an idea, such as running some number of miles, eating an entire box of joy in one… Read More

Things I Cannot Ignore Regarding Anny

To my pleasant astonishment, a girl from the Brazilian Amazon reached out to me on Instagram. I had posted about some clinical volunteering with a medical team from Yangon and was about to head to ThaBarWa for my first experience with social work. Anny told me she was a doctor, and asked if I knew… Read More

Barefoot Begging And Patient Caring At ThaBarWa Meditation Center

Life was hard and it was what I needed. During my week with the 3,000 residents (1,000 of which are patients) of this donations-run sanctuary for all, I focused on self discipline and awareness of the present. I woke at five to meditate, ate two meals a day, and meditated once more in the evenings.… Read More

A Lengthy Thought On Donations

  Southeast Asian Summer Day 32 Yangon, Myanmar Three days of medical experience were done. I finally got to sleep in, so naturally I felt the need to draft a Go Fund Me from my phone in bed and unexpectedly raise enough for not one, but two refrigerators over the course of breakfast because even… Read More

Clinical Volunteering In Yangon: Finding Truth In My Intentions

In Burmese, Yangon means void of danger.  After nearly a month of sightseeing, I was ready to volunteer and connect with a local community of medical staff to take away the dangers that patients in the rural jungle villages might suffer from. Nothing felt more reaffirming of “Yes, I want to be a doctor” than seeking a presence… Read More

Shan State: Over The Gokteik And Across Inle

The more I travel the more I find alone-ness to be dangerously addicting. I submerged in this feeling I have tried explaining before as I took a train across an engineering wonder of the rail world and a boat ride through parts of a famed lake. Two of Myanmar‘s most iconic landmarks would have been ideal at… Read More

Shan State: Adventuring Around Hsipaw

Usually ignored by most backpacker itineraries, Hsipaw and it’s ever-growing popularity was a nice little town that many use as a base for jungle treks and village home stays. I checked out the ruins in “Little Bagan,” listened to a tragic love story in the historic Shan Palace, and befriended a couple Oregonian hippies who… Read More

Kachin State: Elusive Elephants At Lake Indawgyi

When visiting Myanmar’s largest lake one will find a ring of quiet villages, a floating pagoda, and few foreigners. Working elephants have been traditionally used by the Burmese for logging and some were still around the lake. Upon learning this, seeing one of the gentle giants quickly became my sole goal for this destination.    … Read More