Writing From: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Finding My Rhythm

I have found a rhythm in Chiang Mai that I have never had before.

The days are so easy here. They flow into one another, and the weeks melt into each other. There is so much to do, yet no rush to do any of it.

Chiang Mai is a city that invites you in and makes it difficult to leave.

As Thai people say, “Sabai, sabai,” which roughly means that everything is relaxed and encourages people to take it easy.

Why Chiang Mai—and Not Koh Phangan or Koh Samui

When I arrived in Bangkok, I intended to travel throughout Thailand for two months straight. I went to Koh Phangan, then Koh Samui, before escaping to Chiang Mai.

I did not enjoy my time in Koh Phangan and honestly think it is one of the worst places I have ever visited. I will write about that experience soon. Koh Samui was a sweet escape, but I didn’t really feel connected to the island.

In Chiang Mai, it is easy to blend in and feel as though I belong. So many locals have asked me, “How long have you lived here?”

I have now been in Chiang Mai for six weeks. I have no idea how the days have slipped by so quickly. At the same time, I have felt as though time has frozen while I have been here.

A Typical Day in Chiang Mai

Each day, I wake up early and find a café to visit. I am a big fan of Fern Forest, a café in the middle of the city that feels as though it is hidden in the jungle; Café Caramellow, where I had caramel sticky rice croissants in a garden; Lady and the Fox, where I indulged in matcha and blueberry cheesecake pancakes; and Baan Thuri, one of my favorite local spots.

(Blueberry cheesecake pancakes at Lady and the Fox, Chiang Mai)

I have my pancakes and tea, then spend some time reflecting and writing.

Afterward, depending on which neighborhood I am in, I find myself walking through the streets. If I am in the Old City, I look around and make note of all the food spots I want to try. When I am in Nimman, I get distracted by window shopping.

Some mornings, I start my day with aerial yoga at YOGA FLY Chiang Mai or take a Muay Thai class at Dang Muay Thai Gym. These classes have introduced me to many locals, which has been really helpful.

(Aerial yoga class at YOGA FLY Chiang Mai with instructor Kru Tha)

For lunch, I always go to a local spot. The key is to find somewhere filled with Thai people. Then I rest in my Airbnb for a little while, get up for dinner, watch the sunset in a beautiful park, and call it a day.

From meditating in temples and discovering cafés to walking through the jungle and eating until my stomach hurts, there is so much to do. Still, I never feel pressured to do everything at once.

I am never bored because I am always surrounded by so much beauty here. On many days, I can eat well, explore the city, and enjoy myself on a budget of around $15 per day.

Who Chiang Mai Is For—and Who It Is Not

The energy of this city is incredibly welcoming, but it seems to attract a very specific kind of traveler: someone looking to pause and reflect, or simply someone moving through a deep transitional period. At least, that is what I have noticed about the travelers who feel called to stay here.

Some people come for only a few days and say there is nothing to do. I have never heard a more false statement. There are so many adventures to be had here, but Chiang Mai may not reveal itself to people who are rushing through it.

This is a city for people who are willing to slow down enough to notice it.

Learning to Pause

Perhaps it is the friendly smiles of the Thai people, the eagerness with which other expats greet me, and the slowness of the city that have captivated me so deeply.

Maybe I am not being held hostage by the city. Maybe I am simply being invited to pause, take a breath, and enjoy where I am in life.

From Jahra,
With Love