A Working Nomad Now

September 6, 2015Leave a comment

Somewhere between the Thakek Loop in Laos and Danang Bay in Vietnam… my friend forwarded me a job listing – and the email traveled in minutes all the way from Princeton, NJ to my phone in Four Thousand Islands in the South of Laos.

One really shaky Skype call later and after sending my resume over email – I stopped being a freelancer and I entered the ranks of the employed. I’ve been grinding the last two months in Bangkok, working with an amazing product and marketing team. Last month I visited Bagan in Myanmar, and last week we set up a project in Kirtipur, Nepal.

I’ve been so blessed – but also have struggled immensely over the last few months. It’s easy to lose myself in the distraction of technology or endless tasks. It’s tough to simply surrender and accept the unpleasant things in life. To let the past go. To focus on the present and the future.

I’ve been deeply influenced by Buddhist philosophy – from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, to the teachings of Eckhart Tolle, to wanting to go to Vipasana – and attending a class at the Rangjung Yeshe Institute.

Sometimes I wonder if it’s too late though. Moments like today when my heart spasmed for 20 seconds and I started to feel dizzy. In that moment I thought my heart wouldn’t start beating again, and I was excited at the thought that it might not. I know a candle that burns brightly, burns out faster.

I’ve done a lot, traveled a lot, experienced a lot. I feel like an old woman inside. And biologically, stress makes you age more – the telomeres divide and shorten faster. I know that my stress levels are regularly 10x what is healthy.. but it’s the life I choose.

Mom, Dad, Sonia – I love you. This is in case my heart actually does stop beating tonight. And everyone else, I love you too! It’s been a great ride in this collective boat of humanity. Each day is a blessing, full of both pain and pleasure. Full of samsara. I am sorry to the people who I’ve hurt.

(Alex McGlothlin, I was really mean to you and you didn’t deserve it – and I’m sorry.)

(Jeff Liu, I was also inconsiderate and selfish and you were a great person and great friend. I really love you and hope all is well)

❤ the world, the universe, humanity – and am ready for whatever adventure comes next. Whether it’s another day in this life, or something else beyond. 🙂

Beautiful Motorbike Drive from Hoi An to Hue, Vietnam

June 11, 2015September 6, 2015Leave a comment

We had an unexpectedly beautiful drive from Hoi An through Da Nang to Hue. We drove down the beach highway from Hoi An to Da Nang and had lunch with our friends staying at Night Sky Hotel. See the map at the end for driving directions.

Beaches of Hoi An

These beaches were lovely and mostly filled with locals. The restaurants mostly serve the same fare, we had a delicious Red Snapper. It cost us 30,000 VND per person for a beachside seat in the shade. Of course, bring your own towels.

: Football time on the beach 🙂

: Willem enjoying the water.

On the Road to Hue

In the scenic area, the roads were well-built and fairly new. We only saw a few buses and trucks, but they were easy to pass. The mountains and view of Da Nang bay were stunning – and the pictures don’t quite do them justice. At The Rock Viewpoint over Da Nang Bay you’ll find hawkers selling iced coffee, gasoline, noodles, and bracelets. These ladies were the toughest and sweetest that we’ve encountered so far, they enjoyed listening to Willem’s music and we took a few selfies.

Me and my motorbike – name yet to be chosen.

View of Da Nang bay.

Selfie with the lady hawkers – be careful, they’ll get you to buy!

Thanks for the hat!

Mountains and well built, wide roads – an easy and relaxing drive.

About the Drive

This was an easy 4 hour drive for a total of around 130 km. Leaving at 10 AM from Hoi An, doing some shopping, stopping in Da Nang for lunch, and taking some pictures along the way – we made it to Hue with time to spare before dark.

From Hoi An to Da Nang was new, wide highway along the beach. The first portion from Da Nang to Hue was beautiful and scenic, with views of the mountains and the beach blending and unblending together.

The last 40 km of driving was along highway that is under construction. Trucks, cars, and motorbikes compete for limited space on the road, but there are “extra” lanes under construction that motorbikes pop over to. Requires eye protection from the sand, dust, and smoke that gets kicked up from the large vehicles and from the construction process. Was a bit unpleasant, but didn’t last too long.

Hoi An, Vietnam: Staying Fit in SE Asia, Digital Nomad Edition

June 8, 2015September 6, 2015Leave a comment

Staying fit while traveling is one of the hardest things to do. Casual pushups on the hotel floor squeezed in between the bed and the bags gets old after a while.

Before I started my travels, I was minorly obsessed with yoga and spent my evenings after work exercising and relaxing at the gym.

Currently, I am on a month and a half long motorcycle trip through Laos and Vietnam. After three long days of motorcycling over 600 km from 4,000 Islands across the Laos border to Hoi An, Vietnam, my mind and body were eagerly asking for the gym.

We found Son Phong Gym Club a short bicycle ride away from our homestay. It’s an open gym with fans for air flow. At 11 AM in mid-June it wasn’t as hot as I expected, but we definitely got a good sweat in.

How to get in from Cua Dai Road.

Welcome to Son Phong’s Gym Club at 578 Cua Dai Road, Hoi An, Vietnam

Fans for air conditioning – and motivational posters for both men and women.

The gym is clearly more geared for weight lifting and I hesitated as to whether I wanted to spent 50,000 VND since there wasn’t much space for my yoga exercises. Luckily I’m not afraid of a little dirt and added some weights into my yoga practice.

Willem pumping iron – complete with motorcycling sun burn

Warrior Two at the gym.

My yoga mat and wheel.

TLDR; Son Phong Gym Club – What and Where

Air Conditioning	Fan Only
Cash Cost	50,000 VND
Budget Cost	a little over $2 USD
Weights	8/10
Cardio	None
Stretching	None

NomadList in Bangkok

February 26, 2015September 6, 2015Leave a comment

I just discovered NomadList after meeting Arthur at the Bangkok Visa Office two days ago. I was drawn to a well-designed sticker and sheen of his Macbook, and looked over to see that he was writing some code. A bit starved of the English language and missing technology a bit, I struck up a conversation with him – and it turns out that there is a little community for nomads in Bangkok.

I’m about to leave for a meet-up at The Hive and realize how much I have been missing fellow human beings who share my struggle.

I once again marvel at the Internet and it spurs many questions about the future of our society – but for now, I’m going to explore my newfound identity as a “nomad” and enjoy some good food and new faces. 🙂

Questing for Coherence

Working out my spiritual muscles, taking life one moment at a time at the edge of science and the human experience

Tag: digital-nomads