Last week, I took an unexpected up to Chiang Mai for a week. After Phuket and Krabi, I had no plans to go anywhere and actually had planned to stay in Bangkok a bit, but plans changed. Hannah was going to go spend time on the islands, but there was rain, so she headed north instead and I followed behind since I had to make a trip up there at some point anyway. So, I booked a flight and a place to stay (in Nimman per my usual). It was going to be a Sunday-Sunday trip (it was the least disruptive to my students. Other than meeting up with my friends, I had no other plans.

Oh, while I was in Bangkok for a week, I made a new friend. Jinzi – she’s from the States, but is also Chinese. We went had had some moo krata together. I had plans with her and Hannah to check out the walking street on Sunday (because it’s not to be missed). However, the walking street turned out to be cancelled because of the election. We did still find food to eat and bubble tea to drink. I worked a bit before meeting up with Ben and friends at Lecker Bistro & Cafe (where he worked). We ended up going to a Thai nightclub and I got home around 3a and hanging out a bit more back in my apartment before calling it a night. I had to still working an hour in the morning.

On Monday, I had lunch with my friend, Gluay (a friend from BKK) and her boyfriend Mike. Hannah and Ben joined us. We all grabbed some ice cream from my favorite spot afterwards from Baan i-Tim. And later that night, Hannah and I had dinner plans at Funky Grill (where they have a very delicious and decently priced plum wine.

On Tuesday, we were total bums and had started watching “My Friends and Neighbors” on Apple TV+. I worked a tiny bit, but later that night, we were meeting up with Jinzi and Gabe for dinner at Yingkun Shabu, our fave cheap buffet.

On Wednesday, Ben and I made plans with our friends to go bamboo rafting (Hannah, Fon and Josh). Afterwards, Ben and I would head up to Huay Kub Kab (a place that had been on our bucket list for 3 years! We’ve been wanting to wake up above the clouds to see the sea of fog roll in, in the morning.

On Thursday, we checked out and headed back down the mountain. We got back in time to catch Hannah at Khun Yai Khao Soi before she caught her train back down to BKK. Afterwards, I had to work and also got a mani/pedi. Now, my nails are nice and fresh.

Friday and my week is winding down. I took it easy and just met up with Jinzi for dinner at Papa Curry.

Saturday was my last night in town. It was a packed day. I had a movie date with Gluay & Mike to see Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. Afterwards, Fluke and Lookpad were picking me up to go cafe hopping and then to the Saturday walking street. After the cafes, we walked the walking street with Jinzi and Gabe. Then I had to work a quick hour. This quick hour was when it decided to rain, so I had to take a cab to meet Jinzi and Ben at Ram Bar for the drag show.

At Ram Bar, some of Jinzi’s coliving people met up with us. We all ended up going out to Zoe in Yellow (with a quick shot at Havana’s and a quick beer at Hakuna Matata. After Zoe, we grabbed a quick bite before heading to Spicy for more nightclub vibes. I got home late, but on Sundays I can sleep in. Which I did and then packed before heading to the airport.

It was a little but unfulfilling as I wasn’t able to meet up with 2 of my friends. One was sick at the beginning of the week and then was headed out of town. The other was busy and ended up injured and with COVID. So maybe next time!