Susan Chiang Mai

Hello there!

My name is Susan and I am a 26-year-old living with my partner Andy in Austin, Texas after a year spent abroad–mostly in Thailand, but eventually venturing to locations all around the northern hemisphere. This website exists to document that adventure.

We moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand because, despite my geography degree, I had never lived abroad as an adult or spent much time in a developing country. I wanted a challenge, and Andy said, “Ok! Let’s go! How can I help?” and that’s one reason I’m marrying him. While based in Chiang Mai, we attended Thai language classes, ate inconceivably delicious food, and rode our scooter to the lake, taking sojourns to other countries in the region all the while.

When we were ready to return home (well, Andy was ready, I was not), we did it the long way, visiting 14 additional countries, staying with friends in Nepal, visiting Beijing on National Day, tackling the Trans-Siberian Railway, eating across Istanbul, and venturing through Europe by train. When all that was done, we took a fancy ocean liner to New York City just in time for Christmas 2012.

I’m sure by now you’ve got a few suspicions about us. To confirm, yes, Andy and I are those people–the ones who quit jobs when there are only approximately six jobs in the entire country to go spend years of savings on something entirely unpractical. We did it because we’re young, able, and because we can. In my observation of the world, getting up and doing something entirely different from what you’ve been accustomed only gets harder. (See here for more elaboration.) Though we worked hard to save enough money to make this happen, we are aware that we are extremely privileged.

I’ve barely begun telling the story of our travels, though the travels themselves are quite finished by now. I hope you’ll stick along as I unearth photos, sift through notes, and compose stories.

I have no idea what I will do next.

For more about why I went to Thailand, try reading these posts:

For travel stories, anecdotes, journals, and packing lists, check out the Travel Category in full.

For information on Chiang Mai as a place to live, see the Expat Life in Chiang Mai Category.

For information on traveling in Southeast Asia, these are the most useful posts:

 

 

11 Responses to About

  1. Hallie says:
    December 3, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    I so look forward to following your journey over the coming months. I have enjoyed my new membership into the world of blogging and I look forward to keeping it up. Good to have people like you settin the standard high! My mom spent some time in chiang Mai a few years ago and went to some rad cooking classes I think. I also had a friend just teaching English there for 6 months so maybe I’ll have some tips for you when I get back stateside in a few weeks!! Safe travels and can’t wait to see pics!

    Reply
  2. Crystal says:
    January 28, 2012 at 8:47 am

    Susan you sound just like my boyfriend Paul and I! We have yet to take the plunge but dream of an early, early retirement! Just buying a sailboat and sail the Caribbean Sea for as long as we can. A little more sailing experience under our belts and some money in our savings and sails up!
    I think it is admirable that the two of you are setting off on this adventure together. I wish you only happiness, adventure and good company.
    Much Love,
    Crystal

    Reply
    • Susan says:
      January 31, 2012 at 7:59 pm

      Thank you, Crystal! Good luck on your sailboat ventures. Saving up is hard, hard, hard, but it can totally be done. And it is SO worth it.

      Reply
  3. nagehan says:
    January 31, 2012 at 9:12 pm

    This is awesome! I love blogs about living in other countries. I’m glad you decided to do this when you’re 25 and not 30 because it does get harder to do things as you get older. I’ve plans to move to Turkey with my boyfriend and I can’t wait to blog about living in Istanbul :) Cheers!

    Reply
  4. V F says:
    March 10, 2012 at 7:16 pm

    I moved to Thailand long before you were born and I was younger than you are now. I’m sure it is a very different journey today than it was back in the mid 70’s but one thing is still pretty certain. Thailand and living abroad will leave its mark. You will never again be that person you once were.

    If you are anything like me you will consider yourself blessed but many who knew the old you might view things differently in the coming years. Good luck, no regrets and enjoy the ride.

    Reply
    • Susan says:
      March 13, 2012 at 3:34 pm

      I’m so glad you dropped by! I’ve been reading your site for quite sometime (notorious lurker) and appreciate the insight you give as a long-term expat.

      Quite honestly, the move to Thailand was easier than expected for me–an important awakening that places everywhere age, develop, and change. I can’t quite imagine what it would have been like before the internet and before the globalization of the last 20 years.

      Reply
  5. Phanit says:
    June 5, 2012 at 4:20 am

    Hi Susan! Thank you for stopping by my blog today, I was excited about your comment! As you can see, I’m still new to the blog world and have been kinda hiding for the longest time. I will have to subscribe to your blog when I get home tonight and do some major stalking to read up on your posts – I think it’s great that you and your BF moved to Thailand! Do it when you’re young and have fun!! I’m so envious! Looking forward to following you along and seeing Thailand through your eyes! And yes – reading my blog definitely counts for studying German!

    Reply
  6. Elizabeth says:
    June 29, 2012 at 8:26 am

    Just found your blog and I am looking forward to reading more of your posts. I am also an expat living in Bangkok (super jealous your in Chiang Mai, I gotta stop working for more money!) and can relate to a lot of your posts! Be well!

    Reply
  7. Sarah says:
    July 11, 2012 at 2:25 am

    Hi, I just came across you’re blog via 20sb, and you’ve made want to hop on the very next plane to Bangkok. I’m so jealous, really miss Asia. But I love your site and I’m looking forward to reading to more about your adventures.

    Reply
  8. Colleen Brynn says:
    October 26, 2012 at 4:14 am

    I am really pleased I’ve found your blog! Look forward to reading more in the future. Would love it if you checked out mine as well! x

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


9 − = five

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

CommentLuv badge

If you liked what you read, please consider sharing it!
Reddit Facebook Twitter StumbleUpon