As we wrap up the school year, the time to reflect on my semester of teaching in Thailand has arrived. Lessons have been learned, homework handed in (most of it, anyway), and all that’s left before summer break are final exams. Here is a view of the primary building on our lovely campus in Nakhon Si Thammarat. … More Teaching in Thailand
It’s been a while since my last blog post. I’ve been settling into a new pace of life, living and working in Nakhon Si Thammarat, not traveling as much. It’s been a time of deep reflection and inner listening. Although I’ve been practicing yoga for almost ten years and meditation for about two and a … More Stream of Consciousness: Ko Kradan, the Flood, and the Meditative Flow
From Lopburi, I hopped a train to Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong station. Here is a shrine built in honor of the late king. Since his death a couple of weeks ago, all of Thailand appears awash in black and white, from the new national dress code to banners on nearly every building. The overnight train pulled out … More A New Home in Nakhon Si Thammarat
I spent my last few days in Chiang Mai attending yoga workshops and exchanging Facebook messages with my mom during the Cubs games. Then it was time to start heading south to Nakhon Si Thammarat to begin my new life there. I bid farewell as unceremoniously as possible by stealing a move out of my uncle Joe’s … More Lopburi, Thailand
Dear readers, I have a confession to make. In my last post, I told you that I was done traveling for a while. Due to unforeseen circumstances, that is undeniably false. Here I am, back on the road again after less than two weeks. I know, I got some ‘splaining to do. I had every intention … More Chiang Rai, Thailand
I made a stopover in Surat Thani, a city on the mainland peninsula of Southern Thailand, before catching the ferry to the island of Ko Samui the next day. Knowing from experience how jacked up the prices can be in a beach town, I did a little shopping in Surat to stock up on essentials, the … More Ko Samui, Thailand
I had three and a half days to myself before my next visitor, Claudia, arrived. Claudia and Ashley used to work together in Chicago and were excited to reunite. We celebrated Claudia’s birthday with a day trip to nearby Chiang Dao to see the famous caves. Opting for the public fan bus rather than a … More Chiang Dao and Greater Chiang Mai
Greetings from paradise! I am finally catching up on my blog while doing a little seaside relaxation, but not at this beach. This is the last post from the first leg of my trip I didn’t get a chance to write before the second leg started. While I’m currently reporting to you from Ko Samui, … More Krabi, Thailand
The blog has been on hiatus during the first leg of my travels, but it’s back! Expect a zillion updates in the next few days. My dear friend Natalia and I embarked on a three-week journey through Southeast Asia. After spending a few days on her own in Bangkok, she met me in Chiang Mai so I … More The Journey Begins
What I originally planned as a couple of days in Pai has turned into over a week. I boarded this minibus at the terminal in Chiang Mai on Monday. You can see our luggage on the roof. It was about a three hour ride shared mostly with Chinese tourists. The road to Pai is paved with … More Pai, Thailand
Rachel Bernkopf's blog 