{"id":24707,"date":"2024-03-21T06:54:49","date_gmt":"2024-03-21T10:54:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/we-didnt-want-to-come-to-chiang-mai-because-of-all-of-the-digital-nomads-we-were-idiots\/21\/03\/2024\/"},"modified":"2024-03-21T06:54:49","modified_gmt":"2024-03-21T10:54:49","slug":"we-didnt-want-to-come-to-chiang-mai-because-of-all-of-the-digital-nomads-we-were-idiots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/we-didnt-want-to-come-to-chiang-mai-because-of-all-of-the-digital-nomads-we-were-idiots\/21\/03\/2024\/","title":{"rendered":"We didn&#8217;t want to come to Chiang Mai because of all of the digital nomads. We were idiots."},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Anyone who follows the phenomenon of nomading knows that there are certain \u201chotspots\u201d around the world that are incredibly popular with nomads and long-term travelers: Mexico City, Mexico; Lisbon, Portugal; Medell\u00edn, Colombia; Bali, Indonesia; Bansko, Bulgaria; and Tbilisi, Georgia.<\/p>\n<p>But the One Ring to Rule Them All? Chiang Mai, Thailand, which is probably the world\u2019s most well-known nomad destination.<\/p>\n<p>Which is exactly why Michael and I never wanted to come here. All those nomads? We didn\u2019t leave America to travel the world just to hang out with people exactly like ourselves. And didn\u2019t the whole city exist just to cater to these people? That didn\u2019t seem like a very authentic \u201cThai\u201d experience.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"caas-figure prestige-figure small\">\n<div class=\"caas-img-container caas-img-loader caas-breakout-shift\">\n<div class=\"breakout-img-container caas-img-lightbox\" data-lightbox-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/8BvEo_MjcsMWnXdwAFJ9.g--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI0MDA7aD0xODAw\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-03\/72ffe2f0-dc79-11ee-9beb-65a18aa810f9\"><span class=\"caas-img-wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Brent and Michael in front of the Silver Temple\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/nmCxcOAH70j_JfCEuzrh4A--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-03\/72ffe2f0-dc79-11ee-9beb-65a18aa810f9\" height=\"720\" width=\"960\" class=\"caas-img has-width\"\/><button class=\"link caas-lightbox\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;elm:expand;itc:1\"><span class=\"openArrows icon\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\"><path d=\"M12.372 0.92C12.372 0.414 12.782 0.004 13.287 0.004L21 0L20.996 7.712C20.996 8.217 20.586 8.628 20.08 8.628C19.574 8.628 19.164 8.217 19.164 7.712V3.183L12.337 10.011L10.988 8.663L17.816 1.835H13.287C12.782 1.835 12.372 1.425 12.372 0.92ZM1.835 17.816L8.663 10.988L10.012 12.337L3.183 19.164H7.712C8.218 19.164 8.627 19.574 8.627 20.08C8.627 20.586 8.218 20.995 7.712 20.995L0 21L0.004 13.287C0.004 12.782 0.414 12.372 0.92 12.372C1.425 12.372 1.835 12.782 1.835 13.287V17.816Z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-collapse\">At Chiang Mai\u2019s Silver Temple, which is \u2014 you guessed it! \u2014 made of silver.<span class=\"caption-credit\"> (Michael Jensen)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The thing is, we finally came to Chiang Mai, and <em>we absolutely love it<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Chiang Mai, a city in northern Thailand, is a strange beast. It\u2019s larger than we thought \u2014 more than a million people in the greater area.<\/p>\n<p>But it has a very small town feel, especially in the central \u201cOld City\u201d area, which is almost entirely surrounded by an ancient moat and, often, the remnants of crumbling city walls.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"caas-figure prestige-figure small\">\n<div class=\"caas-img-container caas-img-loader caas-breakout-shift\">\n<div class=\"breakout-img-container caas-img-lightbox\" data-lightbox-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/kD5ED6z8ti_v_Gs.1ItWBQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTIxNjA7aD04OTY-\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-03\/2fc2cb00-dc7a-11ee-bfff-4196249453a3\"><span class=\"caas-img-wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-width\" alt=\"Chiang Mai, Thailand old city walls\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/A3Lxt.2mEzst5KS3NlD3Kg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTM5OA--\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-03\/2fc2cb00-dc7a-11ee-bfff-4196249453a3\" height=\"398\" width=\"960\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Chiang Mai, Thailand old city walls\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/A3Lxt.2mEzst5KS3NlD3Kg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTM5OA--\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-03\/2fc2cb00-dc7a-11ee-bfff-4196249453a3\" height=\"398\" width=\"960\" class=\"caas-img has-width\"\/><button class=\"link caas-lightbox\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;elm:expand;itc:1\"><span class=\"openArrows icon\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\"><path d=\"M12.372 0.92C12.372 0.414 12.782 0.004 13.287 0.004L21 0L20.996 7.712C20.996 8.217 20.586 8.628 20.08 8.628C19.574 8.628 19.164 8.217 19.164 7.712V3.183L12.337 10.011L10.988 8.663L17.816 1.835H13.287C12.782 1.835 12.372 1.425 12.372 0.92ZM1.835 17.816L8.663 10.988L10.012 12.337L3.183 19.164H7.712C8.218 19.164 8.627 19.574 8.627 20.08C8.627 20.586 8.218 20.995 7.712 20.995L0 21L0.004 13.287C0.004 12.782 0.414 12.372 0.92 12.372C1.425 12.372 1.835 12.782 1.835 13.287V17.816Z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-collapse\">The city walls.<span class=\"caption-credit\"> (Michael Jensen)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>And boy, this city really is full of tourists, expats, and, yup, nomads.<\/p>\n<p>Shorter-term travelers often stay in the Old City area \u2014 and since it\u2019s low season, we opted to stay here too.<\/p>\n<p>Longer-term expats and nomads tend to live in the Nimman neighborhood. Meanwhile, expats and immigrants from other parts of the world have their own neighborhoods.<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, prior to Covid, this city was experiencing a serious \u201covertourism\u201d problem. The place really was overrun with foreigners, and the locals were exhausted. Meanwhile, many tourists and most nomads come from countries wealthier than Thailand, and that income disparity can make visitors act entitled. Some locals were understandably resentful.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"caas-figure prestige-figure small\">\n<div class=\"caas-img-container caas-img-loader caas-breakout-shift\">\n<div class=\"breakout-img-container caas-img-lightbox\" data-lightbox-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/xg9bDIYG72HkIuguuMmCbQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI0MDA7aD03MzY-\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-03\/c4e5cf20-dc7a-11ee-aded-a9a2ad3c6700\"><span class=\"caas-img-wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-width\" alt=\"A street in Chiang Mai, Thailand; three Thai kings; a canal\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/LAAn.V46CbiBUh4VpDj1Zw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTI5NQ--\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-03\/c4e5cf20-dc7a-11ee-aded-a9a2ad3c6700\" height=\"295\" width=\"960\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A street in Chiang Mai, Thailand; three Thai kings; a canal\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/LAAn.V46CbiBUh4VpDj1Zw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTI5NQ--\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-03\/c4e5cf20-dc7a-11ee-aded-a9a2ad3c6700\" height=\"295\" width=\"960\" class=\"caas-img has-width\"\/><button class=\"link caas-lightbox\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;elm:expand;itc:1\"><span class=\"openArrows icon\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\"><path d=\"M12.372 0.92C12.372 0.414 12.782 0.004 13.287 0.004L21 0L20.996 7.712C20.996 8.217 20.586 8.628 20.08 8.628C19.574 8.628 19.164 8.217 19.164 7.712V3.183L12.337 10.011L10.988 8.663L17.816 1.835H13.287C12.782 1.835 12.372 1.425 12.372 0.92ZM1.835 17.816L8.663 10.988L10.012 12.337L3.183 19.164H7.712C8.218 19.164 8.627 19.574 8.627 20.08C8.627 20.586 8.218 20.995 7.712 20.995L0 21L0.004 13.287C0.004 12.782 0.414 12.372 0.92 12.372C1.425 12.372 1.835 12.782 1.835 13.287V17.816Z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-collapse\">Scenes from central Chiang Mai.<span class=\"caption-credit\"> (Michael Jensen)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>That said, tourism has also made Chiang Mai very prosperous, the envy of surrounding Thai towns. And Covid reset the whole tourism industry, taming the unpleasant crowds, at least for the time being.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, the city is now both charming and manageable \u2014 a relief for me after the fantastic but overwhelming chaos of Bangkok.<\/p>\n<p>Chiang Mai is flat and walkable \u2014 although, like much of Asia, the sidewalks usually leave something to be desired.<\/p>\n<p>The Old City area is mostly boutique hotels and guest houses, charming cafes and coffee shops, markets and bazaars \u2014 and, of course, restaurants. There is Thai cuisine, yes, but there\u2019s also every imaginable other cuisine. There are four Mexican restaurants within a short walk from our hotel.<\/p>\n<p>And they don\u2019t suck!<\/p>\n<p>Seriously, in most countries \u2014 unlike in America \u2014 it can be very hard to find good, non-local cuisine, at least outside of the big cities.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"caas-figure prestige-figure small\">\n<div class=\"caas-img-container caas-img-loader caas-breakout-shift\">\n<div class=\"breakout-img-container caas-img-lightbox\" data-lightbox-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/Rc5T5q6CCdTEilGgfKuXog--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI0MDA7aD02NDg-\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-03\/6d28e9b0-dc7b-11ee-8cfd-a224e199129f\"><span class=\"caas-img-wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-width\" alt=\"A Buddhist shrine, including an elephant; monks in orange robes; a rickshaw\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/n4mC8QLMmMzCPpssol1z2g--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTI1OQ--\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-03\/6d28e9b0-dc7b-11ee-8cfd-a224e199129f\" height=\"259\" width=\"960\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A Buddhist shrine, including an elephant; monks in orange robes; a rickshaw\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/n4mC8QLMmMzCPpssol1z2g--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTI1OQ--\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-03\/6d28e9b0-dc7b-11ee-8cfd-a224e199129f\" height=\"259\" width=\"960\" class=\"caas-img has-width\"\/><button class=\"link caas-lightbox\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;elm:expand;itc:1\"><span class=\"openArrows icon\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\"><path d=\"M12.372 0.92C12.372 0.414 12.782 0.004 13.287 0.004L21 0L20.996 7.712C20.996 8.217 20.586 8.628 20.08 8.628C19.574 8.628 19.164 8.217 19.164 7.712V3.183L12.337 10.011L10.988 8.663L17.816 1.835H13.287C12.782 1.835 12.372 1.425 12.372 0.92ZM1.835 17.816L8.663 10.988L10.012 12.337L3.183 19.164H7.712C8.218 19.164 8.627 19.574 8.627 20.08C8.627 20.586 8.218 20.995 7.712 20.995L0 21L0.004 13.287C0.004 12.782 0.414 12.372 0.92 12.372C1.425 12.372 1.835 12.782 1.835 13.287V17.816Z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-collapse\">More scenes from Chiang Mai.<span class=\"caption-credit\"> (Michael Jensen)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Oh, and Thai food in northern Thailand tends to be far less spicy than in southern Thailand. I\u2019m on record as loving <a data-i13n=\"cpos:1;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brentandmichaelaregoingplaces.com\/p\/my-quest-for-the-secret-of-thai-cuisine-e1d\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:the complexity of Thai cuisine;cpos:1;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><strong>the complexity of Thai cuisine<\/strong><\/a><strong>,<\/strong> but \u2014 and I\u2019m a bit embarrassed to admit this \u2014 back in Bangkok and even down south in the islands, there was usually at least one dish in almost every meal that set my mouth aflame.<\/p>\n<p>Chiang Mai also has a zillion interesting things to do in the mountains and jungles that surround the city, along with plenty of stunning natural beauty.<\/p>\n<p>But be forewarned: most visitors to Europe eventually discover something called Cathedral Fatigue; the Thailand corollary is Temple Fatigue. In all of Thailand, there seems to be a 7-Eleven on every block \u2014 and also at least one temple.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"caas-figure prestige-figure small\">\n<div class=\"caas-img-container caas-img-loader caas-breakout-shift\">\n<div class=\"breakout-img-container caas-img-lightbox\" data-lightbox-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/aCMdzxWexL762Wcx8hl4EA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI0MDA7aD0xOTEy\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-03\/edbc1ac0-dc7b-11ee-922f-79d8aab9d8c7\"><span class=\"caas-img-wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-width\" alt=\"A collection of Buddhist temples in Chiang Mai, Thailand\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/.peUOxK4_yrRH2TY9_8Epw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTc2NQ--\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-03\/edbc1ac0-dc7b-11ee-922f-79d8aab9d8c7\" height=\"765\" width=\"960\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A collection of Buddhist temples in Chiang Mai, Thailand\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/.peUOxK4_yrRH2TY9_8Epw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTc2NQ--\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-03\/edbc1ac0-dc7b-11ee-922f-79d8aab9d8c7\" height=\"765\" width=\"960\" class=\"caas-img has-width\"\/><button class=\"link caas-lightbox\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;elm:expand;itc:1\"><span class=\"openArrows icon\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\"><path d=\"M12.372 0.92C12.372 0.414 12.782 0.004 13.287 0.004L21 0L20.996 7.712C20.996 8.217 20.586 8.628 20.08 8.628C19.574 8.628 19.164 8.217 19.164 7.712V3.183L12.337 10.011L10.988 8.663L17.816 1.835H13.287C12.782 1.835 12.372 1.425 12.372 0.92ZM1.835 17.816L8.663 10.988L10.012 12.337L3.183 19.164H7.712C8.218 19.164 8.627 19.574 8.627 20.08C8.627 20.586 8.218 20.995 7.712 20.995L0 21L0.004 13.287C0.004 12.782 0.414 12.372 0.92 12.372C1.425 12.372 1.835 12.782 1.835 13.287V17.816Z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-collapse\">There are\u2026some temples in Thailand.<span class=\"caption-credit\"> (Michael Jensen)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For Westerners like Michael and me, this area of the world is also shockingly affordable. Last week, I said that to my brother, and he said, \u201cWhat does \u2018affordable\u2019 mean exactly? A hundred dollars a night (USD) for a decent hotel?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>I said, \u201cUh, you could get a fairly decent hotel here for a hundred dollars a <em>week<\/em>.\u201d It\u2019s the low season, but we\u2019re paying $230 a week for a very nice hotel that includes a fitness room, a lovely pool area, and a wonderful breakfast buffet.<\/p>\n<p>For longer stays, it\u2019s easy to get an apartment for well under a thousand dollars a month \u2014 less than five hundred dollars a month for a yearly lease. One wealthy friend claims he has \u201cthe most expensive apartment in Chiang Mai\u201d \u2014 a penthouse with several floors, multiple balconies and bedrooms, and two different hot tubs. It\u2019s $2800 a month.<\/p>\n<p>For meals, you can easily eat out for a couple of bucks, but ten to fifteen dollars per person will get you a lavish, multi-course feast.<\/p>\n<p>In short, for most nomads, including Michael and me, life is <em>extremely<\/em> easy here.<\/p>\n<p>Tell me again why I thought coming here would be such a bad thing? Something about not wanting to spend time around other nomads?<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s true, Michael and I have<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><a data-i13n=\"cpos:2;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brentandmichaelaregoingplaces.com\/p\/the-shocking-thing-i-found-inside\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:absolutely loved;cpos:2;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><strong>absolutely loved<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>exploring <a data-i13n=\"cpos:3;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brentandmichaelaregoingplaces.com\/p\/the-guest-house\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:foreign cultures;cpos:3;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><strong>foreign cultures<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 and Chiang Mai is definitely a place that caters to <em>our<\/em> culture both as nomads and as Westerners. Back in Bangkok, a Thai friend of ours referred to this city as \u201cthe expat town.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There <em>is<\/em> more to Chiang Mai than just tourism. There are plenty of Thai people living here too, including many families with children.<\/p>\n<p>But the fact is, much of the city <em>does<\/em> cater to tourists and nomads.<\/p>\n<p>Then again, why is that so terrible?<\/p>\n<p>Being here, I\u2019m reminded of all the times Michael and I have already spent in other nomad hotspots: Bansko, Bulgaria; Mexico City; Koh Lanta, Thailand; and Tbilisi, Georgia. We lived in all four of these places for three months each, and while we made friends with locals, we also made incredible nomad friends.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, in Mexico City, Koh Lanta, and Tbilisi, we had specifically made a point to rendezvous with friends we had first made in Bansko.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"caas-figure prestige-figure small\">\n<div class=\"caas-img-container caas-img-loader caas-breakout-shift\">\n<div class=\"breakout-img-container caas-img-lightbox\" data-lightbox-src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/.AVqxkMTuJXYI163mRtAJA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI0MDA7aD0xNjQy\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-03\/5f0b3710-dc7c-11ee-beff-b90bccf12fd5\"><span class=\"caas-img-wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"caas-img caas-lazy has-width\" alt=\"With nomad friends in Bansko (2018), Tbilisi (2019), Mexico City (2020), and Koh Lanta (2019).\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/.GpDYyJiDxLw.DvwFkQINA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY1Nw--\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-03\/5f0b3710-dc7c-11ee-beff-b90bccf12fd5\" height=\"657\" width=\"960\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"With nomad friends in Bansko (2018), Tbilisi (2019), Mexico City (2020), and Koh Lanta (2019).\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/.GpDYyJiDxLw.DvwFkQINA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY1Nw--\/https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/os\/creatr-uploaded-images\/2024-03\/5f0b3710-dc7c-11ee-beff-b90bccf12fd5\" height=\"657\" width=\"960\" class=\"caas-img has-width\"\/><button class=\"link caas-lightbox\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;elm:expand;itc:1\"><span class=\"openArrows icon\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\"><path d=\"M12.372 0.92C12.372 0.414 12.782 0.004 13.287 0.004L21 0L20.996 7.712C20.996 8.217 20.586 8.628 20.08 8.628C19.574 8.628 19.164 8.217 19.164 7.712V3.183L12.337 10.011L10.988 8.663L17.816 1.835H13.287C12.782 1.835 12.372 1.425 12.372 0.92ZM1.835 17.816L8.663 10.988L10.012 12.337L3.183 19.164H7.712C8.218 19.164 8.627 19.574 8.627 20.08C8.627 20.586 8.218 20.995 7.712 20.995L0 21L0.004 13.287C0.004 12.782 0.414 12.372 0.92 12.372C1.425 12.372 1.835 12.782 1.835 13.287V17.816Z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-collapse\">With nomad friends in Bansko (2018), Tbilisi (2019), Mexico City (2020), and Koh Lanta (2019).<span class=\"caption-credit\"> (Michael Jensen)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It\u2019s hard to explain life in one of these nomad hubs. Michael and I call it \u201cthe Nomad Bubble,\u201d and it feels a lot like my first few months when I went off to college. Life has an \u201cout of place and time\u201d feel \u2014 like you\u2019re disconnected from the outside world. Meanwhile, everyone around you has been uprooted from their previous social circles, so they\u2019re incredibly open to new relationships.<\/p>\n<p>It helps that in all of these nomad hotspots, the cost of living is low, so even a \u201cpoor\u201d Westerner can afford to eat out almost every night, and regularly go to the latest club or wine bar, and stop by the local hot spring at least once a week.<\/p>\n<p>Recently, I wrote about how, as a nomad, I\u2019ve loved so many different cities and countries, and an online friend commented, \u201cThat\u2019s because you never get beyond the honeymoon stage. You never learn what those place are really like.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>On one hand, I took minor offense. I think people would be surprised by how often Michael and I mix with and befriend locals, and how we sometimes do go fairly deep into the local culture.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, she has a point. In three months, you can\u2019t ever go <em>that<\/em> deep.<\/p>\n<p>Then again, what\u2019s wrong with a bunch of different honeymoons \u2014 at least if no one is being hurt? The whole point of the \u201choneymoon period\u201d is that it\u2019s <em>awesome,<\/em> right?<\/p>\n<p>I also think it\u2019s okay that nomads, like all people, sometimes enjoy ourselves \u2014 assuming, of course, that we stay mindful of our privilege and our impact, and <a data-i13n=\"cpos:4;pos:1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brentandmichaelaregoingplaces.com\/p\/turkey-you-broke-my-heart\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:do our part;cpos:4;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><strong>do our part<\/strong><\/a> to try to make the world a more equitable place.<\/p>\n<p>But it\u2019s also ironic for me to say all this, because for a long time, I was really judgmental about Chiang Mai and the nomads who come here. I see now it was pure prejudice on my part.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes you really need to get over yourself.<\/p>\n<p>Anyway, this place is awesome. I wish Michael and I had come earlier, and one day, we\u2019ll almost certainly be back.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/lifestyle\/story\/we-didnt-want-to-come-to-chiang-mai-because-of-all-of-the-digital-nomads-we-were-idiots-100805394.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Anyone who follows the phenomenon of nomading knows that there are certain &ldquo;hotspots&rdquo; around the world that are incredibly popular with nomads<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/we-didnt-want-to-come-to-chiang-mai-because-of-all-of-the-digital-nomads-we-were-idiots\/21\/03\/2024\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24709,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24707"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24707"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24707\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24709"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}