A mere hour and a half by plane transports you to an entirely new and exciting world: Bangkok. It is Thailand, the most visited country in the world.

I lived in Bangkok for a year during my fifties, and I have visited a few times since. Every memory of that city remains distinctly unique and entertaining. Simply observing all the various ways the city survives is a true delight for my eyes.

And the food is, simply put, fantastic. The very first time a vegetable truly captured my heart was when I tried morning glory in Bangkok. Fried garlic pairs beautifully with absolutely anything. Then there is Kor Moo Yang, grilled pork neck, which offers a chewy texture completely different from regular pork. One cannot leave out my wife’s favorite: Poo Pad Pong Karee, a crab dish in a yellow curry sauce. This is a dish that must be savored at a proper, high-quality restaurant, not a cheap ten-dollar eatery. I am not particularly fond of crab because peeling the shells is a hassle, but that yellow curry sauce is truly out of this world. The rest of the street food, particularly the noodle dishes, delivers a surprising explosion of flavors I had never known before.

Upon returning from my last trip about a month ago, I was so exhilarated that I actually contemplated relocating there permanently.

So, early one morning, sitting in my usual chair, I carefully pondered the process of moving. Good heavens, I have so much stuff! I have accumulated an incredible amount of belongings over the years! Just thinking about the effort it would take to dispose of all these things felt as if it were shattering my brain cells. The sheer cost of moving suddenly loomed overwhelmingly large! Going through the ordeal of migrating to another country and settling down all over again has become too heavy a burden at my current age. Besides, life in Laos has been so peaceful, and the past eleven years were far too precious to just up and leave. I had truly put down roots in Laos.

I calmed myself down from the excitement that Bangkok had given me.

Moving there made no sense at all. This is especially true now, with the entire world in such a state of turmoil.

Therefore, I decided to make a change in my life here in Laos. Let's do something meaningful! I got rid of the 40-year-old menu I had and replaced it with a new one I had just conceptualized. It will take time, but all things require time. What is important is patience.

I concluded that I should keep Bangkok as a vacation destination. As a place where I can experience thrilling excitement amidst my tranquility. Sometimes, you just need a good time. Like a dash of spice added to a perfect everyday routine.