writer. traveller. life unraveller.
I spotted this epigram of sorts, “Open to More”, printed on a shop sign when walking from the bus station upon arriving in Pokhara, Nepal back in March. I’d just finished a harrowing nine-hour bus journey from Kathmandu, and was making my way on foot to my guesthouse. Taxis were available, but my legs needed... Continue Reading →
The Chiang Mai flood of 2024. That’s how we’ll refer to it years from now. It’s making history. And it’s also presenting a bizarre juxtaposition to which I have a good view from where I live. The Ping River broke its banks not once but twice in the past 10 days, flooding streets, homes, markets,... Continue Reading →
Some say life's an uphill climb. Hell, I’m pretty sure I’ve said that, but with negative underpinnings. The thing is, I do see life as an uphill climb, but I actually like hills, whether I’m cycling, walking, or hiking. I like them for a few reasons. The first is that I enjoy the effort, hard... Continue Reading →
Listen here and please forgive my attempt at basic Thai!! There’s this lovely woman in Chiang Mai who reminds me of a tea cozy. She wears slacks like my grandma did and starched floral blouses, and she has baby-fine salt and pepper hair and friendly eyes looking out of a soft round face. She... Continue Reading →
When I was eight years old, I wanted a Cabbage Patch Kid. Remember those dolls from the 1980s? They had soft squishy bodies with protruding belly buttons, hard plastic heads sprouting hair, and if you turned an unclothed one over, a name scrawled on the little butt cheek. The Cabbage Patch Kid community represented a... Continue Reading →
How do you know you’re safe... In a time where there are no limits, no boundaries, no roadmaps? How do you know you’re safe... When the ground beneath you shakes at random and nations cry out for help? How do you know you’re safe... When economies are crumbling, people are raging, and our food is... Continue Reading →
Someone told me I should be writing stories about my travels. But the thing is, I'm not really travelling much these days. I spend most of the year between three places: Canada, my home, and Indonesia and Thailand. I've spent enough time in all three countries that my eyes have become a bit, well, immune... Continue Reading →
colleen thornton 