They say people come to Varanasi to die, but no one warns you that first, you must learn to breathe death. To tolerate it appearing in every corner of the city. To understand it, embrace it, honor it. This is not a city for tourists; it is for devotees, travelers,…
Solo travel in India: The permanent contradiction between blind faith and fear
Sometimes, the only way to move forward is to accept that you will tremble the entire way. A chaotic starting point; fear like an electric shock running down your spine. Crying in the shower before heading out, your stomach tightened into a knot that won’t let you breathe. That is…
The road of chaos: the Thailand to Cambodia border
Traveling through Southeast Asia can be as educational as it is chaotic—especially when you decide to let go of control and simply go with the flow. That’s how our journey from Bangkok to Siem Reap unfolded: no flights, no itinerary, just a backpack, a train, and a trust that perhaps…
Wat Mahathat: Nature, Buddhism in Ayutthaya, and Cyclical Time
My first days in Bangkok were loud and chaotic, but a sense of stillness found me after visiting the temples of Ayutthaya. It was the first time I stood before the remnants of an ancient Asian civilization. What I had read about Buddhism now appeared before me—silent, tangible, and alive.…
Covering Up at the Pink Mosque: Reflections on Respect, Culture, and the Female Body
Covering My Body at the Pink Mosque in Malaysia: Respect or Control? During my trip to Malaysia, I visited the famous Putra Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque, located near Kuala Lumpur. Its architecture is stunning: pink marble, majestic domes, and a serene lakeside setting in Putrajaya. But beyond…
Angkor Wat and the Lesson of the Forgotten Gods
Angkor Wat, a temple complex located in northwestern Cambodia, stands as a testament to the greatness of the Khmer civilization. Beyond its architectural grandeur, the spiritual meaning of Angkor Wat reveals profound insights into the religious beliefs and cultural transformations of its time. When I visited the complex in early…
Spirituality for Sale in Bali: How Tourism Transforms Sacred Practices into Consumable Products
When I arrived in Bali in January 2023, I couldn’t help but wonder if it would be as portrayed in Julia Roberts’ movie. Would it really be as spiritual as so many people of my generation imagine? Just like the movie Eat, Pray, Love suggests, Bali is a destination infused…
The Duality of the Traveler and the Fugitive
When I first started traveling the world and embraced the backpacking lifestyle, I believed every traveler was on a journey of self-discovery, just like me. But after years of hostel-hopping and deep conversations in tucked-away cafés, I came to understand that this isn’t always true. Some people cannot be called…
Bangkok: Between the Sacred and the Profane
Bangkok, the vibrant capital of Thailand, is a city of contrasts where the sacred and the profane coexist almost naturally. With its stunning Buddhist temples and streets packed with bars and nightclubs, the city reflects the cultural complexity of a country that has successfully balanced its religious traditions with a…
Buddhism in Thailand: Reflections from a Western Traveler
As a traveler from Latin America who was baptized and raised in Christianity, one of the aspects that intrigued me most about my journey through Asia was how Buddhism integrates into society. I was eager to see if there were any differences between the Buddhism described in books and how…