Gail D. Hughes
The magic is in wandering, not knowing where the road leads. Each turn is a question, each detour an invitation.
I love the unplanned: a hidden café, a stranger’s story, a wrong turn revealing a stunning view. The journey itself is the reward, teaching patience and wonder. Destinations fade, but the journey stays. Sometimes losing the map is how you find yourself.
A Taste of Thailand: Cooking at Asian Scenic Thai School
One of the highlights of my Chiang Mai trip was a full-day cooking adventure with Asian Scenic Thai School. I’d been thinking about taking a Thai cooking class for a while, and this experience completely exceeded my expectations.
The day began with a visit to a bustling local market to pick out fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs. From there, we headed to a serene farm where we explored the ingredients in their natural setting. We saw papayas, different varieties of chili, fragrant basil, cilantro, and more. We even collected our own eggs from the chicken coop for some of our dishes.
Aprons on, hats shading us from the sun, and cookbooks in hand, we each had our own station and wok, ready to create six incredible Thai dishes. From spring rolls and soups to pad Thai and my all-time favourite, mango sticky rice. What made it extra special was the flexibility to cook what you were most interested in.
This wasn’t just a cooking class. It was an immersive, hands-on journey through Thai cuisine and culture. From making our own curry paste to cooking surrounded by nature, it was authentic, educational, and unforgettable.
One of my favourite songs is "Ânima" by Milton Nascimento, released in 1982. This song is a profound exploration of self-discovery and spiritual transformation, and it continues to inspire me deeply, especially when I’m travelling.
The poetic lyrics speak to a journey of inner refinement and awakening, capturing the feeling of seeking peace, clarity, and a deeper connection with the soul. There’s something about the way Milton blends emotion, melody, and meaning that resonates with me every time I’m on the road. It reminds me that travel is just as much about what’s happening within as it is about the places we go.
Lyrics
Viajar nessa procura toda
De me lapidar nesse momento agora
De me recriar de me gratificar
De custo alma, eu sei
Casa aberta onde mora o mestre
O mago da luz onde se encontra o templo
Que inventa a cor animará o amor
Onde se esquece a paz
Alma vai além de tudo
Que o nosso mundo ousa perceber
Casa cheia de coragem vida
Todo afeto que há no meu ser
Te quero ver, te quero ser alma
Translation
Traveling in this whole search To polish myself in this moment now To recreate myself, to gratify myself At the cost of my soul, I know
Open house where the master lives The wizard of light where the temple is located Who invents color will animate love Where peace is forgotten
Soul goes beyond everything That our world dares to perceive House full of courage life All the affection that is in my being I want to see you, I want to be your soul