Operation Thailand!

Thanks for checking out my page! I’m not a person in desperate need of assistance due to medical issues or other life crises, rather, just a girl who has had a bucket list dream of backpacking Thailand for the past 8 years and that dream is now in motion! Why am I backpacking Thailand for 2 months solo? I am an independent person, but kind of get ‘stuck’ in the familiar when it comes to travel. Years ago, after a difficult time in life, on a whim, I booked a bus ticket to Chicago for a long weekend, solo. I just needed to literally get away. This was my very first trip on my own and I was on a mission to prove to myself I could do it. I booked a ticket one day and the next day I boarded the MegaBus in Minneapolis, destination Chicago, with no place to sleep. Along the bus ride, I found a hostel in a unique part of Chicago and booked it – sight unseen. I got off the bus at Union Station, found a train to Lincoln Park, and walked to my hostel. The moment I opened the red door I was in love. The place was chill and that is just what I needed. I checked into the hostel, found my way to my dorm room & after introducing myself, the 3 girls in my dorm room invited me out with them that evening – I said yes (secretly nervous) and off we went. They were all from Brazil with Portuguese being their native language. I felt brave for going on this trip solo and now I was headed out on the town being the only girl in the group who didn’t speak another language. Nerves quickly subsided and I had a great time with these gals, who I am still in contact with to this day. I did other things I had never done before – ate at a bar solo, watched the Vikings Bears game amongst all Bears fans, I did a sightseeing tour solo, and walked the entire city – taking in the sights, the sounds, and the freedom of just going with the flow. To this day, I still think of the things learned from that experience. I booked the bus ticket to escape reality of the moment – I didn’t think, I just went and hoped for the best. And it was one of the best trips I have taken because it reminds me that it is important to set foot outside of my general comfort zone, go with the flow, and learn from the experience.


What am I going to do in Thailand for 2 months? I want to explore national parks, ancient ruins, pristine islands, and modern cities. I want to experience the Thai culture, outside of the typical tourist places. I want to trek through hill tribes, do a homestay with a Thai family where I sleep in their home, eat meals with them, and learn about the culture first hand while helping them with various needs (home improvement projects, farming, learning English – its totally up to the family).What about my job? Well, that part is TBD. I requested an unpaid leave of absence, but because of red tape, it has to be approved by several people on all levels, which takes ‘up to 30 days’. I am currently at day 13. I am hopeful that I will have a job to return to, but, if that opportunity is not given to me, I will come home and begin searching for a new job.

Places I want to go/things I want to see/experience: I want to learn history of the country, such as Ayutthaya – an ancient city that was burned to the ground, with any remaining structures buried for hundreds of years until archaeologists unearthed then ruins which is now part of the archaeological park. I want to learn about Buddhist culture and see Buddhist Temples. I want to go to a floating market. I want to go to Chang Mai where they have a more laid-back culture, several beautiful Buddhist Temples, and the host of a nightly bazaar/market where locals craft goods to sell to others. I want to go to Elephant Nature Park which is a rescue and rehabilitation center for abused, elderly, and injured Asian Elephants. I want to go to Bo Sang, a tiny village that specializes in making handmade bamboo parasols (umbrellas) where you can watch the entire process from piecing them together to painting them. I want to go to Chang Rai to see the Wat Rong Khun ‘White Temple” – a non-traditional architectural temple that is all white- to represent Buddha’s ‘pure nature’. I want to visit the hill tribe villages and learn about the ‘long neck’ people –women in specific hill tribes wear brass coils around their necks, some weighing up to 30#. I want to hike in Khao Yai National Park to see the waterfalls within the untouched landscape. I want to explore the temples of Lopburi – ancient ruins that have not been restored and have resident monkeys. I want to go to Doi Inthanon National Park – the highest point in Thailand overlooking the ocean. I want to explore Khao Sok NP to see jungle covered cliffs and natures beauty. I want to see the numerous pristine beaches that Thailand has to offer and partake in canoeing, snorkeling, and other water adventures. I’d like to learn how to dive – Thailand has a ton of excellent diving centers to learn at. I want to take local transportation – trains, busses, tuk tuk’s, and such. I want to explore local cuisine – which should be interesting as I am 100% Norwegian – land of meat, potatoes, and vegetables that offer salt and pepper as the spices. I plan to stay in hostels and ‘live like the locals’ as much as possible – to get the full cultural experience and come back to the States with a new awareness of both myself and my surroundings.


Summary: I am so excited to go on this trip of a lifetime! I have saved money and prepared to have no paychecks or income for a couple of months, but I am coming face to face with reality and there are many things that I didn’t know about or think about of ahead of time and are costly. Things like major dental work due to root canal infection (sans dental insurance). And then travel related things like needing several vaccinations which health insurance most likely won’t cover. Getting travelers insurance in case I need medical attention or to get medi-vac’d out of the country. Paying my employer the premium for me to maintain my health insurance while I am gone. Getting the right ‘equipment’ to backpack an entire country – the backpack alone is far more than imagined. Getting gear that is as light as possible, learning how to pack for 2 months in ONE pack, and getting things like first aid supplies, water filtration devices, mosquito everything (nets, spray, clothing wash, lotion..), GPS tracker so my family and friends can know I am alive if I don’t have WiFi.I am fortunate in getting the opportunity to take this trip – I am not asking for money out of pity or desperation, rather, just throwing it out there if you would like to pitch in to fund any portion of my adventure.

You can follow me on my adventure by going to my website/blog: www.gypsybikerchick.com Thanks for looking and have a great day!