Comments on: Forcing Yourself to Feel Lost Again is a Good Thing https://www.gregtodiffer.com/forcing-yourself-to-feel-lost-again-is-a-good-thing/ Stories, rants & observations about expat life in Asia's craziest city Thu, 17 Nov 2016 15:48:34 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 By: Tony https://www.gregtodiffer.com/forcing-yourself-to-feel-lost-again-is-a-good-thing/#comment-303 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:47:06 +0000 http://gregtodiffer.dreamhosters.com/?p=123#comment-303 A visit to Japan is a must for any long term Bangkok expat and vice versa. While many SE Asian cities have their own unique charm and differ slightly from Bangkok, what I love about Tokyo is that it is the complete opposite of Bangkok!

When the craziness and chaos of Bangkok get too much a visit to the orderly calm city of Tokyo is the perfect remedy. In Bangkok we enjoy a tremendous amount of social freedom but in Tokyo I find it a fun challenge to figure out what is the correct procedure for any given situation.

Trying to figure out the crazy busy Tokyo rail system will have you appreciating the simple 2-line system we have in Bangkok.

]]> By: Greg https://www.gregtodiffer.com/forcing-yourself-to-feel-lost-again-is-a-good-thing/#comment-305 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 05:17:47 +0000 http://gregtodiffer.dreamhosters.com/?p=123#comment-305 cutenekko, Japan is a place I’ve always wanted to live in but have just never made it that far (yet?). Bangkok is more chaotic, but in a good way. India was beautiful indeed, but I’ve never been anywhere that matched its crazy pace, its filth, its beauty, history or FOOD!

kat – interesting, I used to try and describe to my students the difference between ‘street smart’ and ‘book smart’ and used to say a street smart person could find their way across a strange city, whereas a book smart person would be unable to. They seemed to get the basics after that. 🙂

]]> By: kat https://www.gregtodiffer.com/forcing-yourself-to-feel-lost-again-is-a-good-thing/#comment-304 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:16:17 +0000 http://gregtodiffer.dreamhosters.com/?p=123#comment-304 I saw your article on CNN about walking in Bangkok Chinatown, and your two-sentence bio at the bottom sent me into hysterics. So of course, I had to come over and see ya.

Regarding being lost, I think it’s one of the best ways to hone instinct and remember that feeling of curiosity and discovery even if you know a place well. After a tour of 20 countries, I had friends drop me off in an unfamiliar town to see if I could make it back on my own. They thought it was cruel and unusual; I thought it was just fine.

]]> By: cutenekko https://www.gregtodiffer.com/forcing-yourself-to-feel-lost-again-is-a-good-thing/#comment-306 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:07:23 +0000 http://gregtodiffer.dreamhosters.com/?p=123#comment-306 A lot of good points here. I am currently living in Japan and have been for the past 10 years. (another transplanted Canuck) I too, have found life here to become “routine”. I will soon be moving to BKK. I think I am craving a little more chaos, whereas my life here is predictable and secure.

I wonder why you feel India is “another world”? I went there for my honeymoon, and felt it was a beautiful country. It’s also a very extreme country–from extreme poverty to opulence. I recommend this book to give you a different perspective on India: “Bitten By The Bullet” by , Karen Goa & Steve Krzstyniak. A couple from NZ started up a travel-India-by-motorcycle company. It’s very Che-like, with a bit of Chai. ^_^

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