Zainab loves to travel, and for as long as I can remember, she’s moved around the globe; living in London, the U.S, Nigeria, and most recently – Thailand. Today on Friendly Footprints, Zainab talks to me about a “magical” trip to Tokyo, Japan.
Category Archives: Asia
Friendly Footprints in Bali with Dera
For the penultimate ‘Friendly Footprints’ interview of 2020, Dera talks to me about her “fantastic” trip to Bali.
Seoul, Again.
It’s cold in Seoul in January but that does little to stop me from seeing the city.
Between Sand and Sea: Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
Out on the open deck, I watch gleaming shorelines and isolated rock formations come into view in contrast with a striking blue seascape. Time, unhurried, seems to match the ferry’s speed as we make a slow, deliberate approach to Koh Phi Phi island. Slipping off the ferry, I walk along the shoreline and towards aContinue reading “Between Sand and Sea: Phi Phi Islands, Thailand”
The One with a Thai Chef in Bangkok
As the cab pulls up to Siamese Cookery House, the noise of Bangkok’s bustling streets fizzles into silence. Tucked into a side street, the building is nearly obscured by green majesty palm trees. A sweet scent of lemongrass fills the air. I inhale slowly, relaxing for the first time that day. Inside, I take off myContinue reading “The One with a Thai Chef in Bangkok”
Good Morning, From Bangkok
I watch morning arrive from the balcony of our rented apartment; soft yellow sunlight that filters through Bangkok’s persistent fog, illuminating her skyline. I’m dressed in a satin kimono that once belonged to my mom, a black dress whose hem stops just below my knees, and a pair of weathered white Converse sneakers. I’ve pickedContinue reading “Good Morning, From Bangkok”
A Bridge over Still Water: Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang’s cool mountain air is a welcome change from Vientiane’s heavy heat, but the things that make this city quintessentially Lao are unchanged – tuk-tuks and motorcycles weave around cars on narrow roads, coffee shops are ubiquitous, as are street-side food carts selling staples like Lao sausage and spicy papaya salad. Every day beforeContinue reading “A Bridge over Still Water: Luang Prabang, Laos”
An Afternoon at Kuang Si Falls, Luang Prabang
“Would you like one”? AD asks holding out an open tin of white mints towards me. “No, thank you”, I decline politely if a bit prematurely -I do want one. But it’s too late. I’m not retracting my response. He turns to the driver and repeats the question. When the driver picks out three mints, ADContinue reading “An Afternoon at Kuang Si Falls, Luang Prabang”
My Weekend in Vientiane, Laos: Part 2
At the altar, incense sticks burn a familiar scent into the air. I recognize it as one that my dad has burned several times in our living room- a scent I often found overwhelming. In this temple, thousands of miles away from our living room, I still feel overwhelmed; though not by the scent itself, onlyContinue reading “My Weekend in Vientiane, Laos: Part 2”
My Weekend in Vientiane, Laos: Part 1
From the moment I was asked if I would be available and willing to travel to Laos to when I touched down in Vientiane, I was both stressed and enthusiastic. In one breath I was participating on a team call and in the next, I was planning to go on an assignment for said team.Continue reading “My Weekend in Vientiane, Laos: Part 1”