Thailand was a dream destination for me, until I seemingly stepped off the airplane with the wrong foot. For some reason, I was the unluckiest person in my travel group, and I already wanted to get out of there. It’s our first day. Our tour guide instructs us to leave our belongings at the hotel, and our initial exploration of Bangkok involves a boat tour. The capital boasts a river that cuts through the city from end to end, similar to many cities around the world. As I step

Trying new food, for me, is a personal game. I look for places with no tourists, only locals. Sometimes, the dirtier, the better. I used to say I wanted to eat where the “rats eat.” Writing this now, I realize how disgusting that sounds, but I promise it’s funny in Portuguese, especially when I say it to my parents. My mom completely freaks out every time, which honestly just makes it better. I could try to explain the phrase, but maybe it’s best not to. The point is simple: