The moment my passport received its Thai stamp at Suvarnabhumi Airport, I felt the journey finally begin. I couldn’t resist taking a photo! It was more than just ink on paper, it was proof that my first backpacking adventure was real.

Bangkok can be overwhelming, but small choices shape the experience. Instead of changing money at the airport, I withdrew cash from an ATM at the BTS interchange. From the airport train to the BTS metro, I learned to navigate with tokens and signs I didn’t yet understand. It was scary but freeing. By the time I reached Sukhumvit and dropped my backpack at the hostel, I already felt like I’d passed my first test.

Hunger pulled me out into the streets. My first Thai meal was fried chicken with basil rice, topped with fresh cucumber slices, served with two types of sauces, green curry and sweet chili. And beside it, a bottle of bright orange Fanta. It reminded me of karendirya meals back in the Philippines: humble, affordable, filling. That plate was more than food, it was a small welcome into Thailand.

That night carried a different kind of journey. I met my ex for closure after a year apart. Meeting the replacement person was hard, but necessary. We lifted glasses of wine in a quiet toast, to endings, to beginnings, to the strange way life keeps moving. Travel isn’t only about places; sometimes it gives you the courage to face unfinished chapters.

By the end of the day, I understood: arrival isn’t just about crossing borders. It’s about learning the trains, eating your first street meal, and saying goodbye to what you’ve outgrown. Thailand didn’t just welcome me as a traveler, it reminded me that every step forward is also a step inward.