I arrived to Chiang Mai, Thailand still sick from what I came to find out was dengue fever. I'm pretty sure I caught it in Phuket because I was covered in mosquito bites from there and I came to find out that there is a huge outbreak in Phuket. Also it incubates in your system from 5-14 days and I got sick in Bangkok. The first 3 days in Bangkok were a lot of fun because I spent it with a friend I met in Bali who happened to be in Bangkok at the same time I was. We spent 3 days together and it was pretty damn awesome. Had amazing conversations about life and he showed me the ways around Bangkok too. Bangkok is like LA on crack; way more people and way more traffic. I couldn't vibe with the city as much as I would have liked to. I can't really explain why except that it was just a bit too much for me. Too intense, I guess. I saw way too many young prostitutes with older white men and a whole lot of lady boys. And way too many "Thai massage" places. The air is quite polluted as well. There are some very beautiful aspects of Bangkok like anything else with their temples and cool buildings. But I was ready to leave and head north to Chiang Mai where I hear only beautiful things about. Unfortunately on my 5th day being in Bangkok, I got really sick. After my friend left, I was able to spend a day and a half with myself sightseeing and continue eating the amazing street food. But then the fever came along with the chills, the intense body aches, and the not being able to hold anything down, not even water and just throwing up. On my third day of sickness I had an overnight train ticket already bought to head to Chiang Mai. A 15 hour train ride. I went anyway because I was dying to get out of Bangkok. I'm so glad I did because although I wasn't able to do all the things I wanted to do in Chiang Mai, such as, elephant riding, hiking, Thai massage classes or visit a monastery, I was staying at an amazing guesthouse with amazing owners who looked after me. On my first night I was in a mixed dorm and I striked up a conversation with 2 young boys from New York. I had mentioned I was sick with dengue fever as most people have as well. It's very common, unfortunately. They never even heard of it. The only way one could have gotten the virus from me was from a mosquito that bites me then it has to bite you. Apparently they were freaked out about this because at 2 am I was woken up by one of the owners letting me know that the two boys wanted to change rooms because they didn't want to share a room with me. She said that she can't give them another room but that she will put me in my own room. Now at that moment I felt so vulnerable and embarrassed to be woken up at 2 am and while waking up others as well. I was so mad at these boys because I had told them probably around 9 pm about my sickness. Couldn't they have figured that they didn't want to share a room with me earlier? Anyway the blessing in disguise with all of this was that I got my own room for the next 2 days in a very comfortable bed for the same price I paid for a dorm. And I also met some interesting people who have inspired me at this guesthouse since I couldn't leave it. They had a lovely pool as well so I was able to enjoy that. It's a vegetarian house and on my last day when I finally felt better, I was able to enjoy their food and the neighborhood around. I stumbled across a lovely temple which are the photos I posted for Chiang Mai. So here are my final thoughts on my whole experience: I am ever so grateful for my health. I've never been so sick like that in my life. I appreciate my vitality and my strength more than ever. I am humbled by other peoples actions. The way the girl I met on the train took care of me. The amazing conversation I had with an older gentleman at the guesthouse about life. The two boys who didn't want to be near me but in return blessed me with my own room. For the owners at the guesthouse who looked after me and made sure my stay was comfortable. For the lovely German girl I met on the way back to Bangkok and spent a whole day with just shooting the s*** and shopping. It was all an experience and all of it was life changing. I am grateful for the time I spent alone to reflect and write more than I ever have. I don't believe in coincidences anymore. Everything happens for a reason. Everything. And I'm more humbled to life than ever before. So I thank you Thailand for kicking my butt and for showing me your beauties.