We Didn't Want to Come to Chiang Mai Because of All the Digital Nomads. We Were Idiots.

This place is AWESOME.

For the audio version of this article, read by the author, go here.

Anyone who follows the phenomenon of nomading knows that there are certain “hotspots” around the world that are incredibly popular with nomads and long-term travelers: Mexico City, Mexico; Lisbon, Portugal; Medellín, Colombia; Bali, Indonesia; Bansko, Bulgaria; and Tbilisi, Georgia.

But the One Ring to Rule Them All? Chiang Mai, Thailand, which is probably the world’s most well-known nomad destination.

Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Which is exactly why Michael and I never wanted to come here. All those nomads? We didn’t leave America to travel the world just to hang out with people exactly like ourselves. And didn’t the whole city exist just to cater to these people? That didn’t seem like a very authentic “Thai” experience.

At Chiang Mai’s Silver Temple, which is — you guessed it! — made of silver.

The thing is, we finally came to Chiang Mai, and we absolutely love it.