Yiwu.
This one?
This one had everything.
I got sick. Proper sick. The kind where you start questioning your life choices and your immune system at the same time.
For a full week I committed to Traditional Chinese Medicine like my life depended on it. Because honestly… it felt like it did.
We’re talking:
- Acupuncture (yes, needles everywhere. I have video, you will see it)
- some kind of heat tunnel that felt like I was being seasoned and slow roasted for dinner
- steam treatments
- herbal everything
And then… the pharmacy.
Not a normal pharmacy.
This was a back alley situation.
You leave the hotel, turn into this quiet alley, go through a back door… and suddenly you’re inside a full setup. Reclining chairs, blankets, calm lighting, people casually getting IV drips like it’s a wellness lounge.
And there I am… under a blanket, hooked up to an IV, just accepting whatever chapter of life this is.
Now… the propositioning
Because clearly the universe said let’s keep things interesting.
First one — hotel.
Arab man.
I was checking hallways like I was about to enter a secret operation. I said sir… I am tired, sick, and not the main character in whatever you’re planning.
Then again… in the street.
At that point I just accepted that I was giving off some kind of signal I did not authorize.
On a calmer note, I went to see how prescription lenses are made — and that part I actually loved.
There’s a whole process behind something we use every day and never question.
I bought:
- my new prescription
- smart glasses (because clearly rest is not part of my personality)
- and some branded sunglasses because balance
Made friends with the store owner too. Real conversation, not surface level. That grounded me.
Then Yiwu humbled me.
A beggar comes up with a sign… WITH A QR CODE.
I said wow. Innovation.
Gave him money.
Immediate regret.
The vendors around me started mocking me. Loudly.
Then they started begging too.
And listen — I don’t need subtitles to understand when I’ve done something foolish. That message is universal.
I just stood there like… okay. Lesson received.
Work-wise? Strong.
I hired two guides. Claire was one — she even did a video about me while I was there (you’ll see it below).
We moved through markets, factories… real exposure.
She also brought me into a business meeting with young Chinese women building through TikTok.
They are sharp.
Fast. Strategic. No hesitation.
Different level.
Then Guangzhou.
Last day.
I hired another guide from Fiverr and we worked from morning straight into night.
Suitcases went into her car and we just kept moving.
Factories. Stops. Locations.
No wasted time.
It was intense… but effective.
Airport.
The African guys?
That is a real service.
They saw me, overloaded, assessed everything instantly, and before I could even think, my luggage was open and being professionally repacked. The correct weight for flying.
Balanced. Organized. Efficient.
Swift.
I paid. Happily.
And then… the quiet.
Sitting in the airport, waiting, and feeling that weird in-between.
Not sad.
Just… empty in a way.
Like something ended.
And immediately my brain goes:
what next?
Why do I always need a next thing?
Why can’t something just be enough?
Why do I feel like if I’m not chasing something, I’m falling behind?
I leave… and land back in Bangkok.
And just like that — energy shift.
I went to a speed networking event… and listen… I expected awkward conversations and forced smiles.
Instead? It was actually good. People open, engaging, moving with intention. Not stiff.
Then I ended up at an art battle.
And this… this was something else.
Two artists. Timer on. Crowd watching.
And they just… created.
Fast. Confident. No hesitation.
Skill on display in real time.
No edits. No filters. No second takes.
Just raw ability.
I stood there like… yeah. This is greatness.
I’ve never seen anything like that before.
And it made me think.
Maybe that’s the point.
Not always chasing the next dragon…
but recognizing when you’re already in the middle of something worth experiencing.
Overall?
The trip was a success.
Messy. Random. Unpredictable. Slightly unhinged.
But real.
And maybe now the real work is learning how to sit in moments like that…
without immediately asking what comes next.
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