The most successful digital nomads I know got there by being embarrassingly consistent at balancing remote work and relationships.
Shout out to Damian, a fellow Pole in Southeast Asia, who inspired me to record a video about my digital nomad workout routine. Thanks again for the kind words, and I'm glad my tips addressed your concerns.
I don't know the lyrics and rhythms of local bangers, yet I loved the energizing dancing we had during a traditional Indian wedding in Kolkata.
I attended a 3-day Hindu wedding in Kolkata. Bollywood shaped my imagination 25 years ago, but nothing could have prepared me for the real thing.
Henna tattoos on my hands. Turmeric smeared on the couple. Flower petals raining. A pandit chanting Sanskrit next to a bonfire. Drummers appearing out of nowhere. Uncles dancing like nobody was watching.
Raw beautiful tradition.
You cannot buy your way into an experience like this. Therefore, I'm grateful I got invited.
https://nerdontour.net/traditional-indian-wedding-in-kolkata-2026/
Traditional Indian Wedding in Kolkata 2026
Kolkata's three-day Hindu celebration — henna tattoos, Haldi rituals, bonfires, and flower petals raining. No Bollywood film could have prepared me for the real thing.
2024 Chinese wedding in Malaysia
2025 Buddhist wedding in Cambodia
2026 Hindu wedding in India
Feeling blessed by participating in these unique cultural experiences.
Eager to be back in Kuala Lumpur! Missed curry laksa, MRT, and reliable Internet.
During my 2024 trip to China, I noticed that all apps restricted access unless I used a Chinese mobile number. Now, on my trip to India, I see the same pattern. My bet is that China's protectionist policy won't internationalize apps. Yet in India, is just a matter of time.
I can download and browse excellent Indian apps like Blinkit (for necessities), Zomato (for food), or Urban Company (for massages). But it's silly that I can't complete the order without an Indian mobile number. Why aren't these apps more internationalized?
You need to complete the KYC process to use UPI in India as a tourist. Luckily, I didn't need to do it in-person. The Cheq app allows for digital KYC since February, which helped a lot during my first trip to Bengaluru.
Only airports or big retail in India accept Apple Pay. But all shops accept local QR payments via UPI. With Cheq, I top-up via Apple Pay and then pay at local vendors.
