Meeting My Virtual Friend IRL and Building a Lifelong Bond
Sahil and I had been friends for years, but only online. We bonded over our love for coding, blockchain, and building cool stuff. One day, while chatting about Alchemy’s new UI docs, Sahil casually mentioned, “You should apply for this hacker house.”
I did. And the next thing I knew, I was on my way to Thailand—my first international trip, and all solo.
Before this, I had this idea that Bangkok would be just like India. But the moment I landed, I realized how wrong I was. The city was beautiful, clean as hell, and the people? Even better.
The Magic of Bangkok
Bangkok was everything I didn’t expect and more. The city was alive, vibrant, and full of energy. But what made it truly special were the people I met and the experiences I had.
One moment, in particular, stands out.
I was returning from the EthGlobal hackathon when suddenly, it started raining. Heavy rain. Out of nowhere. Bangkok’s weather had a mind of its own, and I was caught right in the middle of it.
I was on a motorbike taxi, and the rain made it impossible to ride. I had already paid the driver, and I told him he could leave—there was no way we could ride in that weather. But he didn’t.
Instead, he stood with me, helped me find a car taxi, and made sure I was safe before leaving. In a strange country, in the middle of a downpour, this stranger’s kindness was a reminder of how incredible people can be.
Meeting Sahil: From Friends to Brothers
But the real highlight of the trip was meeting Sahil.
We’d been virtual friends for so long, but meeting him in person was something else. We had great chats, shared lots of fun moments, and even had some brutally honest conversations about life.
That’s the thing about true friends—they can talk about anything, no filters, no pretenses. And that’s exactly what Sahil and I did.
At one point, Sahil said to me, “Bro, you’re a really good developer. I respect that.”
That meant a lot coming from him. Sahil is one of the smartest people I know, and his journey—from rage to riches—is nothing short of inspiring. I told him, “Your story deserves a book someday. What you’ve done for your family is incredible.”
By the end of the trip, Sahil wasn’t just a friend anymore. He was my brother.
Lessons from the Trip
- Kindness Is Universal: Whether it’s a motorbike taxi driver in Bangkok or a friend you’ve known for years, kindness transcends borders.
- True Friends Are Rare: Friends who can be brutally honest with you, who respect you, and who inspire you are hard to find. When you find them, hold onto them.
- Travel Changes You: My first international trip taught me to embrace the unknown, to step out of my comfort zone, and to appreciate the beauty of different cultures.
Final Thoughts
Bangkok was beautiful. The experiences were fun, incredible, and life-changing. But what made it truly special were the people—the kind stranger who helped me in the rain, and Sahil, who went from being a virtual friend to a brother.
This trip wasn’t just about exploring a new city or attending a hackathon. It was about human connections, personal growth, and lifelong memories.
If there’s one thing I’ll take away from this experience, it’s this: Life is about the people you meet and the bonds you build. Everything else is just a bonus.