I travelled to a few places this year and the contrast I experienced really showed how the country concept is breaking down.

I went to Thailand for the first time, after waiting in different cues and paying a visa charge, I get in a taxi. Between my hotel and the airport, the taxi is stopped at a military checkpoint, and some guys with guns point their flashlights inside the car, blinding me for a second. We are waved on. I get to the hostel, and take a walk around the block. Two policemen see me and stop me on the street, and pat me down for 'weapons', ask me a bunch of questions, where was I staying, where is my passport. Not long after I left Bangkok, a bomb went off at a MRT station I passed by. It is difficult to keep track of the number of factions that are vying to run the country.

A week before, I arrived in Hong Kong. No charge to enter, no questions asked. I collect a stamp and I've grabbed my bags within minutes, buy a ticket for a train, and I'm in Kowloon. A few hawkers on the street trying to sell you a Rolex, but that's it. You're in a sprawling city, and it has it's own identity. No 'Government' is in your face. Take the train to nearby Shenzen though, and you're in different world. For a Chinese Visa, you need to submit your itinerary in advance to travel there.

Anyway, all we need is more places like Hong Kong, that accept Bitcoin. That would be nice