Just go, C!
I'm Charity, a proud auntie, wine lover, semi-nerd, and dreamer who can't stay in one place for too long.
I've been in Thailand now for just over one month, and it already feels as though nothing will ever be the same for me. And I mean that in the best way possible.
I'm currently back in Bangkok for the next week to help out with an English camp (I am TESOL certified now, hooray!) and it's so interesting to me to compare how I feel now to when I first arrived a month ago. As you know, I was terrified when I first got into Bangkok. Now, I am enjoying myself so much more and feel a lot more confident about the rest of the year that I plan to spend in Thailand. For those of you who have never been to Thailand, but maybe want to visit someday, here is what I have learned so far about this country and some of the major differences between this culture and the one I come from: 1. Nothing EVER goes according to plan. In fact, you should just not make any plans and just go with the flow. Or make your plans very loosely, and allow for changes and other scenarios to occur, and be prepared for any of those scenarios to happen. (Because they will.) 2. Family comes first. This applies to careers, education, income, marriages, meals, and every single decision you make in life. 3. Traffic and road rules exist, but that's about as far as it goes. They exist. But if you want to ride a motorbike with no helmet and with four of your other family members (regardless of age) on board, and what the hell - throw the dog on there, too - no problem. 4. The best food comes from carts that Public Health and other boards of sanitation would have a field day with. The only "sanitation rule" you need to worry about is whether you see other Thais eating from that cart. If the answer is yes, you're golden! 5. Regarding the toilets and bathroom situations - and this one I'm definitely still adjusting to - have toilet paper with you at all times. But, don't flush it down the toilet - the septic systems (and I use that term very loosely) can't handle it. Throw it away. And, don't be surprised if you run into "squatty potties" that require you to use a small bucket with water. Not sure I'll ever get used to that. Also, don't be surprised if your hotel room or accommodation has an unenclosed shower right next to the toilet. Very convenient for those of us who enjoy washing our hair while on the toilet, however. And generally no hot water, though you don't miss it once you spend a day basking in the hot weather. 6. If someone makes a mistake, you won't get an apology. If something doesn't go according to plan, you won't get an explanation. You're not going to be "in the loop" or copied on emails or given a "heads up" or any of that Western "I need to know what's going on and I need to know NOW" shit. Because in Thailand, things just happen. Things don't happen TO YOU; things just happen. And oh well. There's a famous expression here in Thailand: "Mai pen rai," which literally means "no problem" or "no worries" - and that is the best description of the attitude that Thais have and that anyone who comes here needs to have in order to get through the culture shock. I still have much to learn about Thailand and the Thai people, and I'm certain that I will get a much more unique experience once I go to my school placement in Tak. Tak is a larger province (relatively speaking) in northern Thailand, which is on the border of Myanmar (formerly Burma). The city of Tak is the province's capital, which is where I'll be living and working. Tak has a rich history, particularly that of Taksin the Great, who was king of Thailand in the 18th century and responsible for helping to reunite Thailand (then Siam) after the Burmese wars. Even today, there is a heavy Burmese influence and many hill tribes that affect the language, dialect, and food. Perhaps the best part of Tak is that it's surrounded by mountains, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries. The city of Tak is nestled along the Ping River, which is the ideal setting for the Loi Krathong festival held in early November every year. This festival involves lighting fuel in coconut shells and sending them off in the river, as a symbolic gesture of releasing negativity and pain from your life - a rejuvenation of sorts. As far as the job itself, I'll be teaching students aged 12-17, which is high school-aged here, and will be teaching conversational English. I don't know yet what kind of proficiency the students have with English, but I'm looking forward to the opportunity to get to know them and to let myself be fulfilled in the process. I'm sure many of you will be eager to find out whether my curriculum will involve words from my personal vocabulary. This remains to be seen. School starts on May 1st, so I'll have a few weeks to wander around Thailand. My plan (again, loose plan) is to travel to the southern parts of the country and experience places like Krabi, Phuket, and a few of the islands like Koh Lanta. (PS if you have suggestions on where to go, places to stay, etc. I am all ears!) Every day, I can feel myself changing and evolving. I know that I am becoming a better person for being here in Thailand. It is growing on me, even though it is so completely different than what I am accustomed to. I can easily see myself getting to the point that when it's time to leave in another year's time, I'll be very sad to do so. And who knows, maybe "that time" will be further down the road than one year. But either way, I'm enjoying the ride and allowing myself to adopt and experience the "mai pen rai" lifestyle.
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AuthorHi! I'm Charity. I'm from Omaha, Nebraska, USA. I quit my job in October 2016 to travel the world. Archives
June 2022
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