Culture and Nature

July 17th – July 27th

Having been in Thailand for 10 days without writing, I feel like I will be missing pretty much all the details. Before I begin let me explain this post won’t be about the things we did, perhaps in the next post but rather about nature, and culture, and the experience I am embarking on as a whole. Not just I but about 30 people are embarking on a hopefully life changing experience, yes that is extremely corny to say but it’s TRUE, living abroad and experiencing different cultures can be eye opening, and creates growth is so many easy through challenges that you can’t experience at home

Let me start by explaining something, today I began writing this at 11 A.M very distracted due to someone from our group who is still drinking from last night and hasn’t slept yet. Now that you have that in your head let me continue and this will convey more meaning. Thus far we have finished our first week of TESOL with a group of about 30 from all over the world. Each so far have lived up to a variety of stereotypes as well as broken countless pointed out to me by my friend Emma from Ireland. I have certainly found watching the people in my group to be fascinating, the differences amongst them, and their interactions with the Thai people has been sometimes shocking, sometimes baffling, and often rewarding.

Everyone is coming from a very different background, whether one of using this as an escape, using this to travel, or gain cultural experiences. I personally like to place myself into the latter, however I also don’t believe I am able to truly classify myself due to the concept of subconscious actions I don’t believe it fair to make that judgement. I have seen some people are her to just party, go to strip clubs, drink until the sun comes up, participate in full moon parties etc. For these ideas I have to wonder if this will be who they are for the rest of their lives, or if perhaps coming her with that mindset will lead them to experience the Thai culture I have witnessed thus far and have a profound experience and realization that enjoyment can come without alcohol, drugs, addiction, but rather through genuine human connection. I don’t look down on these people but rather I hope that they experience profound culture shock when they realize this simply doesn’t fit in with Thai society.

I have seen several people here to escape the depression of their lives at home, to escape problems that they don’t wish to associate with. I find this a noble pursuit, I think that dealing with problems head on that you aren’t able to address in a mature calm way aren’t worth addressing. Perhaps this time abroad will open their eyes, create the ability for them to address these issues, or decide which aren’t worth their time and effort and simply are best to move on. Hopefully they will find their peace and avoid the simple pitfalls of falling back into routines upon their return home.

Lastly those on a cultural experience, I don’t know what to say about this other than unrealistic expectations are a huge pitfall to disappointment. I believe I do have extreme expectations and will likely in some form or another, I am hoping my understanding of this will help me on my way to removing my expectations and having none, or simply lowering them so that I can be wowed, shocked, and enjoy each and every interaction. I think many people who are here for this experience have traveled extensively, and this is what led to this desire, I believe they have likely experienced these other reasons to leave home, and I hope they each get what they want.

But now onto my purpose for this blog, throughout take notice to the way in which these different people create interactions that wouldn’t have come about otherwise. My real purpose for this blog wasn’t to create humor like my last post, wasn’t to document my travels, wasn’t to make money (although I wouldn’t be opposed) and most definitely wasn’t to keep my parents, and friends informed (sorry everyone). I decided the creation of this blog was to help me process my experiences, condense my thoughts, and explore the concepts of travel that I find fascinating.

What I find fascinating is The Nature of Thailand now I mean this in several ways, as someone who studied Environmental Policy, I mean the nature as in physical, as well as cultural, such as the gorgeous trees lining the laundromat across from where I am sitting writing this in Hua Hin, the way the vines wrap around an arch, to the countless potted palm trees, and Bonsai trees that people go around and water every single day and put great care into the maintenance of. To the trash men that came around earlier and tossed every bin, including what I believed were recycle bins into the same garbage truck. The sheer idiocracy of putting a single can of coke into a plastic bag and handing everyone two straws. Or in terms of street food grills where they place each individual type of skewer into its own bag and then all of those small bags into a larger bag. This concept leads to the usage of 70 billion plastic bags every year, many of which end up flowing through the rivers or piled up on along the beaches or simply floating off to sea killing 150 sea turtles every year, 100 whales and dolphins, and countless other species. This idea of plastic bag usage gets into the cultural nature, societal history and the challenges, and immense wonders that come with.

We have spent the last 10 days wandering through the markets of Bangkok, conversing with local shop owners, to learning Thai from a wonderful Thai Teacher. The ability to use this Thai has been wonderful, clearly I’m no expert at Thai already, in fact I’m frightening, god awful, but the people have been so open to listening, it’s remarkable. Bangkok not quite as much I think this is due to the humongous number of westerners they have encountered, but so far in Hua Hin we have met a Police Sergeant who told us how nice everyone was, a local restaurant owner who told us if we ever wanted help practicing our Thai to message him, a lady at the mall who told us she would help find a school for us to teach at, after each of these interactions I have marveled at the friendliness, and the openness people have, and the desire they have to make friends.

We have spent much time learning about terms such as Kreng Jai, and the importance of respect in the Thai culture, I plan to digress about these topics over the next few posts as things come up and examples of each. Things are moving into Thai time though, until tomorrow may mean until next week, there is so much to see and so much to do, when the time comes to sit down, the time comes.