I apologize that much of this might be repetitive. But here is a short essay, enjoy.

During my short time in Thailand I have made several connections that have left an impact on me over a very short period of time. I have made countless friends within the XploreAsia community that have given me the confidence to step out and attempt to integrate with people at markets, restaurants, and the neighborhoods in which I have walked around. I have been simply taken aback by the friendliness, generosity, and open arms that I feel have been extended to me, a foreigner in a new town, new country, and starkly different culture.

I have met several people while here in Hua Hin, while I don’t think I can truly consider any of them people that I would hang out with on a regular basis. I believe if I was to stay longer in Hua Hin I would certainly see that as a possibility. I do however think that both myself and them go out of our way to say “hello”. I have made an effort to use Thai and by asking these people their names, I have had the opportunity to see their faces light up, and a new side of their personality. I have met Oi, Joy, and Palic. Each of these people have shown such kindness in each of our interactions. From Oi who lives on the corner by BaanSanPluem, always bringing her dogs Bully and Cheetah over to us to say hello on their walks, to Joi whose spring rolls bring me such joy, and lastly Palic the restaurant owner of 65 Cafe and Bistro on Soi 51 who helps with translations whenever possible.

Palic was the first Thai person that had a major impact on me while out and about in Hua Hin. There was a group of five of us who visited his restaurant after our Thai language lessons with Pear. He was our first insight into the generosity of Thai Culture, and the idea that a little step to bridge the gap with someone can do leaps and bounds for their demeanor towards someone. Our attempts at Thai were amusing to him, however his laughs weren’t meant to target us, but rather a bemusement at our attempt. He made an effort to help us, correcting our prenunciation of the foods that we utterly butchered. We asked him how to say things and he was generous, we took a few pictures with him, which he shared to his facebook page, he tagged me and said “any assistance about Thai pls inbox ask me^^”. The kindness offered to us is distincly differnt than anything I have experienceed abroad before, and especially while within the United States of America.

Oi the owner of Bully and Cheetah is who the majority of my interactions have been with. She has been so welcoming, so friendly, and so eager to share her loving dogs with us. After most interactions she has offered me her hose to wash my hands off, and last time she showed me a trick she had been teaching to Bully, how to shake when you say “Sa-Wat-Dee”. I have found her kindness at every interaction to be remarkable, whether it is just me, or five of us, she has always shown us such kindness, and even an effort to try and bridge the language barrier that I know must be frightening and challenging to do. Because of this I have made every opportunity to use Thai when speaking with her and alway let her know that we will see her later, and thank her for bringing out Bully and Cheetah.

Joi is coloqually known to many as Spring Roll Lady, however I finally had to ask her what her name was. Joi, I can’t think of a simpler name to remember for someone who brings me such joy in this world. The reason I chose to include her isn’t because of a true and serious friendship that I have developed with her, but rather after we saw her at Tedseban taking her son to class, she has greeted us with the biggest smile. A greeting that shows such compassion, and warmth that I am not used to seeing in strangers.

All of these interactions have something in common, te generosity, and kindness that I have seen within the Thai culture thus far. I have only been in Thailand for a month now, there is so many connections that I have yet to make, yet I have felt such a major impact from these people. I have had to reflect on my past actions and realize how stark the difference in openness that people have where I am from in Seattle. I view my community where I was from as a warm and open place, but in comparison it is cold, wet and dark. This isn’t to say I view it as such, but I am just much more aware of the possibilities and kindness that can be. I hope if I take nothing else away from my time here in Thailand, I can take this way at approaching strangers and a general attitude towards people back. I believe that this kindness, and generosity is missing, and can imporve so many facets of life, regardless of other luxuries and desires, a simple act of kindness can brighten up the aspects that remain in destitution.

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.