Last Thoughts

There are a lot of things I think a person can learn through travel. I still consider myself an amateur traveler, even though I've been fortunate enough to visit and live in two foreign countries now. I could go on forever talking about the many lessons that are learned, but there are just two things I want to share that stand out to me the most.

Before you continue reading, please keep in mind that these are MY opinions, MY observations, and MY thoughts. I am 100% entitled to my opinions, just as you are. You can agree, or you can disagree. Just understand that my intention is not to belittle or criticize anyone. I've been given the unique opportunity to experience something different from others, and the following is what I have taken away from it. My only intention is to share what I have learned. If you are okay with that, then please keep reading. :)

People are People

People are really the same no matter where you go. Yes, we all have our differences, which is what many of us seem to focus on, but we also have a lot of similarities. Some of us like to think that we are better than others, that our country is greater, our religion is correct, that our progress is the standard by which all others should measure themselves. Guess what. That's what everyone else is thinking, too! When you experience the lifestyle and cultures of other people though, you realize that at the end of the day, we are very much the same. We want to improve the quality of our lives, we want happiness and peace, and we want safety and good health for our families. The way we go about accomplishing those goals may differ, but the desire is the same.

Traveling has allowed me the opportunity to view the world from a unique perspective. And while I cannot say that I have loved every single moment, I can say that every second has been educational, which is the most important thing. A lack of willingness to listen and learn from those who are different from us, directly contributes to the ignorance that is held by many. It is so easy to judge people based off what we see, instead of actually taking the time to learn and understand. I have learned a lot about the Thai culture, and I have more questions now than when I started. The one thing I know for sure though, is that they are people trying to live happy and wholesome lives, just like anyone else. If you ever get the opportunity to experience and learn about a culture different from your own, keep an open mind and remember that we aren't all that different from one another.


Be Grateful

This should be a given, and you definitely don't have to travel the world in order to learn this valuable lesson. However, when you think about the small, everyday conveniences we have that others don't, it really drives the message home. Yes, someone is always going to have more than you, but there are plenty who have a lot less.

I have watched my host sisters study with an intensity I have never seen before from such young students. They attend school from 7:30 AM- 4:30 PM, they each have extra lessons from a private tutor 2-3 times a week for two hour sessions, they go to the learning center every weekend for at least half the day (on both Saturday and Sunday), and they spend almost every free second they have studying. When I commented on this, my host mom informed me that there are only 5 good universities in Thailand, so school is incredibly competitive. They don't like that their children have to work so hard, but even more so, they want to ensure their children have a good future. My host mom told me about a man she knows whose 14-year-old daughter just got married, because her family cannot afford for her to continue on with an advanced education. My host parents don't want such a hard life to befall their own two daughters, so both girls work incredibly hard on their education. Now imagine the opportunities we have at home. Yes, our education system isn't perfect by any means. It's in need of many improvements across the board, but we should thank our lucky stars for the progress we've already made while also fighting to better it.

I have many more examples just like the previous one that I could write a novel about, but instead, I'd like to share a short list of things I'm more grateful for a whole lot more, after spending time in Thailand.

air conditioning - drinkable tap water - hot water - water in general - freedom of speech - driving lanes - driving laws - washing machines and dryers - educational opportunities - toilets - bath tubs - fresh fruits and veggies - Texas food - green, outdoor space - diversity - ovens - dog shelters - my dog - my family - my friends - my bed

Behind each listed item is a story, but you'll have to ask me in person for the specifics. Please note that the list doesn't contain EVERY single thing I'm grateful for. It's just a quick list of things that stood out to me at one point or another during my time in Thailand with a story behind it, but there are many more that could be added.

I hope y'all have enjoyed reading about my experience in Thailand and looking at pictures. It was my goal for everyone to sort of live vicariously through me in a way, because it was an experience worth living. I hope I was at least partially successful. Thank y'all for the support! I only have one more request to make. Tomorrow, I'm making the 22 hour trip back home. I may like to travel, but I absolutely HATE flying. I'm a nervous flyer; it's a horrible, nerve wrecking experience for me the 24 hours leading up to and during the actual flight. Safety wishes are appreciated. Thanks!


                                         

                                          Léaw jer gan, Bangkok. Hello, Houston!

Transportation

Sawatdee ka!

Hello from Bangkok!

Quite a few people have asked me what it's like to get around Bangkok each day. With that in mind, I snapped a few pictures on my most recent jaunt into the city so that I can outline each step in detail. Grab your calculators, guys; you're gonna want to total the time!

Step 1

First, I have to walk to the front of my "neighborhood" to make my way to the main road. Total time= 15-20 minutes.








Step 2

The bus stop that leads into the city is across the road. You have to cross the train tracks,








and then  use the bridge to cross the highway. The bus stop is just a short walk from the end of the bridge. Total time= 10 minutes.








Step 3

Wait for your bus to pick you up. I've never had to wait longer than 5 minutes. Once on the bus, find a seat and get comfortable; it's a long ride to the sky train. Just kidding, there won't be any available seats! You can make the ride a little more comfortable by getting on a bus with A/C, but it will cost a few extra baht. Total time, with traffic= 35-40 minutes. Total time, without traffic= nonexistent.


Step 4

Once the bus arrives at Mo Chit station, walk upstairs, purchase a ticket, and wait for the sky train to arrive. Since Mo Chit is the last stop, most of the seats are vacant. It will become crowded as you make more stops. Be on the look out for elderly people, pregnant women, or monks, because you should offer your seat if there aren't any available. If you're a man sitting between two other men, you should be the first to offer your seat to a monk. They can't touch women, so your seat is the best option. Total time= depends on your destination, mine is normally 25-30 minutes.


Step 5

Treat yo self! If you've been keeping count, you know it took between 1 hour 30 minutes - 1 hour 45 minutes, and you still need to walk to your actual destination! It will probably be another 15 minutes. It can be a little frustrating to get into the city sometimes. Sitting in a hot bus or being crammed against a not-so-fresh smelling person on the sky train for half an hour is enough to grate on anyone's nerves, so I suggest you treat yourself to an ice cold                                                            drink or tasty snack before continuing on. I                                                                          recommend fresh, coconut ice cream!


That's all it takes!

Total time= 1 hr 30 min - 1 hr 45 min
Total cost= 55 baht ($1.58 USD)
Total distance= 23 km (14 miles)

Yes, you read that correctly! It takes an hour and a half for me to travel just fourteen miles into the city, regardless of the time of day. If you are someone I bought a souvenir for, please keep that last fact in mind. It took me three hours of travel time, plus shopping time, to buy you a little key chain. It would be great if you could drop to your knees in gratitude, even if you hate it. :)

Ayutthaya

This is what it's all about: walking around with my eyes wide open, getting lost, and not caring for a single second. I only had a few hours to spend in Ayutthaya, but it was, hands down, one of my best experiences in Thailand. I could have easily spent the entire day, or days, just walking around. Maybe it's because I'm a history nerd, but I'm completely in love with these ruins!

As you can see in the pictures, there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. The sun was blazing down, and I have the burns and blisters to prove it. It was all worth it though, because I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of exploring these beautiful ruins. In case you're wondering how many pictures can a person possibly take of a bunch of bricks. The answer is HUNDREDS, but I'm only sharing a handful. Enjoy!


 




 







 
 
 






        

Pattaya

I wasn't sure if I'd be able to squeeze in a beach trip while in Thailand, but my host family has once again shown me how generous they are. We made the 2.5 hour drive to Pattaya from Bangkok last weekend for a beach day. I just want to reiterate that last fact really quick: Two and a half hours, in a place where the driving laws are apparently just suggestions. If you're someone like me who suffers from horrible car sickness any time you just think about a moving vehicle, then Thailand is the place for you. Just remember to bring your own puke bucket and a heavy supply of colorful words to silently scream in your head during the drive. The trip was well worth it though, because I had a perfect day on the beach with my host family. The sun was bright, the water was cool, and my spirits were high.



I was repeatedly informed by my family that Pattaya doesn't have the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, especially this time of year. The best time to see crystal, clear blue water in Pattaya is December and January, but Phuket (pronounced Poo Khet) has beautiful, paradise-like water all year round. However, we don't have time to make the 9 hour trip to the south of Thailand. Besides, beggars can't be choosers. Any beach that isn't covered beneath three feet of seaweed is beautiful when you live near Galveston, Texas.* Look at that water though; it may not be the most beautiful in all of Thailand, but Pattaya proved to have a gorgeous view of the water and mountains.

* No offense, Galveston! I'll happily take what I can get. 





Fun fact: This trip was my first time riding a jet ski! We also got pulled around on a banana boat, another first for me. I don't have pictures from that ride, because my host mom was too busy dying of laughter as we were repeatedly knocked off and dragged alongside the giant banana. I've not yet decided how I feel about the banana boat. I took it as a personal challenge to not get thrown off, and I'm not pleased with the score: Dawn- 2, Banana Boat- 6.

Lampang

Alrighty! I finally sat down to sort out pictures from my time in Lampang. As I mentioned in an earlier post, my host parents arranged for me to stay with a friend for a few days so that I could see a different part of Thailand.

Wat Phra That Doi Kham, Chiang Mai
I'm warning y'all now that the following observations are being detailed by a clueless bystander. I wish I could write more about what I witnessed, but I really had no clue what was going on, or why, until I googled things later. We made the two hour drive from Lampang to Chiang Mai to visit the Temple of the Golden Mountain. On the drive up the mountain, there are dozens of vendors selling assorted jasmine flowers. You can then add your jasmine to the flowery mass you see below and make a wish.

We also brought offerings: water, napkins, candles, and money. The monks went around to one small group at a time to accept the offerings and then chant a blessing over the group. He spoke in Thai, of course, so don't ask what he was saying. I felt a splash of water on my head and shoulders at one point, so I'm assuming he doused us with holy water while we were kneeling. Afterwards, he tossed us little white bracelets for good fortune. My family told me that the bracelets are made by the monks themselves and blessed in advance to giving them out.

After being blessed, we took some time to enjoy the view from atop the mountain, before heading back to our car. I didn't take a picture of this, but as you leave, there are lottery tickets being sold every few feet. I guess now we know what some people were wishing for with their jasmine.

  
 

Asahna Bucha Day
I didn't take a lot of pictures at the temple on this day, because I was more focused on observing everything around me. PP explained that on Asahna Bucha Day, people go to the temple to bring offerings. They then walk around the shrine three times while carrying flowers and burning incense in a ceremony called wian tian. At different points of the walk, you chant mantras, before finally leaving your flowers in one of the giant bowls located around the shrine. The holiday is very important to the Buddhist religion as it celebrates when the Buddha told the monks of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. The ceremony was very simple but very beautiful at the same time. While I may not always understand the ceremonies being performed, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to witness the different aspects of the Thai culture and Buddhist faith.

Fun fact: It is on this holiday that many young men enter the monkhood. 

 

Elephants
Before I share any pictures of elephants, I have to take a step onto my soapbox first, so bear with me for a minute. Elephants are a huge attraction for tourists in Thailand; however, many places are incredibly cruel to these beautiful creatures. They are often beaten and starved into submission from a young age, all for the sake of giving crowd pleasing shows and jungle trek rides. I did a lot of research to find a reputable place. I wanted to visit a sanctuary for rescued elephants and volunteer for a day, not see a circus show featuring mistreated animals. I was unable to travel to a sanctuary, but the family I stayed with arranged to take me to the elephant hospital. I was hoping it would be a good compromise, but I cannot say that this was a 100% reputable place. They have a hospital where they supposedly rescue and care for elephants, but they also put on three shows a day and give rides. I have no way of knowing how they train the elephants. I did enjoy getting the chance to feed and pet the elephants, but I feel awful about the possibility of it being under poor circumstances. Should you, or someone you know, travel to Thailand, please do your homework and spread the message. Visit a sanctuary, or volunteer for a day. #savetheelephants




 

Wat Arun

After visiting Wat Pho, we hopped on a boat to cross the river, grabbed lunch, and walked to our next destination. This beautiful, grand structure is lovingly known to me as 'The Place Where I Got Sick... Three Times.' It's known to others as Wat Arun. I don't think I need to describe anything, but I'll just share that I had noodles and pork on a stick for lunch. Feel free to have a moment of silence for me. A public restroom in Thailand is not the place you want to be sick. Nuff said.

The temple is currently undergoing renovations, so we weren't able to climb it and check out the view. Even covered with railings, it's a sight to behold. Although, you probably can't tell in the photos. I will say that it was a little difficult to get pictures because 1) the sun was in a position that caused glares and 2) I was a little preoccupied with trying to keep my lunch down. Nevertheless, enjoy!

Wat Arun
Temple of Dawn




  

The water picture on the right is Wat Arun from the other side of the river.