Sawatdeekah! (That means hello). And thanks, Taylor Swift, for perfectly summing up how this trip has been for me so far (minus the lonely part). I’m definitely happy, and most definitely confused.
After traveling over 30 hours, I’m finally in Bangkok. Well, I’ve actually been here for about 28 hours, but it’s been busy. I’ll tell you one thing: I never want to see an airplane again. My flights were fine, but 16 hours in one seat is just way too long. Especially when it smells like the guy next to you hasn’t bathed in a week (sorry, sir, I really hope you don’t read this). To my pleasant surprise, I’m not jet-lagged at all. I did sleep 12 hours last night, though. Yesterday, I met with a bunch of the other teachers at the hotel, and obviously our first move was to head right to 7-Eleven to buy beer and hang out at the rooftop pool (30+ hours of traveling, we deserved it). So far, I love it here. The people, both Thais and the other teachers, are AMAZING.
Today, I took a private riverboat to the area with all of the temples (first stop: Reclining Buddha), and then we explored the temples as well as the Grand Palace. It’s been so much different than the religious places I’ve seen in Europe. It’s actually breathtaking. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my life. The attention to detail is astonishing to me. I wish the pictures did everything I’ve seen any justice, but sadly, they don't. My friends and I sat in a particular shrine to Buddha (I think that's what it would be called) for about 15 minutes, and I’ve never felt so peaceful in my life. Maybe it was the fact that there was a fan cooling me down, but maybe it was something else. I’d like to learn more about Buddhism and meditation.
On a lighter note, here’s a summary of the things I’ve learned in my first few days in Bangkok.
I am rich. Okay, so I’m not really rich. In fact, if you ever need to make me cry, just show me a copy of my bank statement (just kidding, I’m not that poor). All kidding aside, the American dollar is so strong here. The current exchange rate is 36 baht to 1 USD. I knew this before coming, but I didn’t realize what that actually meant. So to put it in perspective, here’s a list of some things I’ve purchased and how much my dollar got me:
-Water= $1
-1 hour river cruise= $10
-Delicious Thai meal with drink= $5
-40 minute tuk tuk ride $3
-Elephant shorts, elephant shirt, elephant pants =$3 each (I like elephants if you can’t tell)
-Entrance to Grand Palace= $3
-Boat across river= 8 cents
Make it rain.
Not everything on your plate is edible. Maybe I’m just an idiot, though. For my first meal in Thailand, I went with some friends to a place right around the corner from our hotel. I felt like we were sitting in the middle of someone’s living room. It definitely didn’t seem like a restaurant, but the food was actually pretty good. Okay, so back to the whole not everything being edible thing. I ordered fried rice with pork and when they brought me soup, I decided to just roll with it. It smelled pretty good, but after a few bites I came across something that looked either like a vegetable or a noodle. After chewing on it for a solid minute and a half, I realized it wasn’t going anywhere. Just there for flavor I guess. I’m 99% sure it was some type of wood. Bamboo maybe. I don’t know. I’m just glad I walked away splinter-free.
It smells and is kind of gross. Bangkok is a city, and I know all cities are kind of nasty in their own ways, but Bangkok really is something else. Don’t get me wrong, it’s absolutely great here, but I’ve never actually felt like I was actually going to vomit from the smell of something until today. I tried to photograph some of the things that smell so putrid that they would induce vomiting, but couldn’t stick around to wait for the shutter of the camera. Lots of fish. In hot buildings. Without ice. ‘Nough said. There is also garbage and filth everywhere. I will certainly miss this aspect of America: the land of the free and clean.
I have more sweat glands than I even knew about. TMI? Sorry. Thailand is hot. So, so hot. I am sweating in places that I never even knew had sweat glands. I’m basically dying of heat stroke in a skirt and t-shirt, then I look around and see the Thais wearing long pants and shirts, and they seem perfectly comfortable. Survival of the fittest, I guess. Praying to Charles Darwin that I adapt quickly.
There is quite a bit of poverty. I expected this, but it doesn’t make it any less sad to actually see. To my surprise, I haven’t seen any homeless people. Just people living in huts that are falling apart. Imagine the environments of the commercials you see on TV for saving children from Africa. Many of the homes are like that. I’ve also seen more stray cats and dogs that I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s so sad. The inner conflict of wanting to pick them up and love them and not wanting to get bit by a rabid animal and have to put my rabies vaccine to use is killing me. Mom and dad, if I come home with 12 new animals, don’t be surprised. :)
I wish I had made a more solid effort to learn the language and culture. Sitting in restaurants trying to ask for the check, and not being able to understand a single thing anyone is saying, or how to act/interact with people at temples has lead me to wishing I had studied up a little more on the Thai culture before arriving. I’m really not sure what the etiquette is for being in temples. That’s the biggest thing. Thais are very serious about their Buddhist religion, and the last thing I want to do is offend anyone/ get arrested for offending anyone. Like, did you know it’s extremely disrespectful to buy a Buddha statue or image for decoration, or get a Buddha tattoo? I had no clue. My homework to myself is to study up. I’m a quick learner. I know how to say two whole things!! Hello and thank you. I’m basically almost fluent. But really, I’m going to try.
You could not pay me to drive in Thailand. My time in Bangkok so far has taught me that the term “masshole” means absolutely nothing compared to Thai drivers. If I had to learn to drive in Thailand, my entire head of hair would be grey. Seriously, they’re insane. I’m almost certain there are no rules for driving at all. Scooters and tuk tuks weave in and out of traffic, and I’ve almost been hit by a scooter more times than I can count. I’m still trying to decide if I think the people on the scooters are super brave or just super crazy. Most don’t wear helmets and get this: most women ride side-sattle. Like WHAAAT, are you nuts? Good for you, you brave women, but no thank you. Maybe I’m just clumsy, or maybe I have trust issues, but there is no way I’d ever do that. I had a hard enough time staying in my seat in the tuk tuk and I can picture myself flinging right off at any turn.
So, that’s my trip so far. Now I’m off to get ready for bed (it’s not even 9 pm, I’m quite the wild child) and then cause trouble in Bangkok tomorrow. Lots of love—Erin.