One Month in Thailand
So, for an official update…
This first month of December has seemingly flown by without our notice. Just as everyone says, it seems as if we’ve been here for an eternity and just arrived all at the same time. I find it interesting how quickly those things which seem bizarre become so normal. For example, the first time we went to a market for a meal, an awful smell penetrated the air and I thought I was going to be sick. It’s funny because just about three weeks later, I smelled that same smell and it reminded me I was hungry. Every day I am reminded of how much Thailand has become another home.
In the last month, we have….
…Gone through Module 1 of Thai language school
…Learned to sleep though Soi Dogs endlessly bark
…Learned to ride bike on the opposite side of the street. (So far, no calamities have occurred. However, one of our bikers has hit a parked car.)
…Made friends! =]
…Eaten a few things that some would classify as inedible. Fish meat balls are just not my favorite. I feel the same about cow brain.
…Drank coffee that is more like sweeten condensed milk with a mild coffee flavor. (I feel as though it took a few years off of my life.)
…Learned that ten baht bubble tea is a little taste of heaven on earth. (Ten baht is about 33 U.S. cents)
…Resolved that Chicken Fried Rice is the comfort food of Thailand.
…Found that four, and occasionally five, people can sit somewhat comfortably in a taxi
…Discovered that no one actually understands how traffic patterns work AND as long as no one has suffocated, room most definitely exists for at least three more people on the bus.
…Wondered how the buses are still working… “Guys, I can see the ROAD through the hard wood flooring. Woah, I think that board’s loose… Maybe, don’t step on it?”
…Decided the most common pick up line is “Hello! I love you.” (Did that actually ever work?)
… Become a spectator’s sport.
…Learned that people walk where ever they may please. Just walk wherever you please and stay out of the way of others. (Impossible, yes.)
…Learned to love the people of Thailand.
…Gone through Module 1 of Thai language school
…Learned to sleep though Soi Dogs endlessly bark
…Learned to ride bike on the opposite side of the street. (So far, no calamities have occurred. However, one of our bikers has hit a parked car.)
…Made friends! =]
…Eaten a few things that some would classify as inedible. Fish meat balls are just not my favorite. I feel the same about cow brain.
…Drank coffee that is more like sweeten condensed milk with a mild coffee flavor. (I feel as though it took a few years off of my life.)
…Learned that ten baht bubble tea is a little taste of heaven on earth. (Ten baht is about 33 U.S. cents)
…Resolved that Chicken Fried Rice is the comfort food of Thailand.
…Found that four, and occasionally five, people can sit somewhat comfortably in a taxi
…Discovered that no one actually understands how traffic patterns work AND as long as no one has suffocated, room most definitely exists for at least three more people on the bus.
…Wondered how the buses are still working… “Guys, I can see the ROAD through the hard wood flooring. Woah, I think that board’s loose… Maybe, don’t step on it?”
…Decided the most common pick up line is “Hello! I love you.” (Did that actually ever work?)
… Become a spectator’s sport.
…Learned that people walk where ever they may please. Just walk wherever you please and stay out of the way of others. (Impossible, yes.)
…Learned to love the people of Thailand.
To be honest, Thailand and I had a rough start. I had a fever the first few days and even though my physical health went back to normal in about a week, I still just felt rather pathetic and I wanted to go home. They say that’s normal. I can’t remember feeling homesick. New places, being on “my own”, and growing up always were the exciting things to me. All of a sudden, I wanted to be home and I missed my family and my friends more than the words I have could express. All these things brought me to think a lot about this grand thing we call life and I wondered at how we measure a good life. I wondered at how one is considered a success or a failure. I wondered at what I really find important in life and if being in Thailand for the next 8 months was truly worth it. Once again, I had to learn the hard way that I have to bring my troubles, cares, concerns, and heartache before The One who knows my soul and once again, learn to rely on Him for my strength. I find that this has been the case many times in life, but it’s an unending lesson.
This road, I know, is not an easy one. Of course, that is where the most valuable lessons are learned
