Hmmmm....

I’m sitting in the airport in Thailand, with 2 hours until I board my flight to Singapore, then it’s on to the Philippines tomorrow. I could’ve used this time to study, or work on my first challenge for Project TOTO however blogging seems more fun now. Although I can’t quite work out how to use the airport wi-fi so it’s more than likely that I’ll post this at a later date...

On the long cab ride here, I realised I’ve been living in Thailand for 2 months. Pretty impressive that I have survived this long, especially considering the number of times I’ve been in a cab. Those of you who have been in a taxi in Thailand will know what I mean. The radio in the taxi was playing the Thai version of cheesy 80’s or 90’s rock ballads and we all know those are the perfect soundtracks for a little reflection. I mean, who hasn’t listened to Bon Jovi crooning about life and reflected on their own?? So I came to realise a few things.

Thailand has made me infinitely more patient than I once was. Those of you who know me well know that I have the patience of a small child. I want what I want and I want it now. But here, things are never that easy. There are no bus timetables (well, apparently there are but schedules don’t seem to mean much here), people often walk slow (even though they drive like maniacs) and the language barrier means that buying anything, asking questions, even ordering lunch at school can turn into a lengthy process.

If you had asked me a month ago, I would’ve said I was ready to come home but in the cab ride to the airport, I also realised that I am actually going to miss Thailand. I will miss the hilarity that comes with the aforementioned language barrier. I will miss being able to utilise my miming skills that, after two months of practice, would now put Marcel Marceau to shame. Seriously. I can mime everything from drink, to lighter, chicken, no fish, and toilet. It’s quite a skill. I’ll miss cheap food. Really miss it. I’m going to be Adelaide’s biggest scrooge when I have to pay more than 50 cents for a Cornetto, or 25 cents for a bottle of water. And eating at Mayo Cafe and UBC at uni is going to be a real struggle. At MUIC’s canteen, I can get an amazing pad thai, or chicken curry with rice (although I have recently completed a week long boycott against rice), a fruit smoothie and some fresh pineapple for around $3. Going back to Mayo’s crappy chips and gravy is going to suck. I will miss Milo Nuggets, one of the world’s greatest inventions. I may even miss people constantly staring at me and taking my photos. When I step onto that plane to head home, I will no longer be a “celebrity”. Walking down the street without feeling like a movie star will be strange. As will be the ease of life in a country where you speak the language. I’ll be able to get into a taxi and tell them where I need to go, without using a map, or calling someone to tell them for me.

Most of all, I’m going to miss the people I live with. Sure, I’ll get to see everyone back home again, but I knew that you would all be there when I came back. When I leave here, it could be ages if I see these people again, if ever. Living in a dorm has its challenges **THIS MEANS YOU FRIDGE MONSTER** but I’m lucky enough that I when I need a break, I can retreat to my room. I also know that if I’m in a bad mood, someone will be there to yank me out of it. If I’m sad or feeling homesick, I can go downstairs to the common area and there will be any number of people there to cheer me up. Or even if I just get a case of the sillies, there is always someone around to be silly with. Yes, again, I have this at home, but here in Thailand, in the dorm, it’s right there. I don’t have to make a phone call, or travel far to see anyone. The thought of not seeing the awesome people I live with every day sucks. But there is a bright side. I will now have friends all over the world. And I love to travel (even if I hate to fly), so they can all expect an Aussie visitor eventually.

I’m going to find it strange to come home to Adelaide and no longer see greenery around. Or to walk down the street and not see a woman begging for money for her and her children. It will be odd to see Australian houses with their well kept yards, lined up street after street, without seeing mansions next to tin slums. To not see people bathing in the river. To walk down the street and not have my nostrils assaulted by the strange smells of street stalls, cooking fish and pork and god knows what else. There will no longer be stray cats and dogs everywhere that make me sad, no spirit houses and people will no longer “wai” me when they say hello.

Damn you Thai 80’s/90’s rock ballads!

Despite everything I’ve said that I will miss, I do miss you all back home, and can’t wait to see you again!!!
Hugs & love!!!

xoxo

PS - This was posted 2 days after it was written, while I was in the Philippines!