Well. That's a wrap. In a few hours I will be heading to the airport, jumping on a plane (3 planes), then its just a short 27ish hours and I'll be home sweet home. Doesn't that sound like fun? On the bright side, I will be travelling back in time. So that's neat. I leave here at 8 o clock Wednesday the 21st, fly for 21 hours, then get home at 3:20 on Wednesday the 21st. Maaaagic.
There are so many things I have to say about this trip to Thailand. Too many in fact. So I will make a list or two in an attempt to get some of my points across.
To start us off I figured it would be a good idea to list the things I am looking forward to.
Off the top of my head and in to particular order;
1. Not having to pay to go to the bathroom
2. Having people understand me when I speak english
3. Snow
4. Spending more than a few hours with my brother
5. Pickles
6. Holiday music
7. Snow
8. My birthday
9. My friends and family/giving everyone their Thailand swagg
10. Walking down the street without getting called Shakira....I don't get it either
11. My kitties
Now the things I will miss;
1. 6 dollar massages
2. Seeing temples every time I turn a corner
3. Fresh fruit every five steps
4. Seeing the orange of monk's robes...gets me everytime
5. Petting exotic animals
6. The sunshine
7. Meeting new people
8. The thousands of stray kitties for me to play with
9. Being asked if I would like a tuk-tuk....PSYCHE
Here are a few lessons I learned;
1. Always carry toilet paper with you in your purse
2. Always insist on using the meter when getting into a taxi
3. When bartering, offer them half of what they ask for then slowly go up
4. If someone trying to sell you a suit or a dress goes to shake your hand...don't do it, they will never let go
5. Don't mess with a Thai person. I watched an old man get beat up in the middle of the street.
6. Never, EVER, say no to a bucket
In all seriousness I have learned a lot this trip about the way life works, sometimes things work out the way they were planned and sometimes they don't. Everything happens for a reason and I learned to make the best of whatever situation I am in and to always keep a positive attitude. As my mother always says, positive begets positive and always keep an open mind. My trip didn't go as planned, but it still turned out to be an amazing experience filled with new friends, new sights, and a new maturity. I have been asked by a lot of people if I think I have changed since being here, if i have 'found myself' as so many people intend to do when they set out to travel. I'd like to say I have, but the truth is I have no idea. Does a person really change that much over 3 months? I guess I will let you guys be the judge of that when I get home but all I know is the changes I have seen in people on this trip, and I can't help but assume that I have done the same. I have spent a LOT of time by myself here which has granted me time in indulge in planning my future. I didn't have any major epiphany which resulted in me finding the career path I want to take but more than anything it just solidified the plans I already made. I have always known what I want to do when I grow up and being here just made me more sure of it. I have been making new plans though. I now have a burning desire to keep travelling, which I'm sure happens all too often to people after they return from their first adventure, and I am already thinking about all the places I want to go and see. I get excited just thinking about it.
Part of the reason I want to continue travelling is because of the people I met. I made a life long friend in Tanita that's for sure. I have always heard from others who have travelled about all the people they encountered along the way and I'm so glad meeting people was as easy they made it out to be. I met so many people in so many different ways, whether it was through TEFL, or some strangers listening to the black keys in the lobby of my hotel, or friends of a friend I met here, or even a kind boy taking care of my drunk friend. The great part is that everyone I met has a story, and probably my favourite thing was listening to these almost complete strangers open up and tell me theirs. I think there is a safety in knowing that the person sitting across from you listening intently to what you have to say has no prior knowledge about your past that is comforting to people and allows them to open up. I heard stories of adoption, the death of a mother, struggles with addiction, problems with parents, just about every kind of problem you can imagine, and the cool thing was, everyone over came whatever their struggle was and taught me another lesson that I can carry with me as I grow up, life goes on. No matter what happens in life, things will get better. It truly made me appreciate the life my parents have given me that's for sure. Until now I think I had taken for granted what a loving, supportive family I have, and I can assure you thanking them for that is the first thing I am going to do when I get home.
These are all lessons I've heard before, things that people have told me over and over again during my childhood but I don't think anyone can really understand until they experience it for themselves. So thanks Thailand, I will takes these lessons home with me and try to never forget them.
Well. I've got a bag to pack, some sleep to sleep, and a cab to catch so I guess by the time you guys read this I will be on my way home. Can't wait to see you all. Love you very much.
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