The things you experience while in Thailand: the oppressive, thick heat. The sweat that collects on your chest and the small of your back and takes up permanent residence on your brow. The sand and dirt that cling to your feet and under your nails no matter how many times you wash your hands. The healthy distrust of all water that doesn’t come from a sealed bottle. The confusion of so many things happening at once, all the while trying to navigate on your own. The fear of the fire dancers getting too close with their dangerous tricks. The hungover mornings after nights of a little too much living in the moment. The overwhelming feeling of not wanting to leave.
The things you remember from Thailand, what you take with you when you leave: the excitement of finding your own way around, safely, and arriving at point B from point A (after two ferries, a bus, a flight, and a taxi ride in between). The Thai people that communicate through hand gestures and smiles but are always not just willing, but happy to help and to talk a while if you take the time to. The culture, with a new lesson every where you look about something that was foreign but now seems familiar. The happiness that is the driving force of the country, the bond in any interaction, the motivation for every action, the feeling in every moment. The fellow travellers you meet along the way that are like-minded and open hearted, making what could have been a lonely moment a new connection and a happy memory. The sunsets on the southern islands. A vibrating, all-encompassing motivation to return, to see more, do more, learn more, eat more, and love more.
10 days in Thailand: Temples, blessings, and Buddhist monks. A river tour & feeding fish. Street food and a magic show. A cooking class. A temporary tattoo. The hustle & bustle of a big city. An overnight train. Then, floating bungalows. Watching the sun rise over the lake as the clouds kiss the still water. Absolute serenity. More travel. An island. A sunset dinner on the beach and private party with strangers that turned into friends. A beach day, boat cruise, and snorkeling. Elephants: slow, gentle, playful, caring creatures. A Thai massage on the beach at dusk. Scuba diving off another island with new friends. Songkran New Year festivities back in the big city.
In the end it was not what I did, but who I did it with. Forming new friendships with old acquaintances, finding new companions in impossible crowds, feeling the security of lasting friendships after only knowing these people for one week.
Travelling is about seeing new places, gaining new perspective through new experiences, and broadening your mind and your horizons. But as well as all that, travelling is about who you meet, who accompanies you along the way through new countries and personal growth, and who you are by the end of it all.
I am happy. I’m adventurous and outgoing and I’m not afraid to start a conversation with a perfect stranger in hopes that by the end of it they will be a new friend. I am confident, comfortable enough in my own skin to wear that skin in new places all on my own. I am passionate in everything that I do because I’ve learned that if I’m not willing to give it my all then it is not worth my time. I am proud to say that this is who I am and who I hope to continue to be going into my 22nd year of life.
Who are you?
Travel, and find out.
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