I think of myself as a pretty open person. Not in the respect that I share my thoughts and feelings, but in that I try to explore different places, meet all types of people and try new things. It’s really easy to do all of this when you’re far away from home. Every time I step outside my apartment a new face, place or activity is waiting for me. It could be as simple as riding on a new form of transportation or as exciting as rafting down a river in the mountains. I have never made a bucket list or anything like that, but since I’ve been in Thailand I’ve been trying to keep track of the new things I’ve done and experienced.
I’ve ridden in and on a lot of forms of transportation that were literally foreign to me. During the first week I rode in a tuktuk. I learned it’s impossible to eat while flying down the highway in one, but besides that tuktuks are amazing. No need for air conditioner because you’re out in the breeze. I think it’s better than a motorcycle taxi because there’s no need to hang on either. My first motorcycle taxi ride was quite the experience. I was headed to the bus station with my weekend pack on. The driver motioned both Saleem and I on the same one. I was a bit terrified, but after a few kilometers I eased up and it was enjoyable, but expensive. I also rode on a ferry for the first time and I realized this will be something I do often in order to visit the various islands. The fumes from the ferries always give me a headache so I’d have to say they are my least favorite type of transportation here. The cheapest and easiest is probably the song tows. They have specific routes so it’s easy to catch one and hop off where ever you need to be. Song tow rides only cost 10-20 baht and who doesn’t love riding in the back of a pick up? Speaking of trucks, Thailand is the first I’ve hitchhiked too. Everyone with pickup trucks is willing to pull over and let you hop in the back. Some of the coolest people I’ve met actually picked me up in their cars so we had a chance to make (very) small talk.
I’ve experienced some neat things in nature too. I saw an enormous anthill, it came up to my knees and it was rock solid. I had no idea anthills of that magnitude existed. I also looked up through the center of a tree. Sounds weird, I know, but these live trees are hollow in the middle. Their roots twist up to make the trunk and they all wind around and spin in different ways, which leaves a hollow cylinder in the middle. If I were a bird or a spider I would definitely call one of these trees my home. I saw gibbons high up on the jungle canopy and hopefully I’ll see more on my upcoming zip-lining trip. I’ve also had some pretty crazy looking bugs crawling on me, but I’d rather not relive that here. Just walking through the jungle was an amazing experience. I have never felt so in love with nature. Everything is green and alive. I could really feel the life because of the different forms of protection all the plants and vines had, mainly in the form of thorns. You could sense that they were always on guard trying to stay alive and grow. I was able to go to the highest point in central Thailand, but I actually loved being down in the jungle more. I felt like I was a part of everything instead of just gazing over all that the jungle held. Some days I wish I could come back as a tiger or elephant so I could roam the jungle for years. I’m sure I would find something new and different every day.
While I enjoy all of my crazy new experiences, some of the best happen right in my home city of Chonburi. Like tonight when I went up to a random food stall and just pointed at the shrimp and smiled. The man working at the cart pointed at a bowl and I pointed to the plate instead. I went and sat down and waited to see what exactly I just ordered. It turned out to be a delicious mix of cabbage, carrots, noodles, shrimp and a spicy sauce. I was instantly rewarded for going out on a limb and trying something new. I had been hesitant to try a new cart night after night in the market and tonight made me wonder why. The worst that could happen is a bad dinner and when it only costs a dollar why not just buy a good one afterwards? I’m not sure what the dish I ordered tonight was called, but I’ll go there again. I’ve also tried a new dish called Pad Me Hong Kong Gong. It is also cabbage, other vegetables, shrimp and thicker noodles with a different, not so spicy, sauce. The more dishes I try, the more I love and the more options I have. I’m going to challenge myself not to play it safe anymore. The only thing I won’t change is my smoothie. I love the coconut and pineapple combo and I don’t even have to order it anymore, I just show up and it gets made.
Every day here is an adventure and I have to keep reminding myself to go seek it. During the week I tend to focus on work, exercise and relaxing, but I really should be getting out more. Even if it means reading my book down by the water instead of on my balcony or running a different way instead of at the exercise park. Last weekend I ran by the water and it was really rewarding. I saw new faces and even a few old ones from the exercise park. I enjoyed the new scenery of the moon rising over the water, families picnicking by the docks and I discovered a different exercise park and night market. I also ran a lot further and longer than I did when I simply ran around the track at the park. Although I like getting into routines, I have to remind myself that there may be other, better or even just different habits to form.
The next month holds a lot of new experiences for me. I’m daydreaming constantly about my best friend coming to visit and all the activities I have planned for us. My December holds days filled with island hoping where I’ll be attending full moon parties, snorkeling, and riding on long-tail boats. Next weekend I’m going to an island chain where you can actually walk from island to island during low tide. I have some new sights in my future too. This weekend I’m going to climb high into the northern mountains, above the clouds, where I’ll watch the sun come up. I’ll be visiting old temples, caves and hot springs too. I plan on taking a meditation course and getting massages from reformed women prisoners who are near release and need practice at their new life skill. I also have a bunch of fun activities like rock climbing, mountain biking, elephant riding and zip lining ahead of me. I wouldn’t call this a bucket list because it’s more me keeping track of things I’ve already done. What would I call such a list? Suggestions please…
