Each day seems to be going by faster than the last as I near my seventh month in Thailand, away from the familiarity of Canada and in a new country that has become a second home.
I remember, as if it was only a few days ago, arriving at the Bangkok International Airport, wondering what I was doing going on an exchange. Why did I choose Thailand? Why would I want to spend a year in what Western culture views as a diseased, Third World country full of avian flu and malaria and that is now is dealing with the aftermaths of a recent tsunami? The simple answer is, although I could have never predicted the tsunami or say for sure that Thailand is free of disease, it has already proven to be a life-lasting experience full of culture, travels and personal growth.
On Dec. 26 when the devastating tsunami hit the south eastern coastline of Thailand, as well as many other areas in southeast Asia, it brought the world together in an effort of relief, community and aid. Although Thailand was not one of the hardest hit countries, there was destruction throughout the coastline. I remember taking a taxi through Bangkok two weeks after the tsunami struck and talking to the driver who couldn't stop thanking me as a Canadian for all of the help we were providing within the region. It was such a wonderful feeling knowing Canadians were making a difference in a country that needed help.
During that same trip, I noticed in front of the United Nations building there were about 500 misplaced and homeless people who had made the grassed area a temporary home. Still recovering from the damage, this area needs tourists so the local society's main income can be replenished and continued.
I have to admit I haven't been going to school much. I have, instead, been taking in the language and culture through travelling.
I spent the beginning of January saying goodbye to our "oldies," the exchange students who arrived in January 2004. It was a hard time saying goodbye to friends I was now very close to, not knowing the next time we would see each other. With the departure of "oldies" comes "newbies" - from Brazil, South Africa and Australia.
A recent trip to the country of Laos with my host father took me to its capital of Vientiane. We toured the area with some of his friends and stopped at various markets, temples and other tourist attractions. I did not see much of the country during the one-day trip and can only say it was similar to Thailand except they drive on the same side of the road as in Canada.
The MTV Asia Awards, also known as MTV Asia Aid, were held in Bangkok on Feb. 3 and I was lucky enough to receive free red carpet tickets for the show. Celebrities and groups such as Alicia Keys, Simple Plan, Good Charlotte and Hoobastank turned out. Overall it was quite the performance, but was a bit drawn out while MTV decided to redo some of the acts because of technical problems.
I celebrated the Chinese New Year with my host family and their relatives in Bangkok's Chinese district and Chinatown, which is much like Vancouver's. There were many festivities such as dragon dancing, fireworks and streets filled with merchants. At the same time, we toured the Bangkok area and visited a huge hydro-electric dam and various temples.
Coming up at the end of the month is the summer break that will run until around the beginning of May. That's right, no more school for quite a while, and you know what that means - more travelling around this vast and interesting country of Thailand!
If you have any questions or just want to keep in touch, send me an email at [email protected].
