Travel Decisions. Where to Next?

There are so many decisions to make. With a limited number of weekends, my time and money must be spent wisely. Would I rather go to Burma or Vietnam? Some other international students are traveling to Bali, and another group to Singapore. I would like to visit Angkor Wat temples in Cambodia and also get dive certified. I want to go to Chiang Mai for at least one weekend. I also would like to spend a day with elephants at a humane elephant camp for rescued elephants. A friend mentioned volunteering with horses which happen to be my favorite animal. I still have not made it to Ayutthaya or the Grand Palace yet. Even after spending 3 months here I know I won't be able to see everything. As disappointing as that is, it also means that I will just have to come back someday to visit the places I am unable to get to this semester.

With limited funds I am having to prioritize and make decisions about which places I would really like to go see. Would I rather spend a weekend on the beach or in the mountains? Do I want to see everything that I can in Thailand, or take advantage of the fairly inexpensive transportation and explore more of Southeast Asia while I am already halfway around the world? These are the questions that I'm having to answer and it's difficult. I am glad that there is so much to do in Thailand though!

I am learning all about transportation and getting around effectively as well as efficiently. Trains, buses, planes, taxis, skytrain, subway, tuk-tuks, motorbikes, and minivans are all ways to get around in Thailand. Finding the best way to get somewhere can be pretty difficult. There are multiple bus stations and different buses to get to those stations (or should we take a taxi?). It can get pretty confusing. I know the two main places to catch buses or vans to places further away. I know which buses to take to get there, but I have to really pay attention to know when to ring the buzzer to get off the bus. There is still so much to learn, but I'm getting better. The first big trip to Koh Samet took much longer than it should have to get there. Luckily, everyone was pretty upbeat about the all-day trip, despite the fact that we sat on the ferry for 3 hours before it actually left the dock and it took about twice as long as it should have. Websites like tripadvisor.com and agoda.com have been lifesavers so far, as well as others' blogs and advice that I've found online. The internet is a wonderful resource.

Where would you like to go? Start looking into it now. Print our some awesome pictures and tape them to a travel jar to collect change to start saving for your trip. Get a passport. Check out studying abroad, gap years, working abroad, volunteering, or traveling abroad. I'm already thinking about my next trips abroad and how I'm going to save for them. Hopefully I'll be able to go on a safari in Africa. I'd also like to backpack through Europe. I now feel like I know a good number of people to meet up with on my way through, thanks to studying abroad. This experience brings together people from all over the world. It's really pretty cool. I have connections everywhere!

“Adventure is a path. Real adventure- self-determined, self-motivated, often risky- forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind- and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.” Mark Jenkins

Khao Yai National Park- A Beautiful Place

I am blown away by the beauty of this country. Yesterday I hiked through the jungle, visited one of the prettiest places I've ever been to, felt the mist from the tallest waterfall in Thailand, and saw a wild elephant and monkeys in their natural habitat. I even put a scorpion on my shoulder! The day before that we visited a bat cave, watched thousands of bats leave their cave at dusk, and swam in a natural spring. Our group of 33 international students stayed at a hotel that offered tours that were reviewed highly online and also one of the cheapest tours that goes to Khao Yai National Park. I went on a day and a half tour, ate all of my meals at the hotel's restaurant, and stayed there for 2 nights for a whopping total of 1,555 baht, which is equivalent to about $51.80.

It's hard to capture the beauty that I saw this weekend in a photo because that picture shows only a small element of that moment. To really understand what it was like you have to be there to smell the fresh air, hear the birds and the movement of the branches and grass in the wind, feel the tall, rough grass brush against your legs, and see the sights of the untouched land in front of you.

My love for nature has grown. I've never been much of an outdoorsy person, but already I would like to go hiking more. I have made plans with a friend of mine here that lives a few hours away from me at home to go hiking sometime. I'd also like to go on a safari in Africa. I love seeing animals in their natural habitats much more than at the zoo.

I am hoping to be able to spend a day with rescued elephants at a humane elephant camp. Unfortunately, there are many elephant camps in Thailand that don't treat the animals well. It's sad to see these beautiful creatures doing very unnatural things. It gives me a sick feeling in my stomach to imagine how they were trained to do those circus tricks, and also to see how entertained some of the audience is. Known for grace and beauty, elephants are also dangerous when they feel threatened, something that I witnessed this weekend. While traveling through Khao Yai national park, there was an elephant right behind our truck, following us down the road for about a half hour. Behind the elephant were cars backed up because they couldn't get around the elephant. One car tried to make a break for it but the elephant was not happy about it. He swung around rather suddenly, threatening the car not to pass. For a second it seemed as if the elephant was going to drive his tusks through the car.

Here are just a few of my favorite pictures from this weekend!

Weekend Plans

I've been in Thailand for over two weeks now. The Land of Smiles continues to draw me in. Thursday I had some of the best street food and Pad Thai yet. I also ran from my dorm a couple miles to a beautiful park at dusk. The park is home to the Walking Buddha which is a statue of Buddha in stride, a rare position for him.

This weekend the plans were to go to Khao Yai National Park with 40 international students to go hiking, swim at a waterfall, visit caves, and potentially see wild elephants and other animals. However, there is a flood warning for the Bangkok area and it was suggested that we reschedule, so we're going this coming weekend instead. This past weekend instead turned into a relaxing one which is welcomed after the nonstop two weeks that I feel like I've had. I experienced Bangkok's nightlife and visited the JJ market which is the largest market I've ever been to. This market is never-ending. I've now spent hours there and probably have not even seen half of the market. It can be overwhelming, but it's also one of my favorite things in Thailand. It's home to everything from clothes and food, to house ware and pets. I now want to come back to Thailand to buy things to decorate my house with.

I also went to Wat Arun which is a huge temple. It closed yesterday for 3 years as they renovate it. I am so glad that I got to see this beautiful temple. The stairs to climb to the top are so steep. I didn't have much trouble climbing up, but when I was ready to come down I felt shaky and like I was going to pass out. I clung to the railing and took it super slow!

This past week was my first week of classes. Going back to school is strange after having been on summer break for 4 and a half months. Stranger than that though, is having to wear a uniform. I am excited for this semester because I'm taking some interesting courses. Gender Roles in the Modern World, Moral and Ethical Studies, Introduction to Thai Language and Culture, and Fundamental Chemistry. My classes start every day at noon and finish at 3:50 Monday through Thursday. It's an excellent schedule and it doesn't seem like I'll have much homework. My school has a cafeteria and all the meals are 30 or 35 baht which is about $1. Thai portions are smaller, but it's still inexpensive. There are also delicious smoothie, fruit, baked goods, and tea.

Public transportation continues to be a struggle, but it's getting a little better. Taxis are just so convenient and inexpensive that I am less motivated to figure out the bus routes. I can, however, get to school and back, to Bangkok's Victory Monument, and to the Northern Bus Terminal by bus. It takes longer on a bus and often they don't have enough seats for everyone though. If there are enough people to fill up a cab then it's worth it because it's faster and still inexpensive. The farthest bus trip costs 20 baht which is less than $1. A cab trip into Bangkok is usually between 200 and 300 baht which is between 30 minutes and an hour depending on traffic. 300 baht is equivalent to $10. Crazy cheap!

When it's raining or if it's rush hour, taxis can be difficult to catch. Two nights ago at the market it was dark outside and raining. It took our group of 9 people nearly an hour to catch a cab that would turn the meter on and take us back home, which was about a 45 minute trip. When cabs don't turn the meter on they charge a flat rate which is always more than it should be.

No day is complete without a trip to 7-11. There aren't very many gas stations in Thailand but there are so many 7-11s. They are often be right across the road from each other. The closest shop to the housing that I live in is a 7-11, right at the entrance to the neighborhood. It's a two minute walk and always has international students in it. Our favorite items like beer, green tea, and easy grab meat sandwiches always seem to be out of stock.

I'm spending the next couple of days planning my weekends out for the rest of the semester. Laos, Cambodia, Myramar, Chiang Mai, potentially getting dive certified, taking a nice trip to the beach, and more. There are so many things to do here and I cannot wait! Until next time.

Thailand Pictures!

Below are some of my favorite pictures of Thailand so far. 

This is the view from my porch for 3 nights in Kanchanaburi, which is about 2 hours west of Bangkok. While hotels are very inexpensive to stay in, you kind of get what you pay for. Not especially clean. Often they just have fans and no air conditioning. The bathrooms don't have a separate shower. When you shower the whole bathroom gets soaked. You can't throw toilet paper in the toilet and I get excited when the toilets have running water. 

Here are the 10 people in my program holding a sign with the GlobaLinks emblem. GlobaLinks is the program that we came abroad with. We are riding in a bhat bus which is basically a pick-up truck turned into a bus. There are two long benches but the back is completely open. 

Two of my friends and I riding on the baht bus.

We went hiking at Erawan Falls which is a seven-tiered waterfall. 

A tree that I saw during the hike at Erawan Falls. I'm not quite sure what it represents, but it has something to do with prayers.

Standing on the Bridge over the River Kwai.

The beautiful view from the Death Railway in Kanchanaburi.

Produce at the market in Kanchanaburi

Meat at the market in Kanchanaburi. Clearly Thailand's food standards are a little different from the United States'.

Riding an elephant! I am planning on going to Chiang Mai in a few weeks and spending a whole day with elephants!

Riding on a bamboo raft. This was after riding an elephant. It was nice and relaxing. 

The beautiful and powerful Kanchanaburi Cemetery. This is a piece of history that I never knew about. In the 1940s during WWII Japan took over and forced prisoners of wars and civilians to build a railway. It took the lives of over 115,000 people. This is one of three cemeteries commemorating their lives.

The floating market. I practiced my bargaining here. Thai people tend to overcharge pharongs (Westerners) because we are viewed as wealthy. I rode one of the boats which went to many more shops, and I bought delicious mango and sticky rice. I've been looking for more ever since. 

I loved visiting a Buddhist temple. While we were there the monks were taking classes. It was a beautiful temple with a nice market right outside of it. We went here after visiting the floating market and it was a nice change from all of the touristy shops. 

The First Week

I am constantly reminded of how incredible it is for me to be living halfway around the world from where I grew up. I can't believe that I have only been in Thailand for a week. I have done and learned so much. Every day things become more and more familiar and feel more like home. I have met so many other foreign exchange students in my dorms from Germany, Spain, Canada, Austria and others. I not only get the to live, study, and travel in Thailand, I get to do all of these things with people all over the world. I have made friends with mostly students in my program because we were the lucky students that were led by an amazing guide and spent a few days together before everyone else arrived in Thailand traveling and bonding.

The first few days of my trip were under the careful watch of my resident coordinator. He planned the activities, the transportation, and ordered our food. Along the way he taught us Thai words and phrases, and introduced different Thai traditions such as the wai which is a sign of greeting and respect. We rode elephants, rafted, visited the bridge over the river kwai, rode in a baht bus, hiked to a waterfall, ate a variety of delicious Thai food, visited markets including a floating market, and he entertained with stories about his time in Thailand along the way.

On Wednesday I had my first Thai massage, which is actually my first massage ever. It was awesome! The masseur was not too hard on me, which was good. It felt wonderful and it was only 200 baht for an hour which is equivalent to right under $7. I will definitely be going back. It was even in walking distance of my dorm.

Thursday I learned that buses don't stop at all the bus stops on their route. They only stop when you press a button to get off of the bus. No one on buses ever seems to speak any english or understand any of my wild hand gestures. Public transportation is rater difficult to figure out at first. It left me in a market that Westerners must never go to because all of the locals stared at us as we walked through.

This weekend I came to Koh Samet, which is one of the closest beaches to Bangkok, with 17 other international students. It took us much longer than it should have to get here because of more difficulties with public transportation, but we finally made it and are staying at a place right on the beach. A 2-person room with a fan was 500 baht so about $8 per person. It has rained pretty much the whole time we've been here but it has been a blast! New experiences in an exciting new place with tons of new friends! 

On Monday classes start! We all had a nice long weekend at the beach to celebrate our first week here and our last days of summer.

First Impressions of Thailand

The past few days have been some of the busiest, most exhausting days of my life. They have both physically and emotional drained me. It was a couple of days before it really hit me that I was in Thailand. I have yet to get a full night's sleep in since I've been here, but my time here has been fantastic.

Thailand is different from what I expected. It was overwhelming at first. It's not just the beautiful pictures on Google. It's poor. It's startlingly different from the United States. Toilets are often squatty potties. The shower in my hotel is the bathroom. Everything is dirtier. The majority of the vehicles on the road would be illegal in the US. The smells seem to be stronger, whether it's of chili pepper, exhaust fumes, or a stinky squatty potty. The language is different and the food is heavenly. It doesn't matter if it's a full meal, or simply snacks from the market. I love it all. Though one of my favorite snacks is mango and sticky rice.

The Thai language is difficult and so unfamiliar. My goal is to learn basic phrases so that I can order food, bargain in markets, give directions to taxi drivers, and ask where the bathroom is. This is a doable endeavor, I hope.

Already, I've been to markets, rode an elephants, rafted, hiked to a waterfall, learned some Thai phrases, ate so much delicious food, visited a Buddhist temple, and moved into my dorm.

Classes haven't even started yet and I have trips planned with my friends to go to the beaches, Chiang Mai, and spend the night with elephants. This semester has started with a bang and I only hope that it continues. Every day is a new journey and there are new things to explore. I am learning so much about the Thai language and culture.

I have met some wonderful people and made new friends. My goal now is to blog at least every other day, if not every day. I am beginning a routine and am no longer living out of a suitcase so I'm making sure that blogging is a part of that routine.

Now it's time for my first good night of sleep! More soon.

Less Than 48 Hours Left!

Less than 48 hours to go now and, as expected, my nerves have arrived.

Traveling is the hardest part of going abroad for me. I get anxious. I can’t sleep for nights before the trip, and I become frazzled. This trip, understandably, is the worst. I seem to have lost or misplaced too many things to count. The pair of shoes that I just bought this weekend? Left one at my home university which is an hour and half away. New make-up that I just bought this weekend? It’s nowhere to be found. I misplaced a check and thought it had gotten thrown in the trash. I have to go back into the house multiple times before I can pull out of the driveway because I left things behind. I took home my best friend’s glasses because I forgot to give them back. Irresponsible Alex is not becoming. I find myself writing lists for everything so I make sure to get it all done, and preparing myself for the next day by laying clothes out ahead of time and thinking through exactly what I have to do before I get out of bed.

At each airport layover, I will rush to get to where I’m going and if it’s within the hour that the flight leaves, I will not leave the gate. I won’t eat meals because I’m nervous. Small things will stress me out much more than they should, partially because I’m exhausted and partially because travelling is stressful. I don’t want to miss a flight and I don’t like being completely alone in a foreign place.

In order to prepare I have updated my Spotify playlist and I have packed a carry-on bag that is complete with a sweatshirt, yummy snacks, earbuds, headphones, sleep medicine, wet wipes, tissues, a notebook, pens, and a reading book. I surely hope that I have everything that I need.