#thailand problems

[ibkiper]

The perfect image of me at my current state of being.  

[ibkiper]

Before: Hearing people talking, laughing, and me waiting for a translation.

Now: Hearing people talking, laughing, and laughing along (kinda).

[ibkiper]

I’ve come to the point where the water in the shower isn’t cold enough. 

[ibkiper]

Something super awesome happened today.

I actually had a meal with someone. 

I know... I know... it doesn’t seem like much. But lately, I’ve been having to eat by myself--which I haven’t ever done before. At first, it was really hard. I’m used to meals being the time to talk and fellowship with others. I’ve always grown up that way. All the most interesting things to talk about is during a meal or super late at night. I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned how important meals are to me awhile ago.

So having to eat by myself has been very lonely.

I’m also terrified of crossing the street by myself, but I have to cross the street in order to get food. 

Last night, my go-to restaurant was closed. But I had already crossed the street, so I didn’t know what to do. I decided to try the neighboring restaurant. Good choice! It was really good! I had marinated chicken, a salad, and even french fries... all for one dollar! 

So today, I decided I’ll go see if my go-to is open today for lunch. It wasn’t. But the new restaurant was. I admit, I was startled at first because the place was filled with Buddhist monks, and I felt really out of place (being the only foreigner, a girl, and a missionary). They told me to take a seat, so I did. They were finishing up, and left me in the restaurant all by myself.

I had ordered my food and was playing on my phone. Two young Thai men had walked in and sat down. After awhile, I heard, 

“Excuse me.” I looked up. It was one of the young guys. He pointed to a man smoking behind me. “We are switching tables because of the smoke. Do you want to sit with us?” 

I saw his friend already sitting at a table next to a fan that was blowing the smoke away. I looked at a small empty table also next to a fan where I could relocate to alone. I hesitated and finally decided. 

“Sure! Okay!” I picked up my drink and moved to their new table. Their English names were Chris and Paul. 

Apparently, they’ve both been friends since elementary school--even going to the same college. Paul barely spoke to me. Chris told me that he had spent 14 months in Tampa working at Busch Gardens. I nearly spit out my food at the sound of my home state. Oh and get this, they thought I was Vietnamese (I’m not asian!). 

As a thanks, I sneakily paid for their food and left before they did, thanking them for their kindness. 

It was so awesome and refreshing talking to these guys. But even more so, just eating with someone. 

And crossing the street to return home was the least scary its ever been. :)

[ibkiper]

I was taken to a Burger King here in Thailand by my grandboss. Mind you, I cannot remember the last time I’ve been inside a Burger King. It was like having a new experience.

“Whoa! This place is fancier than what I imagined.”

“Okay, I’ll have the... Whopper? ...What’s inside a Whopper?”

“Wait--this thing is for ketchup?”

“I expected less potato in these fries.”

The people who took me were laughing at my utter amazement of this fast food joint. They took me there so I could feel a little bit at home. If you want me to feel at home take me to a place that sells tacos.

[ibkiper]

You know you are comfortable on a motorcycle when you start french braiding your hair on the road without a second thought.

[ibkiper]

When it’s been so smokey outside that you... ...have forgotten what the Sun looks like. ...see someone washing their car one day, and it being covered in dust, dirt, or ash the next morning. ...can’t see shadows on the ground anymore. ...are looked at strangely because you have dared embark outside without a mask. ...looked at a shiny thing in the sky and have wondered if it was the Sun, the moon, or a billboard. 

[ibkiper]

Tiny victory: My friends took me to a library (FINALLY), and I saw a Harry Potter book on the table. Of course, it was in Thai. I opened it up and started reading aloud. Not only were my friends impressed that I could read a script that looks and behaves like the New York subway system, I actually understood what I was reading! (It was Remus teaching Neville how to do the Riddikulus spell)