An Evolving Adventure

One year and almost three months ago, I landed in Thailand. Wide-eyed and buzzing with that certain electricity that can only really come from doing something that terrifies and exhilarates, I took on what has become one of the greatest experiences in my life.

Today, though slightly more narrow in the eyes, I suppose, I am happy to say that electricity is still prickling it's way through my veins, though the adventure itself has surely evolved over time.


In two weeks time, I'll be wrapping it up here in Thailand and I will be making my way... running, flailing, free-falling, back into the arms of the States.  The decision that one year in Thailand was enough has come pretty easily for me. Contrary to popular belief, it is not all sunshine and elephant rides in the Land of Smiles and -- believe it or not -- it has actually been a struggle of immense proportions at many times along the road.

Don't get me wrong.

This country (and this trip as a whole) has presented so much undeniable beauty right smack in my face, and in so many different forms, that to honestly try and describe the enrichment I've received would require an attempt at a novel (which I will spare you from, mercifully).
The low cost of living has provided me the opportunity to travel to neighboring countries on budget itineraries. The Thai culture has simultaneously encouraged me to acknowledge the brilliance in a certain value system and allowed me to cling ever-so-tightly to my own. A group of 36 third grade students taught me about perseverance, patience, and Angry Birds... and proved to me that it is absolutely possible to fall head over heels in love with kids that aren't even your own. There has been excellent food, heaps of green tea, countless adorable puppies, friendly neighbors, and of course -- beaches. There have been beaches. Which I could never discount when relaying my favorite experiences in the wild year-long journey.

So I suppose, after a year plus of what would seem like "living the Thai lifestyle," it would make sense that pretty much everyone I know has the same, basic question for me:

"WHY IN THE HELL ARE YOU LEAVING?!?"


I'm willing to address this, but to do so I feel the need to provide a few, inalienable truths:

1.  I am not --contrary to popular belief-- a millionaire here. 
Living in Thailand does not automatically make you a "wealthy individual" and yes, I still struggle quite seriously with money. For the record, I made it to Thailand on my own dime and have since spent far more time working than island hopping (rightfully so).
In short: I worked my ass off, for not a whole lot. Most of the year was six workdays a week, 7-5, and tutoring on weekends. My salary, though decent by Thai standards, came to a little over $1,000 per month. For someone putting $500 in her US bank account to pay for student loans (screw you, Sallie Mae) each month, that doesn't leave much left to work with.
I'm not griping here, believe me, but please understand that what I buy I save up for and what I can't afford, which is a lot here in Bangkok, I sit and stare at and --like the rest of the world-- wish I were rich.

2.  The "Land of Smiles" is not --contrary to popular belief-- always smiling.
Like any ex-pat experiencing the ups and downs of assimilation into a different culture, I have had my share of frustrations with the Thai way of life. I won't go in-depth here (another novel, I suppose), but suffice to say that enough of the Thai cultural oddities are so far opposite of what I desire as a Westerner (or maybe just as me) that I have mastered the art of taking a deep breath, counting to ten, and reminding myself that maybe 'American' isn't such a dirty word after all.

3. I do not --contrary to popular belief-- ride an elephant to work.
Though I highly recommend a good jaunt on an elephant, I prefer motorbike. Or walking. It's not all Eat, Pray, Love out here, people. I have no shiny bicycle with which I ride through tropical forests on my way to visit my friends in charming banana-leaf huts. Rather, I walk through the various sois of constant noise, chaos, colors, smells, and sights and the occasional homeless person urinating or defecating on the sidewalk. It's not that it's bad out here, folks. It's just... Bangkok.

4. Contrary to popular belief... "Luck" had nothing to do with it.
I hear it so often, the whole "you're so lucky" comment. As if a whole life in Thailand and a job teaching and a million magical things have just suddenly chosen me out of a hat and plopped themselves in my lap. There is no mystical drawing of names, I assure you, and if there were I would absolutely guarantee you that my name would not be called. "Luck" has absolutely nothing to do with it.
I would say I have been fortunate. I would definitely agree that I feel blessed. But luck? No. Anyone who really knows me can attest to the fact that I am maybe both one of the unluckiest people they know and one of the hardest working people they know. It is the latter that has gotten me this far, believe me. Every trip, every venture, every decision to jump with eyes closed and pray to God it somehow works out... has come from countless hours/day/months spent worrying, stressing, planning, consulting, organizing, scheming, saving up, spending it all, and then repeating the process.
It is hard work to achieve a goal, and the road to achieving mine was no smoother or less painful.


That brings us here. An incredible year that has proved both enlightening and depressing in its moments, Stunning in its simplicity and yet has almost managed to destroy me on several occasions. Beautiful, messy, chaotic, stressful, fun. (If you're thinking this kind of sounds like the year you had, you're correct. It is honestly no different, remember that.)


And so, the adventure evolves. The hard work continues as Nathan and I plan the execution of the next big trip: the trip back Home. Through strategic flight purchases and a lot of penny pinching, we have planned a swing through Europe on our way back to America, and then a full-on East-Coast-to-West-Coast haul, ending up -finally- in Seattle, WA.
The Itinerary:
        Bangkok ---> Istanbul, Turkey
          Istanbul ---> Athens, Greece
           Athens ---> Crete
              Crete ---> Rome, Italy
             Rome ---> ??
        (Here we've decided to rent a car and cruise
       around Italy, staying at various campsites for
       cheap. Florence and Arezzo are top contenders)
          ??, Italy ---> Warsaw, Poland
          Warsaw ---> NYC, USA
              NYC ---> Detroit, MI
            Detroit ---> Chicago, Illinois
          Chicago ---> Lead, South Dakota
        (Here we'll be joining my lovely cousin Amy
        and driving/camping from IL to SD with her
        adorable little boy, Evan.)
               Lead ---> Richland, WA
         Richland ---> Seattle

The trip will take five weeks in total and needless to say, the electrical exhilaration current in my veins is pumping full speed.
The adventure is evolving and so am I and I can't help but be so grateful. Especially to you for reading, thus being a part of this crazy, humbling thing I call life. Thank you.


"Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me,
            as is ever so on the road."
        - Jack Kerouac, On the Road