By It is my last day to have Thailand at my window in the morning and evening, to buy fried rice and veggies on the side of the street, and to witness the stunning Buddhist architecture and lifestyle which make up this rich culture. I feel a sense of satisfaction and peace about this trip, but I anticipate a delayed reaction once I land back in Canada. I think the shock of being back to familiarity will be harder to get used to than a new culture altogether. I have already began my reflective process, as I have been soaking up every last bit of this incredible two month experience.
I loved the city of Chiang Mai, but more than the chaos and excitement of the city, I loved my little house in a village outside of town. For two weeks I lived an hour away from the city, up the winding mountain, past the monkey, snake, and elephant camps, and on a small river overlooking mist, sky, and mountain. My Thai family (Ma, Pa, Kip, and Koy) grew, gathered, and packaged vegetables beside the house to sell to Bangkok every morning. This family poured so much energy in to making sure we were comfortable and welcome in their home.
I didn’t realize how exhausting communication was until I began living with my last home-stay family. The motivation within myself to put forth enough energy and enthusiasm to communicate was draining enough, on top of the issues of using hand gestures and broken Thai to explain simple concepts. I did all I could though, to ensure that our family recognized my gratitude for everything they did for us over those two weeks. I miss the Thai jungle and my experience in Chiang Mai.
There is something very poetic and romantic about Thailand’s culture and the Buddhist faith. I was at the back stairs of Chiang Mai University’s building one day between classes, looking at the gathering of endless trees surrounded by bright flowers on a canvas of mountains, and began to connect this sight with some of the principles of Buddhism which values simplicity, beauty and truth. However, I couldn’t understand this landscape with the ideas of human independence and importance. Beauty, simplicity, and truth are not man made, and human capacity could certainly not create the scenery I have seen, from the jungles of Thailand to the prairie plains of Canada.
I don’t know if I can pinpoint drastic and noticeable changes within myself from the first day in the Philippines to the last day here in Bangkok, but I know that my heart and mindset will continue to be molded and transformed by the experiences I have had during these two months in Southeast Asia.