The fact that I found myself in Thailand was a complete coincidence. I always liked to travel. During my studies I left for the United States. I combined pleasure and utility – I earned for studies and traveled. Shortly after graduation I went with friends on a journey that in spite of all my visions for the future, influenced the rest of my life. The plan was to get to Australia not flying by plane. I managed to reach Australia, but unfortunately the last stage of my way I made by plane. But then, on the way, for the first time my foot stepped in Thailand. Then by complete coincidence we met in Bangkok in an internet cafe a Pole and exchanged email addresses. After a few weeks of the stay in Australia I came back to Bangkok. There were the cheapest tickets, and I was returning to the country. Again, however, I met the same Pole – he worked there as an extra and offered me a job as an extra in commercials and movies. I agreed.
Thailand: the country of opportunities
The subsequent decisions to remain here were more thoughtful – I knew I wanted to stay here. Why? Because it is an interesting, nice, sunny and relatively easy place to be. In addition, financially I got along quite well. It seems to me that in Poland it would have been much more difficult. And other options opened in front of me. Thailand gave me a chance to develop on many levels – I’m an active person and interested in new things. I got to know Thai massage – I run courses in the art of massage, I published two books, I’m an English teacher at school, I also passed an exam and became a certified yoga instructor, I helped also at the embassy, where I served as an interpreter during business visits. I made additional money in tourism as well. Because I am a physiotherapist by profession, I help as a volunteer. I think, therefore, that what I have experienced and things that I have dealt with so far could be divided and shared into a few lives.
It is significant in my life in Thailand that I’m a foreigner – a white foreigner. Here we are treated a little better. No one will yell at me here when I want to get something done, I’m always welcomed with a smile and respect. In Poland, I am one of many, here one of the few. Now, of course, it is changing, because there are more and more whites coming to Thailand. Thailand is no longer a super-cheap country, once a liter of fuel really cost a zloty here. Earnings of an average Thai are at the level of average earnings of a Pole, but the cost of living is lower by half. Still a two-week stay in Thailand is cheaper than staying at the Polish seaside.
Underneath the Thai coat
Thailand is a country of enormous contrasts. For example, in public places there is no physical contact between the sexes. You will not see a husband holding or kissing his wife. On the other hand, each Thai has a mistress and doesn’t hide it too much. There is a different approach to the body and physicality here. In Poland, in the Christian culture the body is treated as sacred. In Thailand it is treated as a coat, something transitional, perhaps due to the belief in reincarnation. Erotic adventures are not considered as something shameful. You should be aware that 7% of the sex industry are destinations for tourists, the rest is for Thais. Until recently, there was polygamy in Thailand. Women, however, play a very important role in the society and are respected – after all they raise children. Besides, Thailand is no exception in the whole region. In Thailand, there is a lot of tolerance. Buddhism accepts the world in all its manifestations. The subject often raised in talks about Thailand is transsexualism. Buddhism itself underlies tolerance for diversity, where there is no myth of the creation of the world, along with a woman and a man. And thus, there is no clear division of the sexes and of what is male and female …
The Thai cuisine captures the contrast of the country: the dishes are very spicy, but also very sweet. The variety of dishes is huge. Definitely something for vegetarians, a huge amount of fruit and vegetables. In our country the food is much heavier, more caloric. The Thai cuisine is lighter, everything is prepared with fresh ingredients. The most uncommon taste is sour taste because it is associated with something not fresh, which is not that rare in the hot climate.
My impressions after landing in Bangkok: chaos and traffic jams. Everything seemed incredibly interesting and just for the asking, though. This country is not so backward as many people might think. Life is not primitive and heavy. In Thailand, it is also safe, although it may seem otherwise. Acclimatization was very simple and enjoyable. I had the feeling I was all the time on vacation, and still I worked.
Everything in Thailand is very interesting for me and even today I am enchanted by how much this country has to offer and how much I can learn here. And what the sun! The people here are really nice and good. When I started giving private English lessons to children of a factory owner, his family took to me so much that after two weeks they gave me a car so that I did not have to commute for lessons to their home by bus.
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