Firstly, as much as we complain about public transport, health, streets, and more, we really have it amazingly good. We don't have to hang off the back of packed vehicles to travel around, we don't have to beg on the streets if we have an unfortunate illness, we don't have sewerage seeping through our streets, we don't have to use our life savings to buy a car instead of a house, we don't live in a one bedroom unit with a huge family, we don't have to work 12 hrs a day 7 days a week to afford to rent that 1 bedroom unit.
So many random street shops trying to make a buck (or a baht)
making rice on the street
Crazy electricity!
Secondly, happiness was everywhere in Thailand. The people are aware that their circumstances are... well... crap... but are still extremely caring, friendly and genuine. They put the needs of others before themselves. I have never met a more friendly people! Of course there is your occasional moody person, but in general they were authentically friendly.
Even Ronald was happier
Everyone greeted us in this manner
Rules Rules Rules, our society is riddled with them! then again it keeps Ben in the job :P Sure there are rules in Thailand, but not many people follow them! No indicators, no baby car seats, no speed limits etc. You would think that this would lead to the place being crazily unsafe and having soooo many accidents. But you would be wrong! We always say that we are near Sydney when people start driving crazy. Its true! We are in such a self-centred environment that we do risk the lives of others for a 2 minute head start. Over there, they expect that people will need to cut in, people will go faster etc and so they expect it to be crazy, and they therefore drive more carefully and more aware. I would drive in a taxi in Thailand with no car seat for Sophie over a taxi in Sydney with a car seat! Its so refreshing!
Traveling on a modern Tuk Tuk
We live in such a regimented and materialistic society, and we think that the more safeguards and luxuries we have the happier our lives will be. If only we owned our own home - that is not an option EVER for most Thais. If only I had a better car - it takes a lifetime of wages to get a basic Toyota, so most people have motorbikes. I need new fashionable clothes - they battle 40+ degrees heat and 90% humidity to sell clothes to tourists on the beach so they might afford some for their own family. I need a pay rise - they earn about $6 a day, and will therefore never be able to change their circumstances.
Making food on a boat!
Upon returning, I noticed that nobody smiles, greets or even acknowledges your existence in our country. Even if you know a person, they may turn and pretend they did not see you. We stress about everything so much that we are highly strung. We focus on our own needs before others and thus cause risk to others for our own benefit. Whilst our social structures are fantastic, we are missing the basic niceties of humanity. We can learn so much off those who have nothing to give except an attitude to life.
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