I love you, Thailand for letting me experience your beauty and culture for one month! Here are the interesting things you showed me this month.
1. You can in fact make eye contact with monks. You can even be their friend on facebook. Why not?
2. Spirit houses are everywhere and aren't actually Buddhist.
3. Same Same but different means a lot more than you think.
4. The trash cans for dirty toilet paper are always way too small. What a terrible idea for the person who has to change the bag of overflowing nasty toilet paper.
5. Thai people don't actually wear Thai pants. The tourists do.
6. Forget about fancy shoes when in Thailand. Wear flip flops. You won't be wearing them half the time anyway.
7. I think I now get why this land is called the Land of Smiles. It is to "save face". A lesson that was very painful to learn. Ask me and I'll tell you why some day.
8. It is so easy to offend in Thailand. And I've done it, probably more than I realize. And I also know how to apologize the Thai way. Buy flowers and some herbs to mix in water to splash on yourself and beg for forgiveness. Cry if necessary. I've done all of this, twice.
9. I don't know which I've seen more, lady boys or monks.
10. I can be a monk if I want to, but it'll cost me my hair. There are thousands of temples for monks, but only 2 in Thailand for women.
11. When you say thank you, " kob kun kaa." say it, " kob kun kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" to really give the best thanks. You'll make your Thai very happy.
12. If you bow, you might get a better deal on a songteau. When in Thailand!
13. Don't touch anyone on the head. I know it seems like something you'd never do, but you'd be surprised how often we do this. So just don't. It's offensive.
14. Be careful with your feet. They offend too. I'm still trying to get this one.
15. I'm saying this again. When in doubt, save face. Means to just smile! If you are feeling tension in the air, smile anyway. Don't lose it, ever!
16. Buy anything with carnation milk and bananas. You won't regret it.
17. You will see a lot of child performers on the streets. You will also see many older foreigners with young Thai women. You will have lots of questions. I've asked a lot of questions. No one gives me good answers. I don't have the answers.
Being from America, this has been the most unique culture I've ever experienced. It has reminded me to be humble about my differences of perspective and to daily learn how to love you, Thailand.
