Being surrounded by other languages, constantly, and being confused as to which language to say hello in… Sawasdeeka? Wandanalu? Hola? (Ok so we aren’t in Spanish speaking countries but I just like to mix it up with Hola).
Communicating with a cross between charades and your own version of sign language… sometimes you get pain meds when you hurt your back… other times you get taken to a sketchy looking mall when you ask to be taken to ride elephants (true story)
Throwing toilet paper in the garbage can instead of the toilet (I’m pretty sure that paper flushing toilets were just a figment of my imagination, they don’t really exist do they?)
Being asked by others and asking others to sniff you and see if you smell. This usually involves someone sticking their nose in the other person’s armpit… in public… yea we’re not so sure what is socially acceptable anymore…
Going outside to use the bathroom or the sink to wash up… this usually requires making sure not to drink anything after a certain time so you don’t have to brave the night to get to the bathroom… waaaay more planning than I’d like, but then again I’m not sure I want to see what roams around the jungle at night…
Having to do math every time you buy something… 100 baht?? WHAT?? Oh wait… hold on… carry the one… Oh it’s only $3… whew….
Sitting in a traffic jam caused by a herd of sheep moving through town… the upside of animals on the road with you? Inventing new games for tuk tuk rides! Slap a buffalo = 1 point, slap a baby Buffalo = 2 points, slap a person in another tuk tuk = 3 points!
Traffic jam in India
Using a bucket to shower and having only one water setting – cold… this helps if you’re in the jungle and constantly sweating, although it means that when you have access to hot water you might take 45mins showers, this can be a slight inconvenience when 30 other girls also need to shower….
Taking and asking your teammates to take really cool pictures of you with the sole purpose of getting a new fb profile picture… Nevermind, that is normal… well I guess some things never change…
– Jess
