Things I Learned While in Southeast Asia

I have been home for a couple weeks now, and I've finally adjusted to life at home again. I no longer constantly wonder if mosquitoes are biting me. My jet lag is gone and I can drive without my brain getting too confused. There are some funny things that I still do. I feel pretty awkward if I don't take my shoes off before entering someone's house, but I leave them on anyway. I often wai people when I thank them. Sometimes when someone says something amazing, I naturally want to reply with jing lo? (which means "really??") but I keep having to stop myself and remember that I'm speaking English. Also, I am usually FREEZING cold in my own house. Why do we people in the western world need to keep our houses so air-conditioned all the time?


When you spend time on the other side of the world, you inevitably learn a lot. This is a wrap-up post to my grand adventure, but more blogging is sure to come when I continue my travels in future years. I would like to thank everyone who supported me in this, looked at the numerous photos I posted, and read the stories I wrote. I would like to share with you many of the lessons I learned while I was abroad. Some of them are small and some big, and a few seem to have nothing to do with Thailand whatsoever. But they are all connected and have become a part of who I am.

Things I've learned:

All people everywhere are human. We may look different, believe different things, think about things differently, and laugh about different things. But we are all human and that's something we all have in common.

Everywhere you go, there are kind people who will love you.

"Pasty white" skin is just as beautiful as dark, tan skin. It's all just a business ploy so companies can get you to buy their products. In many countries, people want to be whiter. Many people wish their skin was as white as yours. Those people don't realize how beautiful they already are. All skin colors are beautiful in someone's eyes. Just accept how you are.

In Thailand

In the USA

We don't need air conditioning all the time in every room of the house. It is bad for the environment. A lot of the time, fans do the trick.

Almost everyone likes to dance and celebrate, it's just that the style and music is different.

Sometimes, mosquitoes will bite you no matter how much DEET you spray or rub on yourself. It's a fact of life.

However, when you do get bitten, there's this AMAZING stuff made from eucalyptus that gives you relief within seconds of putting it on. No joke.

This stuff was pretty much my best friend when I was over there.

People don't need a ton of money to be happy. Family is what matters.

You don't always need to correct people or tell them what they're doing wrong in front of other people. It's just not worth making them "lose face" over it.

You don't need to be direct all the time. Sometimes it's more polite to hint at something to get what you want.

Many people are afraid of trying to speak English. Just show them how bad you are at their language and they will laugh and feel less nervous. We're all here to help each other.

Sometimes when you're traveling the world, you're going to be physically uncomfortable. Just accept it.

Insects are, for the most part, harmless. If ants come, don't worry. They'll usually leave. They're just cleaning up after you.

In order to find out the answer to a difficult question in life or a difficult situation, sometimes all you need is to get away from everything and just meditate. Mindfulness is key. Detach yourself from your thoughts and feelings and just observe them. They're just thoughts, they're not you. Rationally ask yourself why you feel and think those things, and you'll come to some realizations and be able to change your actions and reactions.

Things don't always have to make sense. Just roll with it.

When you make a big mistake, you can apologize to those whom you've hurt, and then pick yourself up again. It's okay.

An extremely important skill to develop in life is the ability to say "no."

Death is a part of life. It happens at the most unexpected time, but to fear it is pointless because it will happen at some point. It is the natural state of things that people, animals, and plants leave, and their souls go on to the next step in existence.

It's not a huge deal if dogs leave their yard and wander around the neighborhood. They'll come home. Same with cows and chickens.

Don't climb Buddha statues or point your feet toward them. That is disrespectful.

Dogs, unless they're sick or crazy, can be very calm animals. Locking them up and giving them a sense of "territory" to defend is what makes them crazy. If you live in a society where dogs run freely, they will more likely coexist with you peacefully.

 

Animal life is sacred and should be respected, protected, and not taken for granted.

People can be very passionate about their religions, traditions, and cultures. These things are very important to them and if they change, it should be their own decision to do so.

If you realize that God is in your heart, He will never leave you regardless of where you are on the planet or what you have done.

Think before you do something stupid.

When you wai people, you connect with them in a very special way that a simple "hello" cannot reach.

You don't need to stay in a nice hotel. You can stay in a cheap room in a guest house and save yourself money.

Firm, hard mattresses are actually quite nice to sleep on.

Brush your teeth with the tap water no matter what color it is when it comes out. That will help immunize you.

Everyone just wants to live a happy life.

People will be thrilled if you try to learn their language. They LOVE it, no matter how bad you are at it.

Don't be afraid to get a Thai massage from a ladyboy. It just might end up being the best massage you've ever had. True story.

If you find a cockroach running around in your room, just forget it. It's not worth trying to catch, and it's not hurting you. It will leave soon enough.

There are countless people out in the world right this second, walking around with nothing but the clothes they're wearing and stuffed backpacks strapped to their backs. They all travel for different reasons, but most of them share one thing--they've got the travel bug. It's like a disease, but it's more than that. It's a way of life. These people are everywhere and they are some of the kindest, most accepting people you will ever meet. When you're at home, you don't see these people much, but when you're traveling, you realize how many of them there are.

When you travel with an open mind, you leave a piece of your heart on every road that you have walked, and you take other memories with you. Traveling can shape your worldview and educate you in ways that a classroom cannot. It turns you into a more internationally-minded person, and can help you consider how the choices you make at home, the products you buy, the ballots you cast, and the organizations you support can directly affect people in other countries. If you ever get the chance to go on a journey, even a small one, take advantage of it. You will not regret your decision. And if you don't get the chance to take such a big leap, try something small. Try something new every day. Cook a new international dish. Study a new language. Connect with friends around the world. Hang out with someone new. Any of these things will enrich your life.

Something to ponder on, which I learned from a monk while on a meditation retreat:

"May all living beings be happy and secure."

Peace to you.