The mister had previously taken a solo journey to Thailand and ever since then, wanted to take me to see Bangkok. He was convinced that I would be amazed by the food, amazed by the hospitality and amazed by the shopping (I’m a girl, shopping is a major selling point). He also told me it would be hot, a hot like I’ve never felt before.
My family and friends have grown accustomed to our travels. For the most part, they’re elated when we say we’re going to what Americans perceive to be a developed country. When I told my family that we were going to Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, there was a silent gasp. Ears pricked up and the air got heavy. I knew this feeling, it was a feeling of “are you sure?”
Then the barrage of questions started. These questions aren’t exclusive to my loved ones. I know there are others out there who feel the same way and have the same questions. In round robin style, they asked:
“Where will you stay in Thailand?”
In a hostel in Bangkok.
“A hostel?!? [snickers] But why?”
I’ll admit after I watched Hostel, the movie about young American tourists getting killed by rich Americans with disgusting fetishes in Eastern Europe, I was all: “ohmigodIwillneverstayinahostel!” (just like that, in one word, waving my arms in the air). But, the hostels the mister and I have stayed at in Vietnam and Thailand were amazing, like mini four-star hotels. We have our own room, an ensuite bathroom, an HDTV and free wifi. One of our hostels even came with free breakfast and dinner. We met friends from all around the world and it was fun and relaxing.
“Did you get the malaria pill?”
The other day, I was standing in line at a grocery store in Los Angeles and a dude sneezed on my face. SNEEZED ON MY FACE! I’m more afraid of what that guy may be carrying than getting malaria in Thailand.
If I had a nickel for every time I heard this question while traveling abroad; as if traveling to a humid country automatically means mosquito bite death. Mosquitos of every country carry a disease, not just the mosquitos roaming around Thailand. It is perfectly fine to take precautions before heading abroad, but not if it is in the name of: “I need to stay protected from these third-worldy diseases.”
It’s true, I would absolutely hate to get epic diarrhea from a mosquito. But, we’re in Bangkok, so malaria is not much of a problem there.
“But Thailand is a third world country. Aren’t there a lot of diseases?”
We did get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B, since the diseases run rampant in Asia. We also got the typhoid vaccine because our doctor vehemently insisted upon it. I’m all for the Hepatitis A and B series because that’s something that should have been a requirement for infants when polio and smallpox were cured.
I’m a teacher, I work more than full-time, I give back to society, but I still don’t have health insurance. As a college-educated American citizen at the tender age of 27, healthcare―or, the right to a healthy standard of living―should be easily accessible and a basic right. The only option was searching for travel immunization doctors and paying a nominal fee of $54 to $75 per vaccine series. The reality is that I should be able to walk into any hospital and get the vaccinations for free or a small fee. Thais, however, have universal healthcare. They probably have no roadblocks to getting immunizations. So, no, I don’t think Thailand is a third world country.
“Oh, Thailand is so cheap. Wow, American money must go far there.”
Thailand is less expensive…for food. Every time I go to the market, I end up spending what I would consider an outrageous amount of money on groceries, even though I am one badass penny-pincher. Rewards cards are a complete joke because I should be saving on those discounted items regardless of a membership to some stupid club. Food is a basic necessity for life; it shouldn’t cost your first born child just to feed a family. So, yes, Thailand is “cheap,” for the things that matter in life. And, yes, I guess US currency does stretch in Thailand, because it most certainly doesn’t seem to stretch where it gets used the most: in the US.
“Are the people nice?”
No, they’re assholes…
Of course, they’re “nice.” Most people in the world are “nice,” even if it’s not a “nice” we’re accustomed to. Even Germans have been known to be a very comforting people.
“Is it dirty in Thailand?”
Nope. Unless you go to Khaosan Road. Then it’s VERY dirty. But, not because Thais make it dirty.
The enquiry session ended with that last question. Having satiated their desire for reasons to embark to Thailand, my family gave me the boot (literally) and sent me on my way. More importantly, our visit to Thailand cleared up my perceptions of the country. People really are genuinely hospitable. Food really is delicious. Shopping really is overwhelming. People, like teachers, really are respected in Thailand (that makes me feel good), and Thailand is amazing.
P.S: We found some Ben n’ Jerry’s Schweddy Balls ice cream….balls still schweddy…
Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand
The schweddy road to our next adventure is via email! Go Nuts!
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