Culture shock! If you missed it, I documented my experience in Thailand over the course of 5 days traveling through Bangkok. This was my first time traveling that far over seas. It was an experience from the plane ride, to the streets, to the people, to the culture. I learned about the food in a cooking class, the history from the tours, and the means of transportation that are completely different than my home town Houston.
I now understand the Asian culture better in every aspect. This post is not meant to offended…it is to educate. See, in Houston we are a melting pot. So many different races mixed in to this city. Everyone who was born and raised has seen it grow, and grow, and grow with millions of people and miles and miles of highways. I am proud to live in such a diverse city, but with a big city comes little knowledge about who we all are that make up this amazing town. Asian’s are their own set of race I feel are the most misunderstood. Behind the Americanized race here in Texas there lies a traditional culture that is purely passed down through generations. I had the opportunity to dive into this eye-opening culture first hand in Bangkok. A city that has Texas beat when it comes to the saying, “Everything is bigger in Texas.” Wrong.
Walking through the airport at 11:55pm in Bangkok was like any other airport keeping in mind I was half asleep still. I walk outside and meet up with Hannah who is a long time friend that temporarily lives there. Now, in a foreign country I know the communication is always a bit broken so I was packed with patience. I sit down in the cab to find the driver is on the passenger side. It hit me, I am in a different country. Communicating how to get back to the hotel was a bit challenging, nothing I can’t handle. No more than 5 minutes leaving the airport we are on a busy highway when the driver decides to pull over, yes pull over on the highway with NO shoulder. OH S***! He had no idea where he was headed and I started freaking out saying “DRIVE, DRIVE, DRIVE” when I look back and see cars coming at my face 60 miles and hour. I believe at this point we are all frustrated and the scariest part was no one uses blinkers. Ok, everyone in Houston says Asians cannot drive. So, my experience over there within 10 minutes of landed proves this to be true in my American culture. Our driver was veering into other lanes and I was legit nervous for my life. We finally made it into the city (like any other’s city downtown area) and this is where the driving skills were tested. Bumper to bumper, motorbikes riding between the lines so close I could reach my hand outside the window and touch their skin. Same with cars. However, there were no accidents. They knew exactly how to maneuver with the car or bike next to them. Not kidding when I say I could straddle and ride in two cars at the same time we were so close. New York folks, nothing compares to your drivers or traffic. I learned it is not that Asian’s cannot drive, it is just how they grew up driving. Coming to a different country where it is a bit more organized and we have more strict laws tests driving skills of anyone who grew up outside the United States. So have more patience people!
Food. Oh my goodness! The best cuisine I have ever tasted. Packed with flavor, fresh ingredients, small bites that justify using chopsticks. I never understood how you can eat with just chopsticks if you have a piece of meat in front of you. Everything is chopped into bit sized chunks unlike America where we use knives on our over-sized pieces of meat. I call it portion control in Thailand. It was a moment of realization, the way everything is cooked makes sense HOW you can use chopsticks to eat when everything is already cut. The cooking class I took was filled with knowledge about the different ingredients, some I have never heard of and will be paying a visit to the local Asian markets to find these yummy flavors. Each meal was a one pot plan. You dump everything in the pan and it all takes 1 minute to cook. Everyone’s goal! Everything was spicy which you can control but growing up in a place where you are feed with spicy as an infant probably lies the foundation for your pallet. They are use to it and I have respect for the people who can enjoy spicy food without sweating intensely! I tried to keep up during the class but my brows were giving away the level of spice I could handle. As an American, I thought I knew spicy food because the Mexican food I grew up eating. Jalapeno’s do not compare to the peppers over there. Me and Hannah were dying laughing after class walking back to the train. It was blazing hot and the food kicked in. We were un-apologetically laughing to tears as sweat pours from our head to our toes. I felt like everyone was staring at me at this point from walking in the heat to cramming myself on a packed train. One on top of the other like packed sardine’s in a can. It was the best experience I had in a long time. I’ll be posting my pad Thai recipe so keep on the look out!
History! Their history taught me a lot about their traditions. Very respectful towards elders, respect for their justice system, and honoring those who pass. There are tiny house in random areas in the city. They are prayer houses. Beautiful sparkle traditional houses that people pray and honor for those who have passed. The biggest one I saw was at the palace tourist spot. It is where the King and Queen use to live. It was breath taking the amount of architecture, symbolism, and detail. Words do not justify the beauty and grand statues on the grounds. If you go, do not wear tight yoga pants. I had to buy a skirt to cover my lower half up and you must wear a shirt that covers your shoulders, I guess it is inappropriate to wear”exposing” attire in a house of prayer! In my defense, I was unaware of the meaning in this spot. Me and two-hundred other people! It is their culture and I respect that, I wish I knew before I packed. All in all, this culture rich in tradition and honor which connected some dots for me.
So, I was the creep-o in the country because in Houston you acknowledge people when they pass you, yes? Well, the best part was no one stares at you. Everyone is to themselves and does not look at you walking down the street, asks you questions, or stops you. If they do is the people who are up to no good. Unlike America, everyone stares and wants to build up a conversation. The only people that stared at me on the street were not Asian! Overall, people are sweet over there and very patient. I was surprised how developed the city was and how much English everyone knew. I did not expect that all.
Lastly, guys. I had to laugh at this. Watching the comedian Amy Woo she discusses Asian women and their white boyfriends or husband’s. It makes TOTAL sense! Here in the states some old school women use umbrellas when it is hot outside to protect and shield their skin from the UV rays and it provides shade. Not in Thailand, women are always covered (which I still believe it is to pray in appropriate attire on every street corner, too). It is one-hundred degrees and you are in pants and long sleeves? The saying over there is “the lighter the richer.” Meaning the lighter skinned you are the wealthier you are. Darker skin people are considered poor so everyone stays as light as they can with sleeves and umbrellas. So the secret is out! I saw a ton of Asian women with white males over and I completely understand now. Even on 90-day finance you will see women born outside the United States seeking white males. I do not watch that show, when I am home my mother sucks me into it! Again, this post is not to disrespect or say everyone is the same, it is learning how a culture perceives other’s.
I could go on and on, but this highlights my short experience and my best memories. It wasn’t about what tours or places I went. It was more about learning people are people. Where you grow up will define what your culture is why we all are the way we are. It was so amazing to see the other live on a day-by-day basis. The transportation, food, and tradition! Thank you Thailand for sharing your space! Check out pic’s below!
These are the monkey warriors, the King’s protectors. You and distinguish the warriors by the masks they wear over their face. This statue is so beautiful I wanted to make the photo a little bigger so you can see all the detail. It just shines in your face. Look closely and you can see the green shine through the gold on the left. No way could I spend just a second to glance. Something you would have to see in person to really take in all of the beauty.
