The I'm-here-but-far-away fog is unsettling. It first began in southern California in unexpected ways. Kindness communicated in the form of direct eye contact and a strong smile rattled me. The combination was too bold. An afternoon barbeque filled with guests; one woman, bare shouldered, speaking, shouting, swearing, dominating, another in a bikini top and short shorts. People asking me innocent questions about my life in Thailand. I froze before I could respond. What is acceptable? What isn't? Why does it even matter? Currently, the Canadian city I spent, I believe approximately the first twenty-four years of my life in feels more alien to … [Read more...]
TRAVEL MEMOIR - LAURA DAL FARRA
You've found my nomadic journals and muay thai training memoirs. My style of living the nomadic life is one of fully living in the present, while investing, not grasping for the future. My mode of travel is one that focuses on quality experiences rather than travel materialism where the quantity of destinations override the experience. I also like to get silly sometimes.
Blackmail And The Illusion Of Sex
The cold water hit my spine and slid down my back. I was in the women's change room of the community pool in Buriram, alone. It was approximately noon. I had finished my laps and was preparing to go pick up some lunch. There was a knock on my shower door. This was unusual. I asked who it was. It was one of the pubescent boys I had met in the pool. The conversation as I remember it: "I'm showering. I'll see you when I'm done." "I want to shower too." This confused me. "I'll see you when I'm done." "I want to shower with you. Can I shower with you?" The fact this individual was … [Read more...]
From Bangkok To LA To Detroit To Windsor
This was my original brain blast show up in my head and write it quick post that popped brilliant when I decided it was time to jet West: I know it's a country/city comparison, but who cares. I'm speaking in terms of where I am and where I'm going to be, population size is but a detail: Thailand - You can be close friends with someone for years before you find out they have two kids. Detroit - The guy standing behind you in line at White Castle will tell you about is ex-wife's nipple piercings. Windsor, Ontario, Canada, my final destination is a more subtle version of the latter. I'm looking forward to dipping in for awhile. Post … [Read more...]
The Drone- Sexual Predatory Behaviour In Thailand
It's difficult to convey a nameless feeling that encroaches with time, one that shadows the furthering of one's understanding of their place in a culture alien to the one they left behind. This difficulty is deeply accentuated when little is written on the subject and the subject itself is taboo to approach. For those of you who read MBSB regularly, you are keenly aware that for months now, I've been discussing my experiences as a Foreign woman in Thailand with tenacity. Today will be no different. Today's entry is a direct result of my post, Visa Runs In Thailand And Why I Now Fear Them. However, the stories presented on this day have no summary, no effort … [Read more...]
Officers – My Experiences With Thai Police As A Solo Female Traveler
Please note, for the sake of the privacy of all people involved and my own personal safety, I have omitted names and cities and will not respond to any emails inquiring about either. My dealings with the police in Thailand have been as varied and seemingly random as most other things here, which lends both to the country's beauty and its instability. The Thailand I know is not as systematic as Western countries I'm familiar with and the accountability of one's actions is often overlooked. This is dependent on, but not limited to, one's connections, social standing (which is often dictated at birth), wealth and the Thai convention of not approaching things directly. … [Read more...]
Visa Runs In Thailand And Why I Now Fear Them
The stress, frustration and rage that I felt this passing week in regards to my upcoming visa run to the Cambodian border exasperates me. I'm confused by my response to it. I judge my inability to be impartial to it. I wonder if living in Thailand has made me stronger or it has broken me. I will not leave this country the same as when I arrived. To be brief, visa runs essentially fall on the dates Thai immigration deems you must leave the country. You are allowed back into Thailand on the same day without having to obtain a new visa. For example, I was given a triple entry tourist visa after not being able to extend the business visa I was allowed for … [Read more...]
A Taste Of Cookie: How I Overdosed In A Filipino Hospital
Written on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 This happened yesterday. The effects of my sickness have yet to wear off. Even the rhythm of the sea's waves as it reaches my ears causes nausea. I'm writing you from Urbiztondo Beach, San Juan, La Union, The Philippines. At this approximate time of 5:00 pm yesterday I was vomiting in a San Fernando hospital, less than a twenty minute drive away wondering if I had been poisoned. The day began with a late morning surf at the area known as Cement Factory which is a twenty-five minute drive in the opposite direction on the same stretch of highway leading to San Fernando. … [Read more...]
Culture Shocked: Weird Moments Adapting From Thailand To The Philippines
From Thailand to The Philippines...culture shock? Not what I expected but here's what I scribbled in my notebook as my mind unraveled my first week in. What Threw Me 1. Being Literate Billboards, storefronts, ingredients on packaging, t-shirts and receipts are among the beautiful expressions of one's surroundings that ceased being objects with interesting long-tailed symbols and blossomed into direct communicative transmissions. 2. Being Touched My experience of Thai culture has been one where the parameters of one's personal space with non relatives in the public sphere are very defined. For example, I recall watching a … [Read more...]
Notes From The Road: Bangkok
Transcript Hello! The last day of my travel adventure fun lands in Bangkok. I'll stay nineteen hours in total til I leave for Buriram. It's 9:53 pm and I'm enjoying the luxury of my hotel room: a kitchen (I'm not going ot use it, but who cares), soft lighting and a couch/loveseat. Three and a half years in Thailand (total) and I don't remember staying anywhere with a kitchen and/or couch (Correction. My friend's old apartment in BKK...twice? Three times?). I've been living mostly as the Thais (or rather, many Thais) do, I cook and eat on my floor (rice cooker and sukiyaki hook up) and for the first two plus years I … [Read more...]
Notes From The Road: The Duenshine Resort, Kanchanaburi
Transcript Hello! Hello! Three days at the Duenshine Resort in Kanchanaburi. Very secluded and mostly empty. I love this aspect. Partying is cool, but I find for the most part, partying bores me, it has become cliche. Not partying in itself, just more the form partying seems to take more often than not despite which city or country I'm in. Too repetitive. Little depth. The last three days were spent lazing about. A lot of time exploring the grounds, tapping into the rhythms of the place and introspection. I needed the break. I can feel change brewing inside of me, although at this point in time, I have … [Read more...]
Notes From The Road: From Tak To Nakhon Sawan To Suphanburi To Kanchanaburi
Transcript January 3, 2012 Leaving Tak towards Kanchanaburi was a little more complicated than anticipated. On the morning of our departure (yesterday), we were told we would have to stop in Suphanburi to transfer. This meant Tak - Nakhon Sawan - Suphanburi - Kanchanaburi. We hit the bus station in Tak before 9:30 am and was told in Suphanburi at 7:00 pm that all buses to Kanchanaburi had stopped at 5:00 pm. We stayed the night. How was the ride? I believe it was approximately 3:00 pm when we saw a sign indicating Suphanburi was 53 km away … [Read more...]
Notes From The Road: From Chiang Mai To Tak
Transcript Hey Once Again, The decision to come to Tak (city) was fairly organic. New Year's Eve was approaching and Brandy (my partner in crime) and I had only booked our hotel until the 29th. Trying to find accommodations until the first was becoming cumbersome, so as we were trying to determine our next move sitting side by side at a net cafe, I suggested to Brandy "Maybe we should pull up a map of Thailand". She did. Then asked, "What about Tak?" I had never heard of it; neither had she. It was a go. Two days and a six … [Read more...]