It has been approximately sixteen weeks since I removed myself from Thai soil and set forth on North American dirt. Three weeks have passed since I've escaped most days feeling like a leaky headed sideshow monkey, or perhaps, rephrased, I have reveled in three weeks of freedom from re-entry coma. In previous posts I had discussed the maladies and surrealism of my re-entry shock, today I will reflect on the improvements living in Thailand has made to my daily life. Note, I continue to have moments of less than linear thought, short attention span, extreme social anxiety and exasperation at the English language. I often take once comprehended words or phrases as rigid … [Read more...]
Racism in Thailand: The Lasting Effects After Exiting the Land of Smiles
The following was inspired by a recent comment by Alan Reid on Racism in Thailand: A Day in the Life of a White Woman in Buriram. Alan describes instances of discrimination he has encountered in The Land Of Smiles then concludes with: I try to smile and be friendly to the Thais everyday, however I have this bitterness and hatred built up inside, the same as you. This struck me deeply, not only out of empathy but also due to the fact that eleven weeks after leaving Thailand, what remains and what I continue to combat is negativity within. Negativity towards other people. Negativity towards myself. The forms of this corruption were not in my heart before leaving Canadian soil in … [Read more...]
Re-Entry Shock: Over Ten Weeks In
I had left for Asia, thus the commencement of my nomadic life in early 2009. In mid to late 2010 I returned to my native country of Canada to clear up some loose ends and finalize the selling of my condo in Toronto. As memory serves me, the transition was easy. I flew in, I hung out for approximately one month and I left elated. However, in August 2012, roughly ten weeks after I landed on North American soil, I'm writing you, feeling like a freak (in my parents' basement...which doesn't help matters). In a previous piece, Re-Entry Shock: Feeling Like A Foreigner In Your Native Country, I detailed my experience. What I didn't realize at the time was how long this … [Read more...]
Re-Entry Shock: Feeling Like A Foreigner In Your Native Country
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...]
Culture Shock: 7 Brain Sweeps Returning To North American Life
Thirty days in North America and the following squished and/or continues to squish my brain: 1) Despite spending the month of June split between southern California and the most southern city in the entire nation of Canada, during the day, I've been caught running around in jeans, a shirt, jacket, scarf and gloves while others run amok in beaters (vests) and shorts. In air conditioned homes I sip hot water to not have to walk around in a blanket. I currently sleep in thermals. 2) I dug deep, got in touch with my internal cheeseball, made peace with her and began to (occasionally) wear sunglasses indoors. My brother, with whom I was crashing with in California returned home at … [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...]