Business as usual
I'm really suprised that my last blog entry was as coherant as it was seeing that I was functioning on so little sleep.
It has been truly bizzare over the last two days seeing Sara and Noah (my cousins). Traveling for 7 months with no real connection to my life became so normalized, that it was shocking to suddenly have evidence in front of me that I have an on going life somwhere else. Talking with people who's first language is english, who understand my sense of humor, my cultural references, and my family has put me into a state of hyper-euphoria. What makes it weird though is that I'm still traveleing. Everything is still foreign and different, but my life flew out to visit me. I think this will be the best thing to ease me back into western culture though. If I had traveled from India to LA, the case of cultural Bendz could have been truly debilitating.
Thailand is a shock in itself. It is by far the most western country I've visited, and Bangkok is almost indesernable from parts of some American cities. It's earily confortable to be here even though its not quite my kind of place.
Yesterday we went shopping for knock-off clothes and dvds. We went to a huge complex and lost almost the whole day just walking around looking at everything. After 5 hours I hadn't even seen what was on the top two floors of the building we were in. It was extremely overwhelming.
I think that tommarow we may head off from Bangkok for a large island along the coast. Elephant rides and snorkeling seem to be in the not to distant future.
Sorry, no crazy near death experience to awe you with.
It has been truly bizzare over the last two days seeing Sara and Noah (my cousins). Traveling for 7 months with no real connection to my life became so normalized, that it was shocking to suddenly have evidence in front of me that I have an on going life somwhere else. Talking with people who's first language is english, who understand my sense of humor, my cultural references, and my family has put me into a state of hyper-euphoria. What makes it weird though is that I'm still traveleing. Everything is still foreign and different, but my life flew out to visit me. I think this will be the best thing to ease me back into western culture though. If I had traveled from India to LA, the case of cultural Bendz could have been truly debilitating.
Thailand is a shock in itself. It is by far the most western country I've visited, and Bangkok is almost indesernable from parts of some American cities. It's earily confortable to be here even though its not quite my kind of place.
Yesterday we went shopping for knock-off clothes and dvds. We went to a huge complex and lost almost the whole day just walking around looking at everything. After 5 hours I hadn't even seen what was on the top two floors of the building we were in. It was extremely overwhelming.
I think that tommarow we may head off from Bangkok for a large island along the coast. Elephant rides and snorkeling seem to be in the not to distant future.
Sorry, no crazy near death experience to awe you with.
posted by Robert at 12/23/2005 09:58:00 PM
2 Comments:
Your narratives always impress me, thank you for the diligence of continuing to share your path with us "safe-at-home-folks." Actually, your Aunt Peggy & I have escaped the SoCal zoo for a few weeks in the Cascades. We, as you may have been, are invigorated by the passing of the Solstice and the palpable cordiality of serendipitous contacts as we begin our minor escape. It is a rather singular time of year, as we all look forward to renewal.
Peggy and I wish you the best as you wrap up an incredible year and in your return to the left coast later in January.
Oh, yeah; try the chopped fresh chilies in fish sauce on some pad thai. Traditional – I doubt it, intense – you bet.
Bonour ROBERT!
Great to read you again. I can't even begin to imagine the skills and insight you've aquired during your travels! I'm in awe!
Had your parents for dinner, a treat.
Love
Anne
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