Things I've learned in Thailand

(Started on 7/28/12)

1. Drink water. Simple as that. When you are in a new place, hot place, or just plain traveling you need to drink more water than normal. I learned it the hard way.

My Vet Group having Fun and Learning at ENP without me.

2. There are times to push yourself, and there are times not to push yourself. If it will result in a short period of pain: push away. If it will have a poor result, or harm you in any way:  give in, don't push. You'll only end up hurting yourself or missing out on something like a week at Elephant Nature Park.
3. Everyone who truly travels has stuff happen. It's just one of the rules of traveling. It's a reason many don't travel. You may get all your money and passport stolen or you may be REALLY sick the three weeks you are in India or you may get sick in Chiang Mai and miss a week at ENP. It sucks. There ain't no doubt about it, it just sucks, but it's traveling, and there is nothing you can do about it. 

 4. Sometimes you aren't really full. If you haven't eaten all day and feel full, you really aren't. Your brain is lying to you, and you have to force yourself to eat. It isn't the best feeling, but you need to survive. 

Part of the moat around Chiang Mai that Jane and I walked along. 

5.  You can't let your feelings make the final decision. When Jane and I first talked about it we agreed that I would be going to ENP partly because she felt so bad. She saw how upset I was when I wasn't with my friends at ENP, when Katie D left, and knew how much I really wanted to be there. (Addam knew it too.) But after Addam talked some sense into himself and then told her that she was letting her emotions get in the way and she needed to reevaluate, she changed her mind. It was a heartbreaking choice, for all three of us(not that I really had any say in it), but it was the better choice. As hard as it is to admit it, it really was.

Chiang Mai Ram

6. The right decision isn't always the one you want. Yes, this is obvious when you see it written as a theme in a book, tv show or movie. But when you experience it, you really learn it. Just like when I was walking around Chiang Mai with Jane. I was super tired; my entire body was. I was dizzy and my head was killing me, but I wanted to keep walking. I wanted to walk all the way back to the Hotel and then to the mall. But Jane made us get a ride. I'm happy she was there to make that decision. It was the better choice, and I know I wouldn't have made it much further. I also learned it on Saturday when Jane and Hannah took me to the hospital when I really didn't wanna go. If I hadn't gone I may have died of heat stroke. 

7. US has very expensive health care. Yes, I know it's said all the time. But I've experienced it first hand. Other than the outstanding bedside manners at Goryeb Children's Hospital and most US hospitals, the  service you get and quality of it is pretty similar in other areas of the world. Such as Thailand. But it is just cost a tenth of the cost in Thailand.

6.  Pedestrians do not have the right away in other parts of the world. Gosh, if you wanna cross the street... Good Luck! Even if it is at a crosswalk or during a red light. I can't tell you how many times we almost got hit, even standing on the edge of the sidewalk.

8. There is always a bathroom worse than what you just used. Every time I went to the bathroom and thought it was the worst I had seen I would eventually come across another a little bit worse. It wasn't a common thought, but it did come up enough for me to realise it. 

9. Admitting that you need help or don't feel good is a good idea if it's something more than a cold. Trust me, you may feel weak, but you'll be really embarrassed when it looks like you don't care about or take care of yourself. 

10. Holding a hand actually does wonders. Rather you squeeze someone's hand as you get a shot or gently hold a hand when you aren't feeling well it helps. It helps the pain go away. If you don't Believe me try it next time you are sick. During this last week, I think I've held hands more than I havent. 

11. Not everywhere is as "flat" as the states. By this I mean, not everywhere has roads with little to no bumps in the road or sidewalk. Not everywhere as easy to walk in as the States... Or even as you may think.

12. Looking down when you are dizzy is not smart. It will usually make you more dizzy. And don't keep tying it to see if the feeling goes away, it will just make it worse!  

13. It's okay to sit anywhere when you have to. I can't tell you how many times I've just randomly sat down in the middle of the sidewalk, mall, market, 7eleven, and food stores. It also felt nice to feel the cold ground when you are overheating. 

14. A "To Do" List really does help you get things done. It really does help me.

15. Not every dog is born nice. I believe it has a lot to do with how a dog is raised, but I've met many dogs this week who just want to attack you even though no human has ever hurt them or taught them to harm. 

16.   Many of the people in Thailand do not understand personal space. While in the mall and just walking around in general, people would literally be walking on top of me.
18. Sometime, things that don't look good, are in fact terrible. On the plane from Newark to Japan Hailey got a vegetarian meal. We both agreed that she should try it despite the fact that it look disgusting. We were both always taught that looks can be deceiving. However, this rule did not apply this time. Her meal was in fact terrible, it was actually worse than it looked.
19. If you watch the same episodes of a show over and over, I bet you by the 7th time you'll pick up on some big details that you missed. Just like when Jane and I thought the ex-wife blew up her ex-husband's house in Law and Order, when it infact was the guy who blew up his own house. (PLOT TWIST!)

20. If you are read your Miranda  rights just shut up. I did not have a personal encounter with this, but I watched a ton of law/cop shows during this past week. Each time Jane would remind me, if you are ever arrested don't say anything but "I want to talk to my lawyer."

21. If a detective or private investigator comes to find you, don't tell them your story. Yes, they may be pushy, but don't crack. You do NOT have to speak, in fact, you shouldn't say anything. If they really wanna speak to you they will get some official paperwork stuff or something along those lines. THAT and only THEN is when you tell what happened.
22. I guess I can also say, I've learned it's okay to cry. Yes, I still will try extremely hard NOT to cry, but when it comes to goodbyes and disappointments, although it does absolutely nothing to make you fell better, it's okay for me to cry in front of someone.  I cried in front of two people I really look up to, and had just met a week before. In Front of two people I see as mentors and who I didn't want to see any weakness in me. I also cried in front of all of my friends: once out of fear and pain, and the other out of sadness from saying goodbye.
23. Everyone has a weakness. Rather you let it show and still be confident about it or you let it show and not be confident about it, everyone has something.  You aren't perfect unless you have a weakness. You don't have to be proud about it, but you should always be confident. Be proud of who you are.