ขอบคุณ-K̄habkhuṇ Kha

"Thailand: The land of straw"

A crazy roller coaster ride, first the last-minute confirmation of scholarship, then to vacating my apartment to applying for the visa and packing everything I need for 2 years in the foreign land. Indeed, I became a calculative zombie trying to be awake to avoid last minutes hassle. Proud that I made it.

The last few weeks have been a crazy ride, the confirmation from the Scholarship department came at the last minute and I wasn't left with adequate time to prepare. I have to take all my stuff from Gyalpozhing to my parent's place as I will be away for 2 years and the rule says we have to vacant our apartment. With the help of my dad and friends, I was able to ferry everything safely at Bumthang. 

My Mom came with me till Paro to see me off, then on I was lucky that I had a friend from Taktse College who will be pursuing a graduate program with me in the same university, Faculty of Liberal Arts. The navigation from the Airport was really easy with a friend, if not I cannot imagine making it to the final destination all alone. I realized that we have to travel for exposure.

I wasn't aware of many things☺, the lifts and elevators are making me dizzy but I am getting used to it now.

  "I realized that we have to travel for exposure."

The main challenge I am facing is the food since I am a pure vegetarian, there is hardly any vegetarian restaurant here. There are all kinds of seafood and non-veg item, my friends are enjoying. The constant motivation from my friends is that I should slowly start eating fish and eggs, at least if I want to survive and complete my studies☺. I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN EVER DO THAT, NOT IN MY OPTION RIGHT NOW THOUGH. I might break the ice soon.

I am glad that I have finally found an apartment, my space near the university. I have kind of realize that I cannot take chaos and noise, I couldn't sleep for the last 3 days because of the constant traffic noise from outside, Bangkok is awake for 24*7. Nevertheless, I am trying to acclimate to the new environment, new place and weird food.

In addition, I have realized the power of language.  I now understand why foreigner friends back home were keen to learn the basics of the local dialect . Only a handful of people here know how to speak English. The language is another barrier, I cannot order food properly☺. I am thinking of learning basic Thai Language, another to-do-list.

And Yes! I call Hat Yai, the land of Straw as we are given a straw for every soft drink we buy, even for drinking bottled water we are provided a straw. I kind of like it as it doesn't smash my lipstick.

A lot to share, I am learning and experimenting every day. Today I had to take my clothes for laundry and guess what I need a coin to wash my clothes, I have to learn how to operate the machine and the work is done. Everything is advanced.

People here are really polite and respectful. I am positive about the change and hope I achieve the purpose of coming here without any hurdles.