When in Rome...or Thailand, Rather.

It's been one full week. I believe I can officially say I am a resident of this foreign country. Living on the mainland (US), one can merely attempt to fathom the wonders of the world beyond the shores of "sea to shining sea". Crossing borders really does give a whole new meaning to the word 'foreign', especially in Asia. I thought I knew most of what I was about to encounter once I flew over the vast Pacific Ocean: similar to the US, only more rice, less blonde hair, and way better food. Ha! Well, that's a grain of sand on the tip of the iceberg. And THAT, my friends, is why I am in love with traveling. For the shear fact that every moment is a new experience, no matter how American you try to be.
The Thais are amazing people. I'm gaining a sturdy feel for these people, and though I must admit I was intimidated the first day or two, traipsing about and feeling like a sunflower in a field of red roses, I am finally (or already...not sure which is more appropriate or normal) beginning to feel comfortable in my own skin here. I know they probably view me as a foreigner and may be hesitant toward me, but I am learning when and at whom I can smile and be my friendly self, who I probably shouldn't trust right away, and now that I'm figuring out my surroundings and means of transport, I can relax and know I'll be okay. The stray dogs everywhere don't frighten me, the extremely uneven sidewalks that broke/expertly jammed my big toe on the first day are allowing my sandaled feet to get accustomed to them, and the brown, polluted air that teems with interesting and unpleasant scents is becoming less noticeable in my nostrils. Haha, whether these are positive things or not is for you to decide, but as for me, I'm categorizing them as steps toward adaptation.
I have been teaching since my second day here, and though it's been tremendously hectic and full of surprises and unknowns, I have made it through this far, and for that I give myself credit. Having never taught before, being thrown into a school that's religion is different from my own, in a new country where the students generally speak another language, having to figure out not only WHAT to teach, but also how, where, when, and who, having to learn public transportation systems that are new to me, a currency so different from my own, trying to decipher these things while suffering severe jet lag for 3 days straight, and surviving until the weekend is saying something. Don't get me wrong, I loved every minute of it, but I must say it has been one long week. And the toilet thing. Thais don't believe in toilet paper (how green of them), so the bathroom thing has been comical, as well. Little hoses beside the toilets (if you're lucky enough to get a stall with a Western toilet, as opposed to a squat toilet) quietly hang beside you as you're doing your business, as if you're not dreading the clean-up process afterward, not to mention the wet spot on the crotch of your pants for the next 20 minutes until it dries in the heat of the day. And as far as the traffic moving in the wrong direction, I always told myself I wouldn't fall victim to being the stupid American who forgot to TRULY look both ways when visiting countries such as this, yet there I was, more than twice, almost darting out into oncoming traffic, unaware of the flow. Oh, and once you think you have the traffic thing down, you still have to be on your toes because anything goes in Thailand as far as driving. There are no real speed limits posted or rules saying you MUST drive with the flow of traffic and not wherever you want. Motorcycles, if you can squeeze between two cars or between that curb and that bus, you are more than welcome to make your way through to arrive at your destination faster. If this means taking the sidewalk instead, so be it. Just watch out for the dogs lying in the middle of the road, the poles, stairs (to foot bridges), and hundreds of wires strung about the sidewalks. If you can fit 3 toddlers and an adult on your bike, that will save gas or an second trip, just like an industrial truck with no tailgate or door on the back containing 20 beer-drinking men in the back. It's ok. It's Thailand: the land of the happy and hopeful. We did just get flooded, but no worries, mate! Life is good. Grab some sand bags to slow down the cafe con leche-colored water and just wade through the rest. Just make sure you  take those wet shoes off before entering the house.
Oh, Thailand! Bangkok is, sadly to say, much cleaner than the province just northeastern part of the city in which I reside. 7.5 million people making their way leisurely amongst the innumerable street stall vendors, and the buses, tuk-tuks, saam thaws, motorcycles, taxis, vans, and all the other unidentifiable vehicles seems like it would all add up to chaos, and to a small town farmer, this may be true, but one can sense the laid back attitude of this version of Asian culture. It's so interesting to watch. I learn new words and how to say other ones correctly,  everyday. It's probably one of the highlights of my days here so far. That feeling of accomplishment one feels from being able to successfully communicate with someone from scratch is especially rewarding. How a person could not have the desire to attempt to communicate with the people whose country that individual is invading, and instead remain selfish enough to suffer because the locals won't come to level of the foreigner and speak that persons' language in THEIR country, is beyond me. Being immersed in a a foreign culture is such a cool experience that few actually have the opportunity to do, that I feel ashamed for those who are stubborn enough to not make an attempt. And sadly I am one of the few in my work environment who has taken the first steps to understanding this complex language that surrounds us everywhere we go. I want to be a local everywhere I go.