First Steps in Paradise
Driving through the mountains I notice drastic contrasts in color and texture. From lush forest greens of every shade, to wildly abundant and colorful wildflowers and fruits, to tiny villages filled with glistening street foods and locals surprised and delighted to see a bearded farang (an endearing term for foreigner) deep in their country sanctuary. Mountainous, teaming with natural life and filled with the promise of adventure, the excitement builds as we pull into the sleepy town of Tha Wang Pha located deep in the northern mountains.
↑ The Sweet People of Thailand
The warmth and friendliness of the Thai people will make returning to the states more difficult than expected. As American style gyms are hard to find in remote Nan province I’ve been taking long runs deep into the jungle green which is always a nice way to let off some steam after a sometimes tiring day of teaching. On my way back to meet with my English teachers for dinner, I came across a large group of rice farmers having dinner along the road at sunset. Although I’d seen this group before, I had never thought to more than smile on my way by, but this time they beckoned me over asking that I share food and drink with them. After sampling a few of their delicious snacks I continued along my way delighted by how giving these people had been without expectation of anything in return. This kind of giving for the sake of giving without interest in return warmed my heart right to the core.
The next week, on a particularly hot Saturday afternoon after an exciting and exhausting week of teaching, we set off for a trip to a nearby waterfall for some much-needed relief from the sweltering Thai sun. After a yummy and fresh meal of green papaya salad, grilled mango chicken, sausage and ice cold drinks picked out by our local friends we hike a few miles into the Thai brush to a small but beautiful chain of cascading waterfalls where we happily splashed and floated the lazy day away.
EAT
↑ Yummy Thai Food
Thai food is incredibly delicious and diverse and includes anything from fish to pork to vegetables and a whole lot of rice. Som Tom or green papaya salad, an ancient Thai delicacy, is spicy, sour and a little sweet and is often eaten with freshly roasted chicken and other delicious little dishes, which are usually stir fried with fragrant local herbs, vegetables and lots of chilies. Spice is a big part of Thai flavor palate and the intensity can take a little time to get used to. This country has helped me to appreciate spicy food on a whole new level and I often find myself asking for a traditional condiment of fish sauce and chilies to add an extra dash of fire to my meals.
The word spicy doesn’t begin to explain the painful yet delicious experience of a typical Thai meal. Heavily seasoned with chili peppers, a meal of Tom Yum Gung, fried rice, coconut curry and papaya salad can sometimes feel like a long and but lovely hike to the top of the mountain with a delicious dessert waiting at the top as a reward for a job well done. And that brings me to the local sweets. The fresh fruit that can be found in every market are wildly delicious and packed with juicy flavor. From dragon fruit, to pineapple, to young coconut and papaya there’s so much to sample and it’s all served up bite sized in a convenient little bag with a wooden skewer to eat with.
Rice is ever-present in Thailand. From the noodles to the desserts—it serves as the foundation of most Thai dishes. It has become so deeply ingrained as a staple that the Thai phrase for eating food – “gin cow” – literally translates to “eat rice.” Deeply flavored, packed with nutrients and super versatile, I will miss the mountains of delicious rice.
Going out to eat is very common in Thailand where a standard meal costs $3-4 USD. Tha Wang Pha has an abundance of welcoming and delicious restaurants that serve everything from spicy chicken soup and Pad Thai to Thai style Pizza – a unique but delicious twist on the classic.
As our town is very small, one of the highlights of our days is spending hours eating, drinking and conversing about our discoveries, experiences and the day’s delights. A great time for reflection and a delicious meal, eating out with friends has become one of my most cherished daily activities.
PLAY
↑ The Beaches
After spending months deep in the Thai mountains, I was elated when I stepped foot on the deeply beautiful white sand beaches of Koh Phi Phi and Koh Tao. Long boats are the primary means of transportation here and they bring you buzzing past tiny islands abundant with jungle greenery and wildlife.
These islands are famous for their Full Moon Parties, incredible food, and wonderfully friendly locals who have the best suggestions for a day of adventuring. We spent our last day on the islands kayaking along Raleigh Beach through sea caves, enjoying the vibrantly colored sea life, adorable jungle monkeys and a fresh young coconut between journeys.
↑ Paramotoring
Paramotoring is super popular in the Thai countryside and although it takes a little time to get the hang of, you can take classes with local experts that will have you cruising over the mountain wilderness in no time. Nothing quite compares to the rush of taking off into the sky as you work with the wind currents to propel yourself up into the clouds.
CULTURE
↑ Mai Pen Rai – It’s All Good
Thailand’s most prominent and visible religion is Buddhism. One of Buddhism’s cultural influences is a relaxed, intentional and present approach to communication, which I’ve found to be wildly refreshing. The Thai phrase mai pen rai (“it’s all good” or “no worries”) describes the country’s unofficial philosophy, expressing the local affinity for keeping cool and collected in potentially stressful situations.
In the workplace, this translates into collaboration and level-headedness, which is essential to resolving issues at the core and developing quality resources for students. I hope I’ve been able to carry on some of the mai pen rai attitude back home!
Embracing the Mystery of this Deeply Abundant Land
Thailand has always held a lot of mystery and allure for me. A gypsy heart at my core, nothing excites me more than being immersed in a drastically different culture from my own, surrounded by unfamiliarity and deep mystery—from learning the nuances of language, to visiting the bustling morning markets, to spending sweet time eating, drinking and laughing with locals, to tutoring for college entrance exams to crafting unique and hands-on lesson plans to engage and inspire my students—Thailand has taught me so much about deeply loving the beauty of everyday life. I’ve been truly captivated by the “Land of Smiles”.
These words only scratch the surface of my experience in this enchanted nation. This is a place that needs to be experienced and breathed in firsthand. This is a place that welcomes you in for all that you are and hope to become. This is a place of uncharted wonder, love and beauty.