A year in Thailand

Well, it's been a year in Thailand now, I know because I attended this exact same temple event last year. I didn't have a clue where I was, or what I was doing.

I am a bit more used to Thai ways these days. The whole blog thing is a great way to diarize, and look back on old opinions, and sometimes realise how naive you were. I wonder if in another years time I will look back and tut-tut about how naive I am now?

I have learned to dodge just about every tom and dick on the Highways, how to sleep in Bangkok traffic, how to arse kiss Thai cops. I have studied animals I have never seen, looked after ones that would surely have died. I have learned a little of a new language, and the ways and mannerisms of a unique people. I have seen absolute untouched beauty, and death up close and ugly.

Thailand really is a complete contrast of all that life has to offer. I don't know how long I will be here, but I am very much enjoying 'the now'.

Thanks for reading this blog, now in it's second year

Ben.

Comments

[Catherine]

Happy Birthday! In the one year of living here, you've done a lot, experienced a lot.

And better yet, it is documented on your blog.

My first year was a blur...

Here's to many more years in Thailand for you. And if not, then here's to many more years wherever you end up :-)

[Ben Shingleton]

Thanks Cat, I plan to be here for a while! Looking forward to adventures in yr 2.

[Jon]

Hi Ben,

Congrats on tallying up a year. I'm following hot on your heels (October) but have begun to find annoynace with certain things of life here.

E.g., I'm a little less tolerant of the stares and whispered "farang" conversations when out and about in town. Sure, this was funny at first, but it can make shopping, etc, a somewhat painful experience if ''m not in the mood.

How has your attitude to life here changed at all?

Perhaps it is just me but a little of the initial excitement of living here has worn off.

[Richard Barrow]

Congratulations on surviving your first year in Thailand and thanks also for sharing your experiences. They say that the first year is the hardest and then after that it should be downhill all the way. But, as a blogger writing about Thailand, your challenge is to keep seeing the country with fresh eyes in order to give the outsiders an interesting insight. I look forward to reading more of your adventures in the months and years to come.

[Ben Shingleton]

Hi Jon, thanks for your message, yes certain things get on my nerves, I get irritated when cops try to get money from me when I haven't done anything wrong, I get peeved when I am in the middle of saying something and a Thai will just happily bounce along and cheerily interrupt me! I get narked off when a 5 minute trip out takes over 3 hours due to various stop offs and things that have to be acquired. Overall, I have had to become a more tolerant person to get along, and taking it all into account, Thailand is a fantastic place to live. I constantly remind myself how lucky I am .... But I know what you mean, we all have ups and downs don't we ...

Hey Richard, thanks for your message. Haha yes downhill all the way! I do constantly attempt to push the positive on the Pirate, I don't believe it will be too hard to keep the fresh eye glasses on, Thailand still constantly surprises me, and life is rarely boring! Long may it continue :)

[Jon]

I'd definitely agree I'm more tolerant too, actually. Much more relaxed, jai-yen, than ever.

[Martyn]

Ben congratulations on passing the one year mark, mine is next month. You have built a great blog that is funny, fresh and informative. It is also great credit to you that you take time out to answer nearly all the comments posted to you, that's a sign that someone cares about the message they are putting over. Perhaps a ' Best of The Thai Pirate Year One' post is waiting to be posted. Best wishes for the future.

[Ben Shingleton]

Thanks Martyn, kop kun marg kub! Best wishes to you and I look forward to more Mango Juice :)