I stayed in Bangkok for my first week in Thailand before my TEFL course started. I did not plan this week before I left. When I decided to move to Thailand I planned only two things: 1) the 4 week TEFL course I am taking that starts August 3, 2009 in Ban Phe and 2) my first night’s hotel room in Bangkok. After the 4-week tour of my favorite cities in the US (NYC & SF) visiting family and friends, I landed in Bangkok on July 26th and headed to Baan Saladaeng. This “urban oasis” was on the list of recommendations by a friend of a friend who lives in Bangkok. They have 9 individually designed rooms and you are able to view which ones are available and book your specific room online. I chose the Royal Victoria Suite for my first night and was going to see how I felt about Bangkok and the hotel before deciding on anything further. What I heard from most people is that I would want to leave after the 2nd day and go to a beach somewhere. I’ve never been to Bangkok or Thailand so how would I know? I would have to see how I felt once I was there.
1st night
Perceptions are not real, find and know your truth!
It’s always good to ask people about places and things but to take it as it is: their perception and experience, not yours. I’ve learned to approach other people’s opinions and even my own with a question mark and not a period. If I listened to others, I wouldn’t have stayed in Bangkok. If I listened to my first impression then I wouldn’t have stayed either.
My view of Bangkok after the first day was very limited and I felt unsure about staying there. I did like the small boutique hotel and friendly staff so I decided to go ahead and book the next 5 nights while they had rooms available. I end up staying in 4 different themed rooms and loved the experience. I thought at least I didn’t have to deal with my luggage and I could always stay in the room and read. I observed these feelings and thoughts and noticed the tendency to feel safe.
last night
The mind’s need to feel safe is deceptive and keeps you and your world small. Moving forward with that feeling will help you grow and experience joy.
I went out to walk the streets, explored and found a whole new perspective of Bangkok. The uncomfortable feeling I had was just the unknowing. My first day I walked down one street which was crazy busy and polluted. I noticed that 1 out of 5 Thais were wearing disposable mouth protectors and I assumed that it was because of the pollution. Once I explored my surrounding neighborhood (and how to cross the street going up the stairs across the pedestrian bridge) I felt empowered and was able to tune into more things around me. I also found out later by talking to someone that the Thais wore the mouth protectors because they were concern about getting the Swine Flu, not because of the pollution. My Kundalini Yoga practice each morning helped me tremendously while adjusting to all of the newness. I trained my mind to slow down and take things slow without any set plans or “have tos”. I decided that I would do one thing (on my mental wish list) each day and to trust my intuition as I made decisions. Taking deep breaths throughout each day also helped me presence myself.
As my confidence built I explored more and my perspective of Bangkok shifted. I loved taking the Skytrain and walking around. I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all and now I had a sense of excitement and love for the city. Being very present and aware allowed me to be in the flow, this is when everything just falls into place. I would stumble upon exactly what I was looking for everyday. My next blog will have the details of the treatments and I experienced and how I found them. On my third day I got to know the map a little better and noticed a large park a block away from where I was staying. The first couple of days I turned left onto Silom to walk to Health Land Spa and to the BTS Skytrain. This morning I turned right instead of left and found my favorite discovery, Lumpini Park!
favorite discovery
After the first day I could have left in search of pleasure but staying and moving in the uncomfortable lead me to the pleasure that was all around me, just one turn away. I am remembering this lesson right now as I begin my TEFL course in Ban Phe, Thailand. It been a lifetime ago since I utilized my left-brain to study and I’m observing my desire to do other things that I know I love instead. I also don’t think I’ve ever sat in at a desk in a chair for 8 hours a day for a month! I’m embracing the uncomfortable to see what I find.
way to live
Trust yourself to find your truth – explore your thoughts alone.
The week I spent in Bangkok I found myself alone, without any distractions, for the first time in my life. Canceling my cell phone plan broke my iPhone addiction and the many distractions that came along with it: checking and responding to my email, Facebook, text messages, and phone calls. Shut off from all communication except the Internet (on my time and only when I’m back at the hotel) I am alone with my thoughts. When I was outside walking around the city I couldn’t understand the signs or conversations. I also didn’t know anyone or meet anyone to hangout with and talk to, which was a nice change. I had been craving this silence and solitude for a long time. Being truly alone helped me sit and observe my thoughts and feelings. I had the opportunity to pause before reacting, question, and reflect on things. A week of “active meditation” helped me find my truth, at least about Bangkok. Find solitude to sit, observe and question your thoughts to know your truth and it will set your mind free.
The Thai culture is pleasant and brings out my true nature.
free wellness in the park!
What I love most about the Thai culture is that wellness is their way of life. Visiting Lumpini Park from 5-7am was my favorite discovery of Bangkok. It was filled with Thais of all ages, with the majority middle age and elderly, working out in the “playground”. They know the importance of tai chi, yoga, meditating, massage and stretching. The sidewalks are lined with vendors selling fresh, local real food that people buy on their way to and from work. They even sit and with regular social gatherings bonding on the street and in the park. The Thais radiate an overall feeling of happy and relaxed.
delicious new discovery
One morning I discovered a new delicious fruit over breakfast called Ramutan, or Ngow in Thai. I was told that it’s only in season this month in Thailand. One of the many things I love about the Thai culture is that they eat local and in season, not much processed food if at all. All of the cheap food is local. Anything that they have to import is priced like we would pay in the States. Even though that makes sense, it’s not like that in the States because the government subsidized the corn, wheat, soy, dairy and meat industries. Those also take up most of our farmland and pollute our environment and bodies with chemicals. With the government subsidies Americans can eat cheap junk “food”, get sick and take medicine that cause disease. So then the doctors keep their jobs and the industries continue to make money. My dream would be for the US government to instead subsidize organic vegetable farms and wellness services. Since I’ve been in Thailand I haven’t seen any obesity, felt any anger or depression and that has everything to do with their lifestyle.
Thai massage "medicine"
As I move through each day, things are peaceful and pleasant. I find myself reaching for the Bangkok Post and feeling good as I read the entire thing. The front-page headline yesterday was “Crossing At Their Own Risk”, the top news story was about the police cracking down on jaywalkers and threatening to fine them 200 Baht ($6) for not using the pedestrian bridge or zebra crossing. Even though the city is heavily populated like NYC, there is calmness about it. I’ve noticed that I haven’t heard even one police or ambulance siren. Another difference are the homeless people. They really can’t work and are amputees with missing limbs or are burn victims. My heart goes out to them and makes me want to give as they ask in prayer. There doesn’t seem to be any violence or craziness.
calm, relaxed and in line for the train
Thai people are peaceful, healthy, happy and polite. Taking the Skytrain (BTS) is even pleasant because people are calm and relaxed. They even form lines where indicated while waiting for the train. The Thais look you in the eye and smile. They are light-hearted people who make life fun and easy. They joke and laugh about things that might be embarrassing or frustrating to Americans. When I slipped down the staircase at my hotel they commented about how I like to make a grand entrance and laughed instead of worrying. Laughter and joking around was apart of all of my treatments that made me feel more connected with my heart to the other person. The masseuse, my first day at Health Land Spa, pretended to gently massage my new goddess tattoo and giggled which made me giggle and enjoy her even more. They bow in sweet prayer when they say thank you (korb kun ka), and they thank you after any purchase including the 7-11. I love the culture and way of life here and it brings out my true nature that is calm, relaxed, peaceful and filled with joy!
detox, yoga/pilates, spa and raw food
My soul was craving this trip and now I know why. Since I’ve been living from and listening to my heart I make decisions and know why after. I felt a very strong calling to Thailand for many years and decided to release everything I own and move there. The two questions I was most often was asked by others were; “Why Thailand?” and “How long will you be there?” My answers were always “I’ve felt a strong desire to be there” and “I don’t know”. This was not a trip that I heard of or researched about, it came from my soul. The soul’s desire cannot be understood until that desire if fulfilled. This is the difference when making decisions from the heart and not the mind. The second question is interesting. When I moved to Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale, back to Atlanta, up to NYC, back to Atlanta, over to San Francisco and back to Atlanta not once did I get anyone ask me “For how long will you live there?” It’s probably because anything foreign, even concepts, to most people make them scared and they have a need to know the future.
Planning and thinking in the future is very limiting and blocks the flow and pleasure of life.
Great stuff beloved.
Thank you Elicia. helps me appreciate what is possible when happiness and love are placed above money and profit…and unnecessary stress…
Eli – you are such a great writer! Very inspiring and insightful. Looking forward to “hearing” more. Thank you for sharing. Forever yours!
xo
I really loved this post. I’m so happy to hear about the immensely positive effect that Thailand is already having on your well-being. And your writing style has become all the more clear and thoughtful. Namaste.
Eli-
Your wonderfully shared thoughts are heartwarming and great to read! Thanks for sharing your adventure with us and keep up the great fun.
I am so proud of you.