In Bangkok for over 3 months already. The usual topic applies, time flies. But at the same time it feels like I have been here for a lot longer. So many new things, people, experiences in just over 90 days.

 

Pedro says that I have valor for living here, but as I said to him what I feel that you really need is just loads of energy. The crazy traffic, the always crowded streets, the kamikaze drivers, the challenge of communications… all this can get to you if you keep well charged up.

 

The confusion of the first few days is going away. It seems like a million years ago that first dinner at Siam Paragon, when I couldn’t understand what people were telling me, although they were talking in english… With the tiredness after the trip, the unknown surroundings, my ear not yet used to the local accent I was left quite unsettled after that meal. Was it really a sane decision to move over here?

 

In the last 3 months I have moved to a new continent, started learning a new language, changed jobs, left friends and family behind, settled in a new home, met new people, made new friends, done a lot of walking, drank more mojitos than I can count, party on weekdays, eat often enough things that I don’t know how to pronounce or even what they are… in summary: I have started a new life, right from scratch. 

 

 “Amazing Thailand” is the official slogan to promote the country, it feels so right! Not many days go by without before you can find a reason to say it. Most of the times are just small, simple things, but I just haven’t experience them anywhere else. From knowing that getting into a taxi can be a death wish, to sharing the changing room at the gym with so many beautiful girls that were born men, to having to fight your way through a crowd queuing up to get their breakfast curry on the street or just having to pull an straight face and not laugh when you meat this girl and she tells you that her name is Silly-Porn (spelt different but sounds just the same).. At times I sort off forget where I am, at the end of the day an office is an office and a flat is a flat. But then you see something, you experience something that brings me back to reality and realise that really I now live in Bangkok.

When the probation period is over a decision has to be made: pass or not? Stay or go? Not the easiest move, but certainly this is a pass, I like this place and I hope to enjoy it for a lot longer.