Out of the comfort zone

It's only on my tenth and last day in Bangkok that I got around to start writing. Not so much because of lack of time, but because my first few days over here have been rather challenging. For starters, I was not aware that there was such a thing as "emotional jet-lag". Basically, it comes down to feeling really down and overwhelmed for no apparent reason -other than the fact that you are in a totally different time zone, weather, food and culture, of course- when instead you should be jumping for joy for having the luck of being in such an exotic place. Well, my travel-savvy friends were right: it eventually goes away.

In these last few days I have devoted myself to going from temple to temple trying to learn my way around and fighting the loneliness of the solo traveller. As I found out, I don't really enjoy solo travelling, so that is definitely something that I won't be doing in future trips. It's true that you have much more freedom of movement, but I prefer to share my experiences with other people... especially when you can't read the street signs and locals don't really understand you when you ask for directions. I must say that I could have prepared myself better. Having been around a bit in other countries, I didn't deem it so necessary. However, I could have done worse too: you would be surprised how people travel. Including those who travel without any other purpose than stepping on different ground.

Bangkok is a city of stark contrasts: a wild concrete jungle dotted with heaps of peaceful, magnificent temples. The traffic is simply mad -did you know I got a Master's degree in Deadly Street-Crossing?-, the air is stifling and the crowds are ubiquitous. Bangkok is a giant that threatens you until you start accepting it. Then you can start taming it. Reminds me a bit of the Life of Pi. So, does it mean that I've already assumed that the tuk-tuk driver is going to rip me off anyway? And that sometimes I just have to order food and hope for the best? Yes. And well, I really don't care anymore.

View of the Kwai river

On the bright side of things, I got to see the main sights of Bangkok, I rode an elephant in Kanchanaburi, touched a tiger in the Tiger Temple -not particularly proud of this one though as it's pretty much just a business-, and met some very nice travel buddies with whom to share dinner beside the river Kwai and a swim at the Erawan Waterfalls (it comes with a free fish pedicure -highly recommended!). I also walked up and down the Ayutthaya ruins under the scorching sun until my shoes broke... literally! Somehow lost a pair of shorts when they were drying out on the balcony at the house I am staying, and had the mandatory Thai foot massage at Khao San Road to soothe my blisters. I sampled some street delicacies too, and my stomach has survived so far. Not such a bad start I guess!

Tomorrow I will be meeting my fellow volunteer and we will be heading off on the real adventure in Cambodia. I hope to be documenting the project if not every day, at least every couple of days. It will all depend on the Internet connection. I hope not to disappoint.