Culture Shock
I thought I was prepared for culture shock… but I suppose that is impossible… or it wouldn’t be a shock. Arriving in Chiang Mai Thailand was sensory overload. The lights, sights, voices I could not understand, smells of wonderful food, smells that I had never before smelled and hoped I never would again, and the constant whirring of passing motorbikes had me standing in wide-eyed bewilderment at first. It didn’t take me long to figure out how to communicate, cross the street without fearing for my life and order food that didn’t burn my lips off! I loved Chiang Mai’s temples, monks, Khao Soi, ancient city walls and welcoming people.
Then we went to the Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand, along the Burmese border, and once again I experienced shock. I expected poverty but was ill prepared for what we experienced. I saw houses that matched my childhood vision of those of the first 2 Little Pigs from storybooks. But the residents were happy, proud and welcoming. They worked hard in fields for the little that they had, and quite often offered me samples of their crops, which they sold at little local markets. I felt guilty paying such a pittance for their wares, and never tried to bargain for lower prices even though it was expected. I tasted everything that was offered, though I must admit, I had the smallest “no thank you bite” of the slice of greenish-gray flubbery stuff that was proudly given to me by the fish lady. The armed soldiers at the Myanmar border, donning red roses on their lapels, were a surprise to me. My guide could see it on my face, try as I may to hide it, and brought me to talk to them.Their faces softened as they smiled and even posed for photos.
Bangkok was Chiang Mai on steroids! Hotter (I didn’t think that was possible!), more crowded, noisier, and completely overwhelmed me. All I could think of was that silly 80’s song… “One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble…” I opted not to stay in Bangkok long enough to try to get used to it, as I didn’t feel safe venturing out alone.
Hong Kong is AMAZING! It is even more crowded than Bangkok! There are 7 million residents and a jillion visitors. It is the most vertical city on earth, with more skyscrapers than anywhere else. I guess it would have to be to fit over 7 million residents on a mountainous island with very little flat ground suitable for building. Again, I started with the deer in the headlights look. But it didn’t take me long to figure out how to navigate the trains, subways and to explore by foot. It is a shoppers paradise with goods ranging from very high end stores like Rolex, Vuitton, Cartier to the night market with stall upon stall of wares, each wanting to make a deal just for you. But the experience that has been my favorite has been the silk dealers and tailor shops. I ended up splurging! I got a pair of trousers and two silk shirts, measured and tailored just for me – and here is the impressive part… completed in under 24 hours.
My first hour or so in every new location I think “What am I doing here?? I don’t know if I can do this on my own!” But you know what? I can. And I did. And it was everything I never knew I always wanted to do!
