There was a lot to learn on my mindfulness journey…
Quickly I learned that you must have a scooter to get around here. Everyone has one, men and woman, young and old. No one is walking here. The motorcycles here are a little bit different than we used to see on our roads because they are small but mighty. The most popular one Honda Click had 125 cubic cm, but it smoothly goes more than 100 km per hour. It can not stop as efficiently, but here seems that no one cares.
Helmets are very, very optional, but I try to wear one, especially when I go outside my village. Petrol is half the price from Europe, and those machines use almost nothing. So, transport is virtually free. It enabled me to explore every part of the neighborhood, 50 km across, and to discover many small heavens that visitors are usually not able to find. Also, you can park and leave your scooter everywhere, no locks, no fear of losing it. It also goes for leaving groceries in front of the shops, your phone on the beach, and so on.
The calmness of the people
It is not as true in other parts of the country, but here, because it is a small community, people know each other, so they are not taking any chance. Recently, my friend, who was visiting from Serbia, lost her iPhone on the street. Half an hour later, I called this number, and the man answered and said, where are you, I will bring the phone. Well, this does not happen that often, is it?
There was a lot to learn on my mindfulness journey…
I am not saying that everyone here is a saint, but there are many good people. Even though in the recent time material things are here getting more valuable for many, there is still a sense of values that I like. Western people would call that a lack of ambition, you can call it as you want, but most people tend to work only for the day in front of them. Again, Bangkok is a different story altogether. Here, most local Thais have some property or land, maybe a restaurant or shop. The real working force is coming either from the northwest part, known as Isan or from Myanmar (Burma). The wealthiest local people are of Chinese descent, who came hundreds of years ago when this part of the country was a mining location. The ore is gone, but Chinese people stayed and became Thais.
Chinese influence and Farangs
This strong Chinese influence you can feel in religion and temples, but also everyday life. Of course, they don’t know a word of Chinese anymore, but they are keeping the traditions.
Foreigners who are working here are called Farangs, which is known as a not flattering nickname, but there you are.
Farangs are mostly working as teachers, managers, and in the diving industry. Some occupations are not allowed for foreigners. For example, they cannot accept cache in shops and restaurants. They must have Thai working for them. Anyway, you can not own more than 49% od company or land and house, but that is here easily avoided.
Thais and Buddhism
Apart from the highest admiration of Buddha and Buddhism, Thai also admire their king, especially the previous one. The king has mainly protocolar duties, but he is a beloved figure for all Thais. They also respect, and I can say “listen” to the police and army people.
This small village has five banks and excellent online shopping possibilities. I live about 2,5 km from the town, in the jungle, near one beautiful Waterfall, but that was not an obstacle for an internet company to install fiber optics cable and enable me a great internet connection.
So, this is a country with a similar GDP as Serbia, but many things are not an issue here, like clothes, heating, and transport. You do not spend the money on those, so you can say that it is cheaper to live here.
Stark contrasts
But, Thailand is a country of stark contrasts, New house alongside a bamboo one without windows, Park alongside garbage dump, internet, and illiteracy. Rich and poor living in the same neighborhood… It is Thailand for you. Astonishing natural beauty, relaxed people, and every step of wealth that you can imagine. There was a lot to learn on my mindfulness journey…
Living with nature
For me, the place I live in is ideal for achieving peace of mind, located in the jungle, a rubber tree forest near a small pond, but because five foreigners live here in five tiny houses, the yard has a fence. Fences are not usual for Thais. They even don’t have their dog on the leash, just a collar. Also, their chickens and ducks are wandering freely around.
It is quiet, and you can just hear all the different noises of the jungle and pond, birds, frogs, and geckoes.
I always have my windows open. Here it is still a little bit cooler than in the village or on the beach. I have mosquito nets, of course, but I always have a couple of geckoes inside, and they are taking care of any insect that accidentally goes inside. Nature is amazing. I learned how to capture and throw outside all intruders and not to harm them. Here you live in harmony with nature.
There was a lot to learn on my mindfulness journey…
I wanted to know more about this country and people, so I started to learn the Thai language. I found a great teacher, but about that, I will tell you more next time.
I hope these tales will help some of you to embark on the mindfulness journey of your own.
If you want to know more
If you want to learn more about things I write about, check out my books. See also what the goal of this web site is. You can check out my other post about mindfulness, and share your thoughts and comments.
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