Stories from Thailand. The Introduction.

Thailand became a big part of my life quickly and exactly at the moment when the intent was set for my first trip there. That was 2004, and four weeks of my life.  I returned the following year for an anniversary, but not one of the happy sort. A couple of years later I went back once again – in the mean time –  planning all the while for a time away in Central America, the following year.

These trips through South East Asia have remained some of my more formidable travel experiences having  shaped my future travel preferences,  intentions, actions, satisfaction and choices. Putting a backpack on and without any pre arranged/pre paid plans (see: showing up with no where booked to stay), Thailand has provided me some of my first interactions abroad, and within a culture that has been hosting travellers for decades.  As crazy as Thailand was, and it is………..it remains a great place for the first (or second or third) jump off for an extended vacation – travel.  Bangkok is the gateway to more than the east…..it is the beginning and ending of different peoples journey from far across, and from all points on the globe. People colourful, traffic and confusion plenty, order and extravagance personified, detailed and yet spontaneous……this is Thailand.

When people ask the obvious (see: any question about Thailand)……..I always respond:

“You don’t have to die to go to heaven, just go to Thailand.”

Gets them every time……but its true.

More than a few stories have come about during my travels to Thailand…….what I always experienced was even more than simply ups and downs.  I mean, the route less travelled is not supposed to be easy and that is the point…………however, when you first start this whole travel thing this  is the point, and a valuable lesson.  Many trips later, you can actually make it easier and better for yourself  (all the while being able to extend your person further and more forcefully, in a positive way)………..and that is the culmination of comfort , experience, people, and place………..this – for me – started  in Thailand.

I’m going to share some of my experiences travelling through Thailand – stories that interact entirely – even though I might not be able to make the obvious connection to you right away.  They will jump around a bit, and Im going to have to leave out adjoining details as so Im not writing a novel, but for all intents and purposes…..these are going to be true and transparent, funny and ironic, sad and spiritual.  If for anything else, the stories deserve the medium.

Im going to submit a new post once a week for reading pleasure.  Below is a great little overview video of Thailand.  It is not something Ive put together but the video does a great job introducing the highlights of the country in just over 3 minutes. Enjoy!

Ps. I know many people have been to Thailand over the years.  If you have an interesting story to tell (and you put it on paper), I am looked for outside content for these pages.  Just get in touch!