“No, don’t go to Thailand! It’s too dangerous! Go to Australia and we will pay the flight.” – Family member
“Oh wow, you are going to Thailand two days after the bomb attack?” – Colleague My brain goes nuts. I do not worry much but nonetheless, I have to be careful. I do not often watch news so I have no idea what is happening in the world. I feel nothing when they tell me. I am calm – completely aware of the situation, yet feeling nothing extraordinary. Perhaps I am turtling, unable to take all the negative comments and feedback on Southeast Asia, a small part of the planet so many Travelholics would love to traverse, and yet, I am destined to go to Bangkok two days after the massive bomb attack on August 17, 2015.
I even read an online news article on a British couple being murdered on a beach. I insist my family that the horrid news is devouring them. I can finally travel as a solo traveler for the first time in my life, so I can be independent. No one will stop me. I am a small wild bud in a remote unexplored land, uncaring of the world around me, so I can live peacefully. I feel the breeze caressing me. I absolutely have no fear. I get sick the moment after I step off the plane. I cannot inhale the nasty strong exotic smell filled with Thai perfume. I do not trust the food. Yet, they are not so bad, but I still wonder what ingredients are in these dishes. Brainwashed from childhood, I must not rely on the falsified image that I have repeatedly being told; I must see the real situation all by myself. By the time I arrive at the ATM machine outside the airport gate, I cannot wait to get out and tour the new city…but something unexpectedly happened. The ATM machine says it is out of cash. What? No way! How is it that ATM at an international airport runs out of money?! That is absolutely nonsense! I want to cry. My mind goes blank, consistently blaming the country. I lose track of how many ATMs I have tried. I have no local cash. I end up having only about 5500 Thai Baht (about $150 USD) after exchanging from Japanese banknotes.
Miraculously, I survive my 10-day trip. I end up with only about 100 Baht left by eating sandwiches bought from Seven Eleven every day. The ham and cheese sandwiches taste great so I cannot complain. I feel sick upon reaching a major road, on my way to take the train going to airport. I cannot make it through, yet I can see the station, less than 20 minutes away. I desperately need rest. I am running out of water fast. I am stuck there, feeling lost. I wish I am traveling with someone. As though the gateway to heaven opens and an angel comes to rescue a tormented figure, a local man walks towards my direction and asks if I need help. Yes, I do. I ask where the closest Seven Eleven is. “It is only 5 minutes away. Follow me”, he replies. He carries one of my bags and guides me. He seems to be a nice person, yet I am still unsure whether I should trust him carrying my bag. I let him carry it nonetheless. Once I reach Seven Eleven, I immediately buy a refreshing Popsicle. He passes me his phone. It is his sister.
She asks me where I am going. She insists I should take taxi and get to the station within 5 minutes. I thank her as I admit I really have no money to afford the taxi. The brother buys a tremendous chunk of cookie and offers me, but I insist that it would be too much to accept. He then offers me a small Buddhist talisman. I accept and pray for a safe journey along with him. He later goes to the bus stop next to the convenience store but gives up due to the bus being significantly delayed and then goes to his originally intended bus stop, back towards the way we have first met. I dislike Tuktuk drivers so much since one of them lied to me and drove me to a completely wrong place. I dislike taxi drivers because I hate the fact that they unfairly charge non-locals at a much higher rate than locals. I must not be biased and judge upon everyone who I meet and treat the country as bad omen. Certainly, this trip has not only made me relieved from travelling alone, but also enjoyed travelling from the eye of a local, leading me wanting to socialize with both locals and travelers even more.
About the Author: Yoko Lu, born in Japan and raised in Canada, is passionate about traveling with particular interest in environment and welfare. She is currently working full time in Japan and hopes to travel full time some day.
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