Reflections - September 13, 2011

This update is mostly about cultural aspects of my trip and not as many funny/ridiculous stories! I would say this is maybe more directed at my dad… Just a heads up!

I have decided that my comfort on the motorcycle is a pretty solid symbol of my comfort with Thai (family) culture. The first days when I was introduced to the “motorcy” (as Paw says), I was pretty uncomfortable and clung to Nong Not or the back ledge for dear life. As the first week came and I was dressed in my school uniform (tight skirt), I realized that I would have to ride the motorcy sideways, as many Thai students do. I was terrified and CLUNG to Nong Not and she held my arm the entire way home. Eventually I was able to ride sideways and just hold the back ledge but was still nervous, as I had to balance my posture with the weight of my backpack. After the first couple weeks, I was able to ride without clinging to the motorcy but I was still very conscious of my posture and positioning. I am proud to say that I have now ridden the motorcy in all weather (including todays rain storm), in all attire, and all positions (ask far as I know…) and I am not nervous in the slightest and don’t even need to hold on. The 20-minute motor cy ride through the village is actually one of my favorite parts of the day (probably because I think of things like this the entire time…it’s really the only time I am able to have personal thoughts).

Now, for the connection. My first weeks I was constantly nervous and always clutching to any comfort that I could find. As school started, I had to adjust to my new schedule and I was still nervous in most situations and always very aware of my actions and surroundings. As I got more comfortable with my family, I started letting go of some of my security blankets and was willing to open up and try to speak the language and integrate myself into their culture. I have now been through many experiences that I believe have led me to my current comfort level. I am still culturally aware and always looking to find new aspects of Thai culture but I am very comfortable with the aspects I already know and I have learned to relax in most situations and just let the, very different, Thai culture be exposed. This may sound kind of cliché but this is what I thought about my entire motorcy ride home today (in the pouring rain). I am now relatively comfortable with the Thai culture that I know (in my family) but when I move out into Chiang Mai and head out to the field courses, I believe I will go back to the state of uncomfort as I would if Paw were to take me out on the highway on the motorcy. But, I believe that because I have had this homestay experience, comfort will come sooner and I will adapt faster. HOPEFULLY!

Anyways, now that explained my comfort level, in depth hah, I have some other interesting cultural things that I have learned recently!

In Foundations we are discussing development…very broad. So, yesterday at dinner, I asked Paw what he thought about the development in Thailand. After finally understanding the question he said “bad, bad, bad”…many times. I asked why he thought that and he said that Thailand is trying to develop with a western mindset, which he believes is not applicable to the Thai nation. He says that the buildings and city life is not the way of traditional Thai culture, which is why he moved from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and eventually to Meh’s village (that she grew up in). He says this village has even changed a lot in the past 50 years. Meh used to hear wolves and all kinds of wild animals from her house (which is why her house is risen and many of the original houses are, as well). He believes Thailand is moving from the self-sustained way of growing ones own food and trading within the village. Paw believes that soon there won’t be enough food which is ridiculous because Thailand’s hot climate is ideal for farming. This explains a lot about the way I have been living with my family. I am lucky because I get to experience the traditional Thai culture that is may be turning into a rarity. I have obviously expanded upon Paw’s slim English vocabulary but this was the main idea.

Paw also explained that he hates to go back to Bangkok because of the pollution. He grew up there with 7 siblings in a small apartment. Many of his siblings are still down south but he rarely sees any of them. He says the Bangkok mindset is very different from the mindset here. But he says Chiang Mai is moving into a similar monetary mind set. Life in Bangkok is very focused on money (which accounts for much of the prostitution and trafficking in/through Bangkok…for many, it is the only way to earn money). Paw Peap is very wary of money driven way of life and dreads the day when it consumes Thailand. Although, he believes Thailand will continue to change and developing in this way.

I have also have some observations about traditional roles within the family here in Thailand. As I have noted, my family is relatively traditional. I have explained that Meh’s father is very sick and cannot care for himself. So, Meh and her sisters and brother all take care of him. Her older and younger sister sleep in the house (most nights) and someone is always there to care for their father. He is definitely a primary focus of the family. This is very different from America. People are way to busy to be able to focus completely on an elder person that is completely incapable. Meh does not work and her older sister is a seamstress and her younger sister is a masseuse. Both of which are not necessarily time consuming jobs. The women do ALL of the cooking and cleaning. The men (Paw and Lung Tong) have no part in cooking/cleaning/laundry/housekeeping/etc. When I asked how to do my laundry (at the beginning) Paw said he didn’t know and that Meh would have to show me. I have never seen Paw in the kitchen or clean up from any meal (in any way). This is interesting because gender roles in America are definitely much looser. Here, there are very rigid roles and they are very much fulfilled. Many of my male classmates aren’t expected to do their laundry or clean their dishes. I do all my own laundry and my job is to washPublish Post dishes after dinner.

These are just some of my observations…I could go on for pages!!