I know that I repeat myself, but before landing in Bangkok, the only asian country I've ever visited was Japan, and while I knew, logically, mentally, that it wasn't the same at all, the reality of what encountered there was something completely and totally different of what I, more or less, imagined. Needless to say, shock, culture clash or whatever you want to call it made me fall sick after a few days of being there. Days when I've tried, without much success, battle the love of my korean roommates for leaving the AC at 19º, while I had the worse head cold I had in a long time.
Moving around in Bangkok is never easy if you are used to a certain way of doing things and, yes, in hindsight, I realized how naive I was. But I learned I guess, even from that first day, in a crazy bus ride that per chance brought me to where I wanted to go, The Grand Palace.
Thinking about all this, now, when I'm back, looking at all the photos that at I have now in my hands, after months of only having the rolls in a bag, is an strange experience. I know now, that my life is not here, that whatever I do, whatever path I take in the next months will lead me to a more gipsy existence, more insecure, more rewarding for me, less worried about things and material achievements… the form it will take is at the moment a mystery, but, I'll get there. One way or another.
Yes, Koreans have a fond, thoughtless love for AC (personal experience from all the Koreans staying at our hostel and it happened just today! Again!).
ResponderEliminarSo, so happy to see that you finally have your film photographs back, I am filled with excitement almost as if I anticipating my own photographs. ♥
It's crazy the AC thing, I get that it's a blessing in Bangkok, more so because I landed at the beginning of the moonson season in the south… but, my, 19º? I had so many battles with that on Malaysia as well.
EliminarThank you Katie! You are so kind ♥
just like you, i visited bangkok when the first asian country i had visited was japan. the city shocked me, too. but, as you expressed very well, it was a very educational experience. good luck with your future "gipsy" existence :)
ResponderEliminar(so now you're back? if i send a letter at your address will it find you?)
It's a crazy place and the traffic even more so, but you learn so much…
EliminarYes! I'm back for a few months, so the letter should find me easily! yay! post!!!
I love the words you've written here!
ResponderEliminarAnd it's so good to see the photographs, after such a long time!
it feels almost liberating to see what images I have now, sometimes I don't even remember what I shot ;)
EliminarThank you, Polly!
19 degrees is too cold!!!! i guess if i was in such a place like Bangkok i would freak out because i have so much anxiety issues but it is so fascinating to look around to new places...hope gipsy live goes well for you :)
ResponderEliminarhahaha, I had to fight against the AC settings a few times along the way, because 19 is too cold… ah, we'll see how this turns out :)
Eliminar