Thailand

The more I travel, the greater understanding I have of the way things really are. There are excellent lessons to be learned from seeing the world, one of the lessons is that home really isn't so boring or bad. Home is like what I view marriage as; it's what you choose to make of it. In my recent travels I have found that there really isn't any perfect place that you can just pack up and go to and always be content and satisfied. That place disappeared with Eden. Man must now live by the sweat of his brow. In my opinion, It is therein that true satisfaction is found. As I said before, home is like a marraige. I do not believe that there is one perfect person that is predestined for each and everyone of us. Now, in this field I am by no means an expert, but my opinion is that you should find someone who is most compatable and work at becoming the "perfect" person for eachother, work to become eachother's one and only someone. Even so, I don't believe it's necissary scower the earth looking for that place with the perfect climate, with the perfect culture and people, at the perfect price. As I mentioned before, I do not believe such a place just naturally exists. I believe that with the right amount of work, patience and sacrifice, that a person can create that where ever he/ she may live at the present time. I do not mean to discourage travel by any means, if it is done for the right reasons (ie cultural immersion, a new experience, etc.). However, if the reason is to find that perfect paradise, I expect you could travel to every country and come home disappointed.

I've wanted to go to Thailand since I was just a boy, and I thought for sure it was going to be a flawless paradise. Thailand is dirty, and there are hookers everywhere. Much of the traditional culture in the cities has been swallowed up by the adult entertainment scene and greedy tourist ripper offers ( for lack of a better description). I was at first disappointed, but then I realized that no place I have yet been to has been as cool as the pictures, but that doesn't mean there's NOTHING cool about them. The visits that we took to rural Thailand were amazingly breathtaking, and the elephant tours were awesome. We went to a traditional play at a massive theatre in Bangkok, at that was one of the coolest productions I've ever seen. All in all, I'd say it was a worthwhile trip, it had it's ups and downs but it was good. If I were to make recommendations about what to see while there I would recommend the following:

The Floating Market in Bangkok

The Siam Nyramit Performance

Elephant Trail Tours

Chang Mei (North Thailand), I didn't go but I heard from a girl that it's vastly less populated and is more geared toward the nature experience of Thailand. Plus, the big elephant sanctuary is there.

STAY AWAY FROM PATTAYA

Pictures:

1. Thai Ronald

2. Girl at the floating market

3. Boats at the floating market

4. Lady cooking @ the floating market

5. Old woman at the floating market