The beginning seems a logical place to start, and although
Thailand wasn’t my first destination, it was my first solo trip and the start
of my love for Asia.
Having never backpacked before I spent the months beforehand
researching equipment, watching out for discounts and sales and trying on
endless backpacks to find the perfect fit. The general assumption would have
been that I couldn’t wait to get on that plane but in reality I was so
overwhelmed. Packing everything ‘strategically’ into my pack took me hours the
first time (more on my tips about that in a later blog) and even with my lack
of space I was still questioning if I had everything I needed.
Geared up and feeling awfully unprepared for the adventure
that lay ahead I checked in at the airport only to get stopped at security for
leaving my brand new pocket knife in there. I just about turned around right
there, convinced I couldn’t possibly survive Thailand if I couldn’t remember
airport security basics. Triple checking I had the right gate number my journey
had truly begun.
Arriving in Bangkok I must have stood out like a sore thumb,
fighting to get my backpack on at the baggage claim, wearing brand new walking
boots and looking lost and sleep deprived I did what any first time traveller
does, I followed the people who looked exactly like me.
Walking out into the open I was hit by hot air, pungent
smells, the sound of traffic and hundreds of people all rushing to get
somewhere. I started sweating immediately, feeling the full weight of my pack
and becoming more disorientated by the minute. The directions I had printed off
in England had seemed more than adequate at the time but now, faced with
reality, I was blatantly going to be getting lost a few times.
No amount of research can prepare you for the smells and
noise that Bangkok brings, burning chestnuts, piles of limes on the side of the
streets, fish being prepared for the lunch time rush and the fumes from tuk
tuks, the distinctive herbal smell that seeps from the Chinese medicine shops
and the constant shouting, selling and traffic rushing by. Now this is one of
my favourite things about Thailand, and Asia in general, but at the time it was
quite simply overwhelming.
I knew I was in the right location I just had to find the
building I was staying in for the night. Remembering that I was a young,
single, woman traveller I was suspicious of everyone, I tried to emanate a
sense of calm and control which, paired with my white skin and huge backpack
clearly wasn’t as successful as I had believed. Every person I passed asked me
if I needed help, ‘did I want them to show me where to go?’, ‘would I like a
ride?’ As I politely declined all offers of help for fear of an ulterior motive
I was losing hope I would ever find my hotel.
Alas after several walks around the area I stumbled across
my hotel hidden away amongst other buildings, restaurants and accommodations.
Thailand is a tremendously cheap destination, you can stay in hostels for a
couple of quid a night and nice hotels for £30. Although my overall plan was to
hostel, my first night I had pre-booked a relatively nice hotel just to help me
adjust to my new environment. For me this was perfect, it was exactly what I
needed to help me settle and re-gain my confidence to tackle this new culture.Over the next three months I would come to learn so much about Thailand, it’s language, food, culture and people- including how kind and helpful they are by nature, which would have been beneficial when I was getting lost trying to find my hotel!
There are so many stories to tell I can’t possibly fit them all into one blog! Do you have any favourite stories about Thailand or first time traveling anecdotes to share? I’d love to her about all your experiences.
Keep travelling,
Steph
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