I have always wanted to travel to Thailand. But I knew that in order to live somewhere and be able to embrace the culture entirely, I would need some money. Though Thailand is known for its inexpensive living standards, it was still crucial for me to be able to financially support myself during the trip and ideally be able to save a little along the way. So I planned to find a paid teaching job for the duration of my trip. Nevertheless, money wasn’t a big factor or a significant motivator. I mainly wanted the teaching experience. I figured since I am taking another year off of school, I should probably build up my experience in the field I presumably would want in the future. Especially after spending tens of thousands of dollars, costing myself a year and a half of sleep, and causing my immune system to deteriorate because of all the diseased kids I encountered, it might be a smart idea to continue to invest my money and time in this same direction.
I first started searching online for teaching programs that would help get me a job in Thailand. I found that a lot of these programs required you to have a TEFL or TESOL certificate in order to be able to teach English as a second language. This certificate is very expensive to get but it can help you gain that extra boost against rival teachers when applying for jobs. I found a couple TESOL programs that would train and certify me with this certificate while accommodating my stay and a teaching job in Thailand. I picked the American TESOL Institute not only because it provided accommodations and a paying job, but because it had good reviews and alumni video feedback. The training program starts in November and my teaching contract goes from November and ends in March. Unfortunately, this timeline completely disrupts my potential to be a world traveler this year. Before I planned to travel to Brazil, Japan, and Taiwan, along with the Thailand trip. Oh well.
It was tough pitching the idea to my parents. My dad was skeptical about the country’s security because of recent religious discord between Buddhist and Islamic extremists. My mom thought I was going to rob her of her money in order to fund my trip (which was never my intention). But most of all, both my parents were scared for my well-being. My dad persuaded me to take self-defense classes. He also emailed me some funny 'what to do' scenarios he came up with. Sorry dad:
1st Example: you are going to be robbed by someone with a knife. 1) Take the sacrifice money out quickly (a few bills). 2) Drop some on the ground right away by the attacker. 3) He'll be surprised, take advantage! 4) YELL and break the hold and run towards crowd or store. 5) Drop some more as you run until you are safe.
2nd Example: you are getting robbed by 2 people on opposite sides, blocking your escape. Grab sacrifice money in two hands and throw money at both attackers. Run between them.
3rd Example: Make your money a weapon. 1) Fold the money around a razor blade, tape it to the money inside, leave the blade exposed 1/4 inch but hidden by outside layer. 2) When you get attacked, hold the folded money, pretend to put in attacker's hands. 3) Slash the open hand! Attacker will draw his hands toward his body in pain and surprise. 4) Keep your weapon and RUN but prepare to use it again. 5) YELL!
Better to not look weak. Even wear a belt with a knife holster (without the knife, the attacker will wonder: "What hand is holding the knife?")
The image of throwing money at my attackers (though it may be effective--I don’t know yet) seems kind of funny when picturing it. It would be even funnier to wear a knife holster around on a daily basis. I would look like a gangster in my small rural town. No one would want befriend me either because I’m intimidating or weird-looking. Thanks for looking out for me Dad!
My mom is especially nervous about this trip. After denying that I was even going on the trip and not speaking to me for a while, she tried to convince me to go teach English in a safer country. I rudely joked around with her by saying, “ So you want me to teach English in a safe country like Canada or England? Oh, that would be productive!” By the way, Thailand is considered a “some risk” country according to the travel warnings devised by the U.S. Department of State. This is the lowest level a country can be and the United States and Canada are countries placed on this same level. But she is still convinced that I will be killed, kidnapped, or will love the country so much I would never come back again. I have tried to convince her that I will be fine traveling alone by providing resources and relaying my own knowledge of the country. I accidentally let it slip that Hangover II was based in Bangkok and now my mom is convinced that I will be bargained for money, my finger will be severed off, or I will be kidnapped by pirates or an underground mob. Well fortunately, if teaching doesn’t work out in Thailand, I heard their human trafficking business is pretty top-notch. Just kidding!
For this particular program, there was only one more spot left for the TESOL training in Bangkok and I had to put a lot of money down to reserve it. After a couple of long talks with my dad, who gave me in-depth advice about potential regrets and encompassing experiences, I put down my deposit for that last spot. I’m actually an avid online shopper but pressing the submit button for this purchase was more substantial than I’ve experienced. I am used to purchasing books or furniture but I was purchasing the next 6 months of my life and that was major. I think I waited by the computer with my cursor placed on the submit button for over 30 minutes while my patient dad talked me through it the entire time.
Now after booking the trip, I am extremely nervous. At this point, I have probably asked dozens of people to go on the trip with me (some of whom I’ve just met). I am excited about the trip but worried to do it alone. I’m afraid of being lonely and lost in a country I have never been to and don’t know too much about. I am also scared for my safety. After hearing about the political unrest and the multiple bombings at public protests, I am afraid to get caught up in the wrong crowd or a particularly dangerous place. When serving at my restaurant, I had a conversation with a guest who lived in Thailand for a couple of months. She told me to watch the movie The Beach because it would tell me all I need to know about Thailand. Big Mistake! Now, I am afraid of getting brutally killed by Thailand’s drug and marijuana cartel, eaten alive by sharks, and forced to drink blood as my initiation into the Thai culture. Do not watch The Beach when planning to travel to Thailand!
But this fear (hopefully!) will help challenge me to the fullest. Exploring the country alone will only make my experience an actual experience.
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