In Foreign Foreign Country

This is my second time in Chiang Mai. Last time I came it was my first time overseas. It’s interesting to come back after spending five months in China. Thailand, though still highly Asian, seems like a little taste of the west. This time I am not as amazed by the tuk-tuks and dirt floor restaurants as I am by the numerous white foreigners, western restaurants, and people who speak English. I love Thai food, but I was equally excited to eat Baskin Robbins, Sizzler, and Mike’s burgers. Probably the strangest thing is all the foreigners. I’m used to being one of possibly a dozen in the city of Yangzhou. Now there are too many to even stare.
There are obvious, pleasant attributes I notice about Thailand. For example, everyone smiles. Random people you walk by on the street, shop keepers, taxi drivers who can’t understand what you are saying – they all greet you with a friendly smile like they are glad to see you. I don’t want to put the Chinese in a bad light, but culturally they are just pushier and less friendly. I guess the blank stare doesn’t create quite the sensation of warmth that I find in the “land of a thousand smiles.”
And then there’s the warmth. It’s winter in Thailand and still 70 degrees. Buildings are open to let in the cool breeze. Tropical flowers and lush plants and trees hide cheerful birds. Things are alive and growing! Birds are singing! And no one is wearing coats.
It’s interesting to compare other differences between Thailand and China. Though they are both Asian countries, Thailand has much more of a Southeast Asia feel. The culture is sooo laidback. No one seems to be in a hurry. In some ways, the culture seems to have a lot more western influence, perhaps because of the tourism industry. I have already commented on the number of tourists. Yet there is not the frantic desire for development and modernization as seen in China. Politically and economically, Thailand seems to be much more content with their neutral, middle-of-the-road world status. As Katrina said, they seem to be more secure in their identity.
So in some ways Thailand is less developed. Many fewer people have cell phones. But bicycles are startlingly absent with every form of mopeds and motorcycles taking their place. There are many internet bars but they seem to service the tourists much more than the locals. In dress and manner, the Thai people seem to have adopted more western-like mannerisms. The Thai people have darker skin, browner hair, rounder eyes, and taller noses. They look more similar to Pilipinos and other Pacific Islanders than Chinese, I’ve decided. Also in Thailand, the influences are Buddhism are seen everywhere. My window overlooks an elaborate Buddhist temple, one of many in the city. I’ve already seen a lot of monks and novices walking around – always kind of cool to see.
It’s weird, though, to be in a foreign country that is indeed foreign. I keep trying to talk to people in Chinese. I didn’t realize how much Chinese I spoke (believe me, it’s not much) until now! I kind of miss the familiarities of my home foreign country. I think I’d miss it more if I wasn’t aware of the fact that it’s about 40 degrees colder there!