Dear readers:
After the end of this long semester, I will be studying abroad in Thailand. It will allow me to have an opportunity to take a trip around northern part of Thailand that will illustrate my definition of road trip. To me, the essence of a good road trip consists of removing myself from a familiar place, and immersing myself in a new environment and experiencing new cultures and customs. A road trip will allow me to experience new places and to possibly form new perspectives through interactions with the local people and society.
Let me tell you what helps me to arrive at my definition of ‘road trip'. I grew up in Taiwan and came over here to Texas with my family when I was sixteen years old. I was immersed in an environment with different value systems and social practices from that of my own. I was able to gain better understanding of both my own culture and the American Culture. When I was in Taiwan, under cultural pressure, I had to attend additional after school classes and had to basically study to only for the goal of getting grades in the school. Getting better grades seemed to be the single goal I had. In comparison, when I moved over here, where my peers have a more diversified student life, it allowed me to realize that it is always not just about school. I was also able to gain a different perspective on interpersonal communication. I observed that people here tend to be more straightforward with the way they express their opinions. This experience made me realize that interacting with people with different cultural backgrounds and opening myself to a new environment would allow me to obtain personal growth.
This very summer, I will be going to Thailand with my fellow nutrition major colleagues for a nutrition study abroad program. The goal of the program is to learn about nutrition, food and health in Thailand as well as to understand how the society and economy impacts the children's nutrition in Thailand. The study abroad program will last about a month and a half. Since I will be in Thailand, after the program I would like to take a road trip to travel northern part of Thailand.
I will be traveling with three of my nutrition major colleagues: Proy, Drew and Ale. Proy will be our main translator during the trip. She was born in Thailand and grew up in America; however, she is able to communicate in Thai well. Proy has relatives in ChiangMai, a northern city in Thailand, so one of our main stops will be visiting her family at ChiangMai. We will be traveling via Tuk Tuk (motorcycle taxi), Thailand railway train, and public bus. The tentative plan is to ride Tuk Tuk from Bangkok to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market to Suphan Buri to Ayutthaya city, then from Ayutthaya city take State Railway of Thailand to go up to Chiang Mai city, and then arrive at last destination, Chiang Dao. After Chiang Dao, we'll return by taking the train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok to take the flight back to United States.
To gain more experiences and submerse myself in a new culture, on this trip I want to bring less familiar items, and relay more on local items I can purchase in Thailand. I plan to bring only basic necessity items like two or three sets of clothing, daily hygiene products, a credit card, and some cash. The cost of clothing and other daily product in Thailand will be similar or cheaper than here in United States, so I plan on buying most of my clothing and other items as needed when I go to the department stores in Thailand. I will not bring my personal computer, because not only would it be a hassle to take care, it will not be necessary as I will spend most of the time experiencing what the local places have to offer and a personal computer might distract me from completely immersing myself into activities in Thailand. I will also bring things that will allow me to record my experiences, like cameras and a journal to document photos, daily events, and the thoughts with each activity.
The total cost of the road trip will be about $400-500 in addition to the $5,000 program fee and $1,500 round trip plane ticket to Thailand. The meal costs there, according to the article in Study in Thailand.org, are cheaper for local food than western food, which cost about 100-200 Baht in Thai dollar (which is equivalent of $5 USD). To enrich my experience at Thailand, besides the meals with the nutrition program, I will choose to eat local foods. The budget for foods during the trip will be proximately $150-$200. In addition to the budget for food, the budget for transportation will be about 2,100 Baht (approximately $70). There is also an additional $200-$250 budget for hostel and various activities fee such as museum admission, elephant trekking, and water rafting.
One of the stops of the trip will be Damoen Saduak Floating Market. The market is located at Damnoen saduak canal and it is the largest floating market in Thailand. Damneon Floating Market is a traditional market that is comprised of hundreds of small boats that shopkeepers sell their wares from. It is unique to Thailand and a big part of the local culture. Most of the produces offered at the market are fresh vegetables and fruits. We will be taking bus from Southern Bus Terminal at Bangkok to the market. Once we arrived at the market, we will rent a boat for about 300 Baht an hour to go around the market and experience what it feels like to purchase the produce there.
Another memorable stop will be the northern city, Chiang Mai. This is where we will get to visit Proy's family and live with them for 3 to 4 days. Her family will allow us to experience their family lifestyle and cuisine. Chiang Mai offers a lot of interesting activities for us to experience. In Chiang Mai, we will be able to rent bicycles and explore around the city. The city offers more 300 temples in its city and outskirt (lonely planet).We will take time to visit some revered temples in the area. In addition, one of the great adventures at Chiang Mai is to do Elephant Jungle Trekking and water rafting. The plan for the adventure at Chiang Mai is that we will start the elephant jungle trek from the bank of Ping River. The trek goes upstream pass through jungles with bamboo trees, upward toward Lisu Hilltribe Village. We will have local lunch at the tribe. Then we will return by water rafting through Ping River. On the return to Chiang Mai we will stop by Orchid Farm at Mae Su.
The trip in Thailand will represent my definition of road trip as it provides a great opportunity for me to be completely away from adjusted environment and immerse myself in a new one. I will have to become more flexible as I will encounter situations that might not be expected. I will also have to be open-minded and open to information. Whether the experience of the trip would be good or bad, I believe it will allow me to gain appreciation of another culture the way I would not be able to from school or tourist site. Thailand, with its unique culture and customs, will undoubtedly leave me with memorable experiences and will hopefully allow me to experience the road trip I envision.
