Brights lights. Busy traffic. As a girl growing up in the city, all I’ve known of is the city life. Back at home, life is always busy: work, school, appointments, time, and money. Life moves fast in the city. So I didn’t know how prepared I would be for this Thailand trip. On our first night, we arrived in Bangkok. Bright lights. Busy traffic. Nothing too different. But as we flew to Chiang Mai and Chiang Khong, things began to change.
I want to focus on the Mekong School we visited in Chiang Khong, which focused on educating people on the preservation and sustainability of the Mekong River. Hearing them speak about their purpose in life was inspiring. Back at home, I never truly appreciated the natural environment. Honestly I didn’t really know what it was. The Mekong School and people in Northern Thailand have a way of coexisting with the environment. They flow with the natural pace of mother nature. While I experienced a glimpse of their life, I felt a sense of freedom that I had never felt before. I felt like I could breathe for the first time.
The same feeling overcame me during our 2nd home stay in Amphawa. During the night, we took a stroll on a boat to see fireflies. Naturally, I’d be freaking out about the darkness and bugs. As we drifted about the city looking for fireflies, I closed my eyes and simply listened to the music of nature. The sound of the paddle in the water… the insects buzzing around… the sound of my breath. This is what beauty is, and this is what’s missing at home. During this trip, I’ve learned to not only appreciate the the beauty and power of the natural environment, but to find a way to show others that beauty. I’ve learned that bright lights can come from fireflies and the moon and busy traffic from all the animals and organisms colliding into each other. I learned how to breathe for the first time.
Ka, "Bright lights, Big city" – Jay McInerney right? I liked that novel. I'm so glad you focussed on the natural environment, and that your response, as a city girl, was to breathe. Powerful writing. "I've learned that bright lights can come from fireflies and the moon and busy traffic from all the animals and organisms colliding into each other. I learned how to breathe for the first time."
Odd coincidence Linda! I've never ready that book!
Just reading your post, Ka, brought me right back to Amphawa, the night boat ride, the sounds, the smells, the fireflies… calmed me right down again – such powerful memories! I hope you take time to find green spaces to soothe your soul. Nature is a powerful healer and restorer. Be quiet, Be still, Breathe!
Ka – I just want to thank you for this beautiful piece. Every word you wrote resonated powerfully in my heart, and I feel like you captured a sense of wonder, appreciation and freedom that all of us experienced while in Thailand. I also felt like I could finally breathe freely in northern Thailand, which made me wonder how I normally feel at home — constricted, confined, rushed, stressed. I found myself thinking that there must be a way to take this sense of freedom back into our daily lives, or at least to find peace and solace in the world around us here. I've found hanging out in parks or down by the river to be helpful for me, even if it's not the same. It just helps bring back that feeling of connection to the whole world, natural and man-made, that I believe we all found together in Thailand.