Before coming to Thailand, packing was a hard task with the Holidays in mind. Although my room mate and I planned the things that we need, it was all so difficult to be limited with things to live off of. Being a newbie traveler, I had thought of all the possible occasions that I may need something, and might not have it. For example, what if on the plane ride I got very hungry, what if my luggage got lost, I must pack enough stuff on my carry on, and the list goes on. My check in luggage I was nervous might be too heavy that I might have to pay extra, but luckily it was 49.5 pounds!! YAY!! “Yay!” was no more the first couple of day since there were a lot of moving around. With a backpack, small carry on and a big old luggage, it was a workout every time we moved some where. (The uneven ground doesn’t help much either). This is a good thing, if you like to work out, but I don’t. Boo hoo! 

Packing
1) First of all, the check in luggage can only be 50 lbs. Carry ons (maximum 1 personal and another small luggage or bag) are not weighed, although you want them to be lighter.  I super over packed my luggage and carry ons, and had to carry everything around was quite tiring since we did move around a lot. 

2) The rule “Once you think you are done packing clothes, shoes, bathroom supplies, etc, REPACK by taking out half of the things you thought you need (especially clothes)” is TRUE!! It is a good idea to share shampoo, condition, lotion, etc with your room mate so only one party needs to brings it. I brought things (clothes) that I didn’t really need, or multiple versions of the same items. 
                     
 3) Clothes – Have a variety of clothes. Capris is the best clothing item I felt, or long shorts. Bring swim suits,

3) NEVER, and REMEMBER to not put “weapon-like” items onto your carry ons. Such as scissors

There are numerous things I wish I had known before studying abroad. I hope I can pass on what I learned to help prepare future students.

I wish I had a better understanding of what to wear and when to wear it. I thought I had to dress very conservative all the time. Turns out, it is okay to wear less conservative clothes during leisure time. I would also suggest giving yourself enough time to pack. This way, if you are questioning a piece of clothing, you have time to address your concerns with your professor. Also, listen to your professors when they tell you to pack light. You do not need a different outfit for each day. I would suggest bringing pieces of clothing that can be mixed and matched. Plus, there is a great possibility you will buy clothing with abroad. Also, even though the weather is generally warm in Thailand, it gets cool at night and in the mountains. Be prepared; bring a light jacket, pants, and other warm clothing.

To be above the clouds, the sun kissing my skin, and the breathing the freshest air I ever had in my life, for a moment, life was perfect. Being surrounded by beautiful nature, was very stress relieving. We visited a memorial for the King’s lawyer friend who died in an airplane crash on top of the mountain, went sightseeing, and shopped at a Hmong market. In addition, we learned about the last King of the Lannas, and the lifestyles of one of the hill tribes, the Karens.

Life is very simple in the village. They work daily for the things that they need such as clothes and food, whereas in the States we work daily for our career, and we can buy clothes and food easily. Electricity was there but very minimal, and free if you don’t use a lot. Homes were made out of straws, bamboo and sticks, using as much natural resources as possible. Showering a kid was simply in a big bowl, and entertainment was playing with a puppy. The little Hmong kids we met in the mountain were so adorable, they were selling flowers for 10 baht. Then they gave us some flowers for free for talking with them. I can definitely see the philosophy of “living in the moment” here on the mountaintop.

These little kind gestures, the bright smiles, the cool breeze, the warm weather, constant learning, gorgeous natural surroundings, and great people bought me such happiness. It make me re-evaluate my life. I rely on electricity as much as food, shower must be warm, and entertainment is costly (most of the time).  The people here can live without a lot of materials needs and these little simple things could make me so happy, maybe I can live my life a little simpler than it is (sometimes too).

Being here in Thailand as a Hmong American, I had many encounters where someone starts speaking Thai to me, and I just nod my head and smile, not understanding a thing. Funny thing, I mistaken other Thai’s to be Hmong, or Hmong to be Thai too. I find myself searching for interactions with Hmong and wishing I can speak more Thai also.

One of my first encounters with Hmong people here on this trip was at the Sunday Market our first night in Chiang Mai. We had a lively chat, then again with other Hmong people at the Night Markets. Then luckily again on the mountaintops, at the markets and at the restaurant where kids were selling flowers. Also at the Hmong New Year, we met some Hmong people. It’s pretty awesome, the instant connection one feels when there is something that is similar.

In many cases I wished I had more Thai vocabulary. During the home stay, communication was a little rough, but body language and a little Charades helped out with basic conversations. When we were talking with our Chaing Rai University buddies, I might have gotten super excited and asked a lot of questions, because it was great hanging out with someone my age. We talked a little bit, but she apologizedbecause she could not communicate with me well. I said no need to apologize because she knows more English than I know Thai. Man, I really wished I knew more Thai so I can get to know these people more.

I have talked to some one who traveled to Italy, and she told me something that I can really relate to here. She said that when we (American) travel somewhere, you feel like the country adapts to you, but why should they. You are visiting their country and to an extent I can relate to this. For example the language. They speak such great English, compare to me, I probably know five words in Thai. That’s is one thing I noticed which is almost like a privilege . Although I felt that our group did well with dress codes, being respectful and trying to communicate with others in Thai. 

For my leisure time, I sure did spend a lot of time at the market buying souvenirs for my friends and family members. Since we stayed in Chiang Mai for a while, I spent a lot of time at Chiang Mai’s Sunday and Night markets. Here was where I spent the most money. On the first day there, I was not as experience thus bought the first things I thought I liked. Little did I know there were others things similar if not cuter than the things I bought in a rush and were at a better price without the bargaining!! The items sold at the many booths were somewhat similar and sometimes the same thing, thus is sometimes takes a little cruising first. I noticed this market didn’t have many price signs, and prices were given at a higher price for bargaining. They provided entertainment for the New Year’s count down but after there wasn’t any.

In contrast, the Chiang Rai’s Market had stages with live performances. It was smaller but vendors had a wide variety of things. One thing that was different was there were more price signs here. When I spoke to some of them, most could not speak English as well as those in Chiang Mai. I was thinking maybe having signs was due to the language barriers or since it was smaller to attract people more with the prices. The market here was not as packed and was easy to move around. I also found myself not bargaining here as much as I did in Chiang Mai due to the price signs.

Bangkok’s Weekend Market was HUGE! I didn’t get the chance to visit it all but the small portion that I did cover I thought was a mix of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. I didn’t see any live performances and it had prices but it was a little higher, thus bargaining was plausible here. The items here were more mainstream, and less intricate tribal designs and such.

We hit another market on the outskirts of Bangkok on the last day in Thailand. This was my kind of place, sadly I was on the last of my bahts and too much work to exchange anymore money. In a way, I am glad I was not here long or my bank account would have gone negative! It had the cutest clothes and shoes!! Due the many variety of clothes seen, this market was targeted towards the younger generation rather than tourists. The prices were the least out of all the markets I have seen and thus I think the prices were pretty fixed. It was a rather good shopping experience for me there. I was really content with my buys here.

The whole shopping experience was definitely a great therapy after a brain cell damaging semester. I have to say, the last market in Bangkok was probably my favorite. I thought the prices were either reasonable or really good deals. There was a lot to look at, not too crowded, a good size market, and had lot of cute things. Although I did like the live music and the more cultural souvenirs in the smaller cities also. All in all, I do believe anywhere I travel to, market big or small, shopping will always be one of my favorite things to do.