My Apple Juice
Originally posted May 6th, 2015
Just as Sprite with Zesta crackers is my go-to diet when I have the flu, apple juice is my drink of choice when I’m flying high in the sky. It’s largely strange because I don’t drink apple juice really ever during normal life. I actually cannot think of the last time I drank a glass of apple juice when I wasn’t on an airplane, but for some reason, it’s my comfort drink when I’m at high elevations. It draws me towards it; it calls my name; it begs me to take a sip. Thailand is my apple juice of Asia. It calls me home; it settles my mind; it’s so unpredictable it’s predictable. That’s how I felt each time I left Thailand to go explore another country. Not only did it take a few days of mental preparation, but also a pit of uncomfortableness that I never felt in Thailand. As I was exploring the streets of Thailand on my last morning, I was lucky enough to take in so many of the reasons why I love Thailand. My cab driver bought me a water on the way to the airport. The passport stamper at customs called me beautiful. I got complimented for reppin’ my school t-shirt. & I had my last Thai conversation in laughter with a hilarious security worker. My last memories in Thailand are the ones that stick with me, and they were just how I wanted them to be. I was served apple juice truly when I needed it most. I will miss this beautiful country.
I've been home for about 74 hours now (& I still haven't washed my hair from Thailand). I can't believe just 4 days ago I was rollin' up to Thai markets, using Bangkok sky trains, and eating rice w/chicken. It already seems so long ago. A new chapter of my life is ahead, but that's not to disregard the amazing chapter I have added to my life these past 7 months. Thanks Thailand and everyone within for all of the memories, lessons, perspectives, and patience you taught me. No matter how many dogs try to chase me away, you will always be my second home. I came to you because of the Pinterest pictures, but brought back with me so many more priceless riches than I could have ever imagined.
Quite ironically, the things I came to Thailand for or left America for are some of the very reasons I’m most excited to return. Like hot showers, below 100F weather, dryers for my laundry, a giant bed with a mattress, a kitchen where cooking possibilities are endless. I don’t consider myself a particularly high maintenanced kinda girl, but I’m actually scared to open my backpack when I get home because I shoved all my backpacking clothes in a garbage bag and said see ya.
Time to get acclimated with my American Girl lifestyle again. I had to re-learn how to drive car, flush toilet paper, use toilet paper (JK), count US dollars, eat cheese (work in progress), American sized portions, feeling full, a kitchen, candles, comfortable beds, smelling good, not sweating 24/7, etc etc. I could go on forever because pretty much everything I look at or do or go is something completely out of fit with my Thai lifestyle. It's strange having "luxury" back in my life and it's strange that I now consider my American life "luxury". I never considered the way I live in America luxurious; I considered it fortunate and comfortable, but not over-the-top. The first time I looked at my closet and all of the choices, I legit almost lost it. I still can't look at my closet at a whole. I have to know which shirt I am grabbing before I dive into my drawers or closet. It's all a work in progress. I wandered the grocery store aisles for about an hour the other day. I bought 4 things. The liquor store wine selection was an entire field of new opportunities. The worker for sure didn't believe my I.D. because I looked like a kid in a candy store as I crawled through the aisles.
My stomach is definitely not adjusted to all the changes either. I am slowly introducing new food and mostly playing is safe with the oatmeals and breads for now. My sleep schedule actually isn't doing too bad either. 5:30-6 am is just a common time for me to start my day. Each and every day I'm getting more accustomed to the ease of my old life, but not sure how accepting I am of it yet. I'm sure it will soon just feel normal to me and I won't even think about the option of having 15 brands of 1 thing at the grocery store, but for now, it's strange and foreign and I'm skeptical about it.
I need some apple juice.
"Time is just a measure of waiting and distance is just a measure of how
connected you are even at its greatest." -Swirly
P.S. Shout out to the fam for waking up @ 4am to pick up my hopeless self on the airports curb. My boys are just a few inches taller and a few jokes funnier.
