My introduction to Thailand has been quite interesting and varied. I entered from the south into a reputably ‘dangerous’ area. I wasn’t quite sure what that meant but I didn’t like the sound of it.
Once over the border I was in a small town called Sungai Golok. My intention was to take the train to Hat Yai and then transfer out to Trang. But Thai time is one hour behind Malaysian time so I would have to wait for some time to catch the train. This border town seemed a little dodgy, filled with entrepreneurial criminals. I managed to locate a mini van heading for Hat Yai, about 2 hours to the north.
Communication abilities in Thailand are low and because signage is in local script it makes it hard to figure out where to go and what shops offer. It is going to make it hard to learn the language also because I can’t derive meaning and memory from local characters. So I spent the night in Hat Yai, after wandering round for ages trying to locate something that turned out to be miles away.
OBSERVATION [GENERALISATION] – Asian people struggle to read maps and always provide conflicting directions.
Eventually I located someone with basic English and limited map reading abilities who was able to put me in the right direction.
Days ave passed like dreams, rich and vibrant, beyond my imagination and ability to describe. My steady progress from home in the south pacific has led me on the most amazing journey of self discovery, reshaping my person from the inside out.
How does it end I wonder, when is the journey complete? The road goes ever one, the unexplored places beyond the horizon and outside experience. Is it a conscious decision or simply fate conspiring to make progress difficult or impossible?