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My crossing back into Thailand was evidential that geographical proximity bears no neccesary reference to cultual similarities, as the shock I received, was apparent:

-- Border crossing: Huay Xai Laos to Chiang Khong Thailand --

In the morning, we stamped out of Huay Xai and went across the river to Chiang Khong; the border on the Thai side. The friendly immigration official on the other side stamped our re-entry visas and arranged for two motorbikes to carry us free of charge to the bus station. The buses were all full and so we purchased tickets on the local bus to Chiang Mai. Seven hour journeys have become a thing of normality and we were happy to board the bus. What we did find bizarre however, was the reverse culture shock we were experiencing. After a whole month in Laos, Thailand (a developing country) suddenly seemed.... developed, orderly and industrialised. Jeez. Shops, roads, houses, banks..

Thailand; round two

Asha Patel
2006-08-23 10:40:55

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My crossing back into Thailand was evidential that geographical proximity bears no neccesary reference to cultual similarities, as the shock I received, was apparent:

-- Border crossing: Huay Xai Laos to Chiang Khong Thailand --

In the morning, we stamped out of Huay Xai and went across the river to Chiang Khong; the border on the Thai side. The friendly immigration official on the other side stamped our re-entry visas and arranged for two motorbikes to carry us free of charge to the bus station. The buses were all full and so we purchased tickets on the local bus to Chiang Mai. Seven hour journeys have become a thing of normality and we were happy to board the bus. What we did find bizarre however, was the reverse culture shock we were experiencing. After a whole month in Laos, Thailand (a developing country) suddenly seemed.... developed, orderly and industrialised. Jeez. Shops, roads, houses, banks..

-- Chiang Mai --

Which brings me to my next point. There had been none in Laos and it had been a month since I'd used my ATM card. With my pin number stored in an inaccesible part of my brain, and my Barclays card refusing to issue money, I was stuck. As you can imagine, this new dilemma had wonderful effects on my homesickness and extreme thoughts took flight across my hazy, clouded mind. I wanted to book a flight BKK-LHR. I wouldn't though and I knew it. That same thought had crossed my mind when I lived in France but if I went home, I'd live to regret.

Called the bank, kindly using Kat's Skype account to arrange for a new pin number. Soon as I'd done so, the old number ironically found it's way to the forefront of my pea-sized brain. Nice. Trying to forget the whole ordeal, we walked through the huge Sunday market. Any other day I probably would've enjoyed it but that day, the amalgamation of anxiety, heat, homesickness and fatigue were compounded by the hot, sticky, busy, crowded ...