Saturday, January 26, 2013

Goodbye Thailand

So I have officially left Thailand after three month. I am proud to say I have kept up with my training regularly except the time when I was really sick for three days; other than that one time, I have gone to training everyday almost religiously for 5 hours a day. Muay Thai was definitely tough, but I am happy I pulled through and learned some really useful self defense techniques.

Unfortunately, because of my constant fear of drowning. I chickened out in the end and didn't actually do the last thing on my Thailand bucket list - scuba diving. With that being said, I definitely plan on doing it one day.

All in all, I am really glad I did this Thailand trip. It has taught me a lot as a person both physically and mentally (since I had so much free time on my hands, I read a lot in Thailand). And it has opened my eyes to yet another side of the world that we live in.

After Thailand, I am beginning to appreciate my own circumstances as a Canadian, a University graduate and a member of the privileged class who can afford to travel. Just as an example, the Thai fighters at the camp train even more than the Farangs (foreigners - who usually do 5 hours a day). The Nak Muay (Thai fighters) fight regularly for a measly sum and risk injury day in a day out. But that is one of the the only choices they have out of abject poverty. On my daily runs I pass by Thai slums with houses  built by sheets of metal and plastic cobbled together. On that same run I also pass by million dollar mansions, some of which stand right opposite to the slums. It really puts things into perspective and shows a stark contrast between the haves and have nots.

Peace from Phuket.

No comments:

Post a Comment