Five years ago the financial crises involuntarily and infamously achieved what the ecological debate still is struggling: meanwhile also ordinary people in my "Western Civilisation" start differentiating what "global" stands for and how it may impact on their daily life. Five years later, Europe (as an unifying idea of concepts) seems to be in its own, continued crises, fueled by interests of global (financial) players and a nebulous mix of national populism. Traveling about two weeks in Thailand I ask myself, who does still remember the
Asian Financial Crises in the late 90ies, shattering the outlook for Asia just before entering the new millennium. Today I find myself in bustling communities not only striving for a daily living, but also presenting themselves as a multicultural society that builds on and combines successfully traditions (like spirituality and culture) and progress (like education, entrepreneurship and technology).
Provincial capitals and so-called "Growth Points" in the Hinterland provide vivid examples whereto "Asian Tiger States" move forward. My way of traveling does not give me insight into state policies, nor public or private industry. I can see the flow of people, goods and traffic that never seems to stop. Products and services are on display, and though I do not understand the words I read their smiles and gestures. It is the entrepreneurial spirit that impresses me, be it informal organised or accounted for the SME sector.
I can find a decent place to stay for about 5 Euros - my own room including Thai toilet and shower, not many house rules, information for further activities, friendly staff - and each evening many small mobile food stands pop-up like mushrooms along the busy streets. Quickly the oriental spices and herbs dominate over the smell of noisy traffic, and though stands prepare food in the wok by order, they beat any fast-food chain in speed, taste and price.
Hey, I'm loving it ;)
Traveling as a backpacker - not being in that kind of mood and/or stress of "I'm on holidays" - does not bring me in a situation where I am jealous not taking part in the many touristic adventure arrangements that definitely do exist in a great variety (not only) in Thailand. Chiang Mai is known for trekking to hill tribes, elephant riding, bamboo rafting, climbing, "do-the-gibbon-flight", and many things more to go for, like Thai Cooking School and famous Thai Massage. Without knowing what exactly a
Road Trip stands for, I preferably stay at a place that comforts me for a few days and walk around with open eyes and openness to react. When I arrived in Chiang Mai I hopped on a TukTuk without knowing any pre-booking, and the few names I wrote down in Bangkok only helped me to find by chance one of them as a starting point to get rid of my backpack. Two days later I moved into a place I spotted on my daily walks to add a few days "hanging around". I know this feeling from my adolescence during my early holiday trips on my motorbike: coming to a place overlooking the sea, ships departing and entering a harbour, painting in my thoughts imaginary journeys and stories. It is about taking time yourself to allow the conscious use of your eyes and stories that pop-up in your mind are a powerful and rewarding gift:
the journey is the reward.
ps: for more
fotos from this journey
around-the-world click on the following link (at my Facebook page in Portuguese):
https://www.facebook.com/ViagandoOGloboEm365Dias/photos
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