Having half my life in Myanmar and half in Canada, I never thought coming back to Asia would have such an impact. I really believed that Kuala Lumpur was close enough to what was once my home (and in a way still is) called Toungoo.
It really did not hit me until two weeks in that I really miss home. That's either Myanmar or Canada. I miss my friends. In this self-discovery, I also noticed that I really am a social and like familiar things. Having new and exciting things make me feel good and exhilarated, but in the end I seek the same old things.
So, here I am on my adventure...going around and visiting places where my friends are. My first stop was Bangkok (last week). And, leaving Bangkok was harder than I thought. I enjoyed staying there despite the remnants of the protests visible in certain part of the city. This week, I plan to squeeze Singapore into my weekend.
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I googled Toungoo and it looks beautiful. Some day I hope to find myself in Myanmar. A friend of mine is working there and continues to renew her contract because she loves it so much.
ReplyDeleteMe thinks you are having one of those down slopes of cultural adjustment. You know my answer: get a pedicure. Figure out how to be nice to yourself and give yourself a little treat. That will help you work your way out of the funk.
Take care.
oy, i had the same kind of feeling about being in Athens. i always find myself tying it back to Yerevan, the city I was born in. I came expecting a very similar cultural and living experience (and in many many ways, it is!) but when i encounter unexpected differences, i find it helps to think about the cultural significance of those differences and perhaps what sort of values or origins are behind them. as for the protests, i see the remnants here in athens, too! important city squares are well patrolled by armed police and mobilized army soldiers while fairly frequent public service strikes cripple city transportation on some days. but i suppose it's part of the adventure :)
ReplyDeletehope you're adjusting better in the days and weeks to come!
Cheers,
Levon from Athens
Not that this hasn't crossed your mind, but you are doing alot where you are and having the opportunity to travel to Bangkok and Singapore, when will you have those opportunities again? Yes you miss home, I can only say I know how you feel from other experiences traveling, (I am only in Ottawa for the internship), but when you come home you are going to miss being there, so continue to make the most of your trip, you will be so grateful for everything when you return to Canada and wonder why you missed it so much given the cool place you were in for three months!
ReplyDeleteThanks guys...This is great. I am adapting better and I wish I could stay here longer to explore Asia.
ReplyDelete