Pattaya

My travels have finally lead me to the wonderful, chaotic, and ever so fish-enthralled Pattaya, Thailand, where the streets are filled with Mazda, mopeds, street vendors, and masseuse shops (insert happy ending joke here).  As usual these days, I'm away on business; working the usual non-profit conference and catching glimpses of the town and local cuisine in the evenings.  With my balcony out over the Gulf of Thailand, there is little left to be desired in the world.  The warmth, the hospitality, the calmness of the sea, sun day-in and day-out; what more could a girl ask for?  As it was Thanksgiving in the states this last week, I'll say I sure am thankful for the serenity of this balcony.  My oh my, where life has lead me.

During my meeting in Pattaya I was lucky to taste everything from Tom Kha soup to mysterious coconut yogurt shells; I held back no inhibitions.  We jumped in the back of a truck, altered to be a taxi, and drove through the downtown of Pattaya; a bustling, bold and unapologetic city.  My coworkers and I treated ourselves to full body massages and pedicures for $15, and enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast for kings at the price of $70 (mind you- we ordered 12 entrees...).  I sunk my feet in the Thailand sea and left with sunburned cheeks.  After the meeting was finished I took a separate voyage to Bangkok for a day, where my Taxi driver abandoned me on my way to my hotel, leaving me with no choice but to flag down a local Tuk Tuk merely altering my journey to a slow, steady  and rickety pace.  I wandered off from my hotel to the Royal Palace, a sight which may top my list of the most beautiful things I've ever witnessed.  The walls shined bright despite their lives of century old tales; an ornamental design covered in true gold, silvers and gems which goes absolutely unheard of in the west.  The sculptures and figures enticed, and were comical in my selfies.  It was a balmy 107 degrees, and I wore out quickly.

  

   

While my comfy entitled beach resort is nothing to be disappointed in, I feel like Thailand was a blast of a large reality check.  Do not get me wrong; I love the culture, the hospitality, the amazingly delectable gastronomy, and the chaos of it all.  Thailand is indeed a land you could easily find yourself bound to with years of plans and adventures to be had.  There is a reason the country is prideful of their roots, and I will say this should be honored.  However, the back alley story of Thailand is none too secret, especially when you're out wandering the streets in the evenings or working along side an aide volunteer.  Ignorance was bliss, until it hit me smack dab in the middle of the face; child sex trade rings, prostitution, extortion, drugs- all ran wild in the streets of Pattaya.  Then it left me with a mission and a goal driven by the sake of regaining some decent humanity to this world; do good, and help do better.  I'm sure I'll figure out what "help do better" entails throughout my years, as for at this moment my only main assistance is merely being nice to everyone, slowing judgment, and making donations of time, money and effort to causes.  But anyway, regardless of the dark corners of Pattaya's streets, Thailand was a wonderful trip which provided me with unique opportunities unlike any I have experienced thus far.  Until next time.