The long road to a new identity
In this handwritten short authentic story, an ordinary Dutch man on the threshold of a major change gives us a playful glimpse into a crucial phase of his life. A real lived story, respectfully told to Thailandblog and truly taken from real life. He does not ask us for permission or even consent. Perhaps for a bit of recognition if possible or at least the patience to sacrifice those five minutes of reading time required for this lifelong transition that is so important to him.
A posthumous ode to the man I never knew
He had always been a champion at solving other people’s problems. In his family and circle of friends, he was the man you could always turn to for help. And he had the energy, the wisdom, and the talent to remove any obstacle for those who asked for it. But gradually and yet rather unexpectedly, his role as Samaritan, as counselor, as sponsor, as pillar of support, as superman without a cape, had come to an end.
Premiere: To the hospital in Bangkok
A few days ago it was finally time. After an earlier confrontation with a Thai dentist, now a cautious but personal introduction to a local hospital. Not a version with a resounding name, but one for the common people within walking distance of the hotel in Bangkok where we had settled for 2 nights as a stopover for our journey home.
The long road to happiness called Thailand
For those who are still young and working, the favourite holiday destination seems to be the ideal destination for a life after retirement as soon as possible. In the case of Thailand, sitting in that lovely sun every day and what in the Netherlands is once again a rotten rain shower turns into a welcome cooling in the tropics. Everything is and remains green all year round. No depression from falling leaves. The food is much tastier there than at home and costs almost nothing. Everyone is tolerant, friendly and carefree. And also very important: your boss has stayed behind in the Netherlands and you can never breathe down your neck again. Rest from work, rest from the noise in your head, rest from life as a wage slave in a cold and wet frog country.
But still, there is doubt when finally the somewhat elastic chains have been thrown off. Why not immediately torch all ships in the cold and pack up and head for the sun, mortgage-free? Here is an insight into the difficult consultation process that can precede such a decision.
Sometimes a plant from the depths carefully pokes its bud above the ashes. A green dot in a half-decayed world, a germ that will have to find its way on shaky legs, a place to grow into new life and new happiness. The pain of the disaster will never go away. 20 years of suffering, healing, courage, reconstruction and newfound love have passed in the meantime. We saw the unspeakable strength of a wounded nation. We saw peoples coming together to help each other back on their feet. This is a small paragraph from the great story about that cowardly attack of nature on the people of Asia on that second Christmas day 2004.
How Misophonia Can Ruin Your Vacation
After recently posting an illuminating article here with an extensive analysis of a range of modern man's own fears and phobias, the author discovered that he had omitted a mental illness from which he also suffers from his list. This much-needed addition succinctly corrects that omission.
The many confusions surrounding true love
Love has many faces. All variations have already been reviewed here, so nothing new under the sun in this story. Let it at least be a reminder. A warning for the gullible. But also an encouragement for the sceptics to sometimes take the plunge and especially not to close their eyes to possible doom scenarios. True words: 'It's better to die trying than to do nothing at all' (It's better to die trying than to live without doing anything).
Fears and phobias
Phobias have existed as long as humans have existed. Back in the days when we were still wrapped in bearskins and roaming the forests in search of nuts and roots, fears were undoubtedly useful. Behind every tree, a pack of hungry wolves could be hiding, and overconfidence or carelessness was usually punished with an untimely and above all painful death.
But nowadays you may wonder what the point of these feelings of fear is. In fact, in today's safe world they are sometimes very annoying and can really ruin your day.
Loy Krathong, when Thailand celebrates love at the dividing line between water and land
The Thai calendar has many highlights, most of which are definitely worth (actively) reflecting on. Well-known are of course the traditional Loy Krathong and the exuberant Songkran, in addition to numerous imported festivities: Christmas, Valentine's Day, Halloween, New Year, Easter... For the tourist and the not-so-seasoned expat, these are all days on which the population is seen at its happiest, namely when there is a party to celebrate. And what's stopping us Westerners from just partying along? Hanging that sour mask on the coat rack for a while and smiling along as if we ourselves once saw the first light of day under the warm Thai sun.
Faith and religion, themes that apparently always have to lead to strong reactions. But that does not have to be the case. In what follows, the situation in the Netherlands is placed next to that in Thailand in a peaceful, almost religious way. It turns out that there are not that many differences. If you conveniently ignore the time shift of more than half a century. Where does the reader find him or herself in this organically and intuitively told story? Can he or she absorb the analysis unmoved or does he or she still distil from the words a call for a personal crusade to put things in order in this Blog?
Dreaming of a golden truck
How the fear of Thai traffic and the dream of a brand new car come together in the clumsy attempts to shake off all the old traumas. But somewhere deep in the night, when no one is looking over the shoulder of the novice driver, things go horribly wrong. Will he be able to hide what happened from the world or will he have to live with the consequences of his reckless behavior?
Dog's life
My story begins in a ditch along a dusty road, where I, as a pup, struggled to survive with my siblings. Mother was gone, her milk dried up, and we were left, half-alive, fighting an inexorable fate. What followed was a journey of loss and strength.
Back to paradise
A four-hour drive from Hua Hin to Bangkok may feel a bit tight in a Thai taxi, but the friendly fare and the chatter of the driver make up for a lot. Don Muang warmly welcomes travelers, but the home front is also not without surprises. With unexpected inconveniences, familiar tastes and a loving welcome, it was a colorful return.
Naree, the other side of the truth
When I first set foot on Dutch soil, after a long flight and a mix of emotions, I realized how different life would be here. The warm welcome, new impressions and unexpected confrontations with old memories set the tone for an adventure full of contrasts. While I tried to adapt, my heart still pulled me home.
We have forgotten how to laugh
Laughter does more than just improve your mood; it lowers your blood pressure, stimulates the production of happy hormones and relieves stress. In a world full of worries and constant news reports full of misery, a good laugh is one of the simplest and healthiest ways to boost your well-being, even if it's a fake laugh.
Naree, a deep look into the heart of a young woman from Isaan
Naree tells her story, from a childhood in a remote village in Northeast Thailand to her adventurous journey to the Netherlands. With dreams of studying and ambition to become a doctor, she is confronted with drastic events that change her life. Love, loss and perseverance form the common thread in this special path to a new future.
The beachcomber who donates to the sea
The sea attracts and repels, a mysterious force that invites without promising. For a moment I did not become an adventurer of the water, but found myself in the rhythm of the waves. Here, at the edge of the ocean, I felt a connection, a place for forgotten thoughts and unexpected peace.
How taste determines the fate of humans and animals
A critical look at my own eating habits leads to a light-hearted, perhaps slightly confusing contemplation of tastes and preferences. Between brothers with fixed rituals and a Thai kitchen full of surprises, I slowly come to the conclusion: am I really an easy eater, or not?
Integration of the Farang, Thai naturalization
As much as I try, the farang in me is hard to hide. But during my weeks in Udon Thani, I try my best to blend in and feel at home among the locals. Sometimes it works better than I thought and I discover how much fun there is in a Songthaew ride or a street stall.
Herman, fishing for happiness in Thailand
While I was quietly enjoying my diet coke, an unknown gentleman came to stand at my table with the grace of an older panther. Before I knew it, he had taken a seat and turned out to be a loyal reader of Thailandblog. He wanted to share his special life story with me, from his departure to Thailand to the ups and downs of an adventurous existence.
A special meeting in Jomtien
In Jomtien I meet Dieter, a German expat with a turbulent past. What started as a shared passion for watches, turned into an adventure full of unexpected twists. From his life in Berlin to a flight to Thailand, and from the watch market to the fields of Chiang Mai. His story offers not only insight into lost dreams, but also life lessons about friendship, trust and risk.
Going to the dentist in Thailand: just do it or leave it alone?
I will kick off this anecdote with a fairly extensive introduction in which I will tell you about my experiences with dentists in the Netherlands and even the Antilles. Only then will I make the morally obligatory transition to Thailand, since we are on Thailandblog after all. For those who want to skip straight to that (rather concise) Thai passage, I will place a clear reference for that purpose in the form of a heading with the word Thailand in it. Finally …