With one foot in Thailand and the other in the Netherlands
Monique Rijnsdorp (54) has been camping in Thailand for a number of years for an increasing part of the year.
For several years now I have been living in Thailand for a few months and for the time being a few months in the Netherlands. The strange thing is: it actually happens automatically, I don't think about it, the moment I arrive in the Netherlands, I adapt immediately and I arrive in Thailand idem ditto.
Strange how the human brain works. Also the fact that I feel at home everywhere, no homesickness, no transition symptoms, I come in and immediately start with my 'homely' habits. Unpack your suitcase, make coffee, take care of food, etc.
Meeting with family and friends, who in turn find it very familiar and as usual. Actually, I just eat it both ways. Or rather, both ways, because apart from the Netherlands and Bangkok I also often stay in the south of Thailand. Do I then have no 'luxury' obstacles to overcome at all? Yes it is.
work
For example, I cannot commit myself to a permanent job, which sometimes leads to too quiet moments. It is not so much that this bothers me very much, but the questions in my environment, such as what do you do all day?, make me feel quite guilty and force me to think about the question: do I wear my contribute to society? That, and the too quiet moments at least encourage me to take some action.
I also always plan to go back to school and continue learning the Thai language, but due to the traveling back and forth, the visitors and the necessary visa runs, I keep postponing that. I still intend to teach English at a school, but here too there is a commitment.
I look around and have many ideas, feasible or not? At least I'm thinking about it and still waiting for the ultimate idea that might be feasible from different places of residence. In the meantime I mess around.
Contacts
New social contacts are difficult to maintain. You now have such a bond with old contacts, they can take a beating from not seeing each other for a long time. It is different with new contacts, such a bond takes a while to build. Gradually I manage to build up nice new permanent contacts, but as far as I'm concerned there are still not enough of them and sometimes these people also leave for other places.
Of course I also have contacts with Thai people, but there is (not yet) a real bond and I doubt whether such a thing can arise. Somehow they remain superficial but polite and friendly contacts. Difficult to get close to, especially since they usually don't express their feelings, at least not to a stranger and it's hard to tell from a facial expression.
Sports
Sports, for example, are subject to change because I always have to exercise in a different environment with different resources. The tricky thing is that I have to get into my rhythm every time with sports and unfortunately that usually takes a while for me.
In the Netherlands I canceled my gym because I'm not here enough and due to lack of other resources I go running regularly. In itself quite nice were it not for the fact that it rains quite regularly in the Netherlands and it is also cold. A downpour on my head and coming back like a drowned cat is therefore a regular occurrence.
In the South of Thailand it is often too hot to run and in the absence of a gym I limit myself to power walking and with what dumbbells frolic. I have to start this early in the morning, otherwise it's really too hot and I run the risk of coming back with a burnt head, sports, sweating and tropical sun are not a good combination. On the other hand, power walking by the sea - pfff you would be less depressed!
In Bangkok I have the luxury of a gym, wonderful, air conditioning and no shortage of resources. What is sometimes missing for me is someone who encourages you to start exercising if you don't feel like it or have fun exercising together.
Voedsel
Food also something like that, like every human being I am also a creature of habit and sometimes value daily routine. I am a proponent of healthy and delicious food and have also found my way around it in Thailand. For example, I drink fresh coconut water every day, delicious after exercise and healthy.
Unfortunately, there is no fresh coconut water to be found in the Netherlands and I really miss that. The same goes for papaya and mangoes in Thailand. Delicious that taste, just a little different in the Netherlands.
Conversely, in the South I cannot quickly go to the supermarket for delicious cheeses, olives or yoghurt without sugar, for example, I really have to drive an hour for that and then hope that it is not sold out. However, it is usually possible to find a new and good combination.
TV
In Thailand I sometimes miss Dutch talk shows, relaxing and listening in your 'mother language'. Fortunately, we missed Apple TV and broadcast. 'Unfortunately' with a slow internet connection or power failure and at that moment - some annoyance - we are forced to go outside 'again' (with a glass of wine) and give the evening a different interpretation. When I'm in the Netherlands, I miss going outside in the evening to enjoy the wonderful temperatures and I hang in front of the TV to watch the talk shows that I appreciate so much!
stuff
Which can also be difficult if you once again notice that you have left some familiar or necessary items in the other country. I thought I had found my solution in putting the most trusted or needed items everywhere, but I found out that that doesn't quite work or isn't always possible. For example, I regularly miss my electric toothbrush, the right charger, a certain piece of clothing (well, I'm a woman). The solution is obvious, just stop worrying about it and there is always something to think about.
No obstacles
I fully realize that these are not insurmountable obstacles or actually they should not even be called obstacles, it is just a realistic view of what (my) life looks like when you stay in Thailand and with your other foot you stand in the Netherlands for a while. I am curious about what will come my way and I like that my life is not already mapped out, it feels a bit like a second life with all the normal small and big joys and worries because they stay everywhere.
I have therefore broached this subject because the many stories and reactions in Thailand blog show that many people live in a similar way.
What a wonderful, envious story…
Would love to do this too, but unfortunately an expensive rental house in the Netherlands and a declining pension are holding it back.
Enjoy them there, greetings
This article is so similar to my life, 6 months Thailand 6 months Netherlands. My husband and I have a permanent home in both countries. The furnishings and use of appliances are also partly the same. So it's a matter of traveling for about 16 hours to see your neighbors in the Netherlands or Thailand again. In the Netherlands I use our health care system if necessary and in Thailand I enjoy the sun, beach and food. I feel lucky because I can choose where I stay. I am therefore not homesick for either country. So I'm not missing anything. There is only one wish and that is to stay healthy as long as possible. I am almost 70 and my partner is 60.
Monique you are literally and figuratively just very healthy. You are a mini cosmopolitan. you are very useful to society and an example for thousands of people who would like to do the same thing, but for whom concrete steps to achieve this are the major obstacle. you could realize a form of organization, set up a kind of commercial company where you can convince and motivate people to make the idea a reality. more and more people want to live your way of life. It has really become a niche in society. and you really don't have to do it alone monique. I am convinced that we could be the ideal team for this niche
Good afternoon Monica!
Freedom with self-responsibility is the same necessity of life as eating, drinking, sleeping, company, cuddling, being alone and following your feeling.
Accepting the past and having full confidence in the future, because you cannot change the past and the future does not exist. The future is a surprise. Just simply enjoy life. Following your natural feeling and stubbornness are a basis for this. Take matters into your own hands and never blame anyone for what happens to you. If you understand this you are a happy person.
I recognize this vision of life in you. Fantastic!
Monique, I wish you a lot of joy in life,
Hug, Chris Visser
When you have been living permanently in Thailand for quite some time, you often think that the situation you described is the most ideal. Of course this is mainly dictated by aging and the practical matters that are affected by it.
It is true that despite my 73 years I have absolutely no desire to live in the Netherlands again, but it is not inconceivable that the so-called 8 resp. A 4-month situation with all its advantages is still preferable to a permanent residence.
A possible accusation, eating 2 or more wallets, won't keep me out of my sleep.
Keeping both feet on the ground, keeping eyes and ears open, anticipating changing situations and everything
staying healthy
Have fun in any country!!!!
Nice to read... I would also like what you describe, you just don't describe how you finance this without (permanent) work.... I am tied to a job and can go on holiday to that beautiful country for a month ix times a year…
Ha contemporary and fellow fifty-fiftyer! Your story is so recognizable, especially that sport, all those resolutions, that Thai lesson, whatever you don't want, and that yogurt! My Dutch friends are devastated when I tell them that I drove an hour again for my sugarless pot of yogurt. But enjoy it when they are here!
Love those early power walks along the beach! And a bicycle also works wonders.. if only for the feeling! Enjoy this second life in this beautiful country!
Dear All,
Thank you for your nice, sweet comments and private messages. I am also flattered by the friend requests, but through my Facebook I try to keep in touch with my (many, smiley) friends and family and their daily worries in the Netherlands. For that reason, I like to keep Facebook private.
Relying on your understanding.
The story above dates back to 2013. I was pleasantly surprised when I suddenly received all kinds of nice reactions and thought where did they suddenly come from.
Until I found out that the editors reposted this piece.
Many things have happened in recent years. Both positive and negative as life goes, of course.
Bottomline is that my life, as described above, has not changed drastically and I still enjoy it, both in Thailand and in the Netherlands.
And my family and friends regularly enjoy with me in both countries, which makes me very happy. Because what is a person without family and friends.
That is something I have become even more aware of in recent years.
I read Thailandblog regularly and maybe I will also read your experiences here, that seems very nice to me.
Thailand is a beautiful country to stay in.
By the way, I do have a Facebook page: called Khanom Beach Magazine, in which I regularly post things that have to do with the beautiful town of Khanom. For locals, tourists, expats and all other interested parties. You might like to follow me somewhat through this channel.
With kind regards,
Monique
I am in the same situation, 6 months Thailand and 6 months Europe. So recognize me in your story, but after 9 years in Thailand I do have some useful tips to make your life even more easier!
At Basic Fit (everywhere in the Netherlands) you pay a one-time membership, and you can then exercise unlimited for 3 months at 45 euros. So it's my first course when I'm in the Netherlands! After 3 months it automatically ends, the membership card remains valid.
Coconut water is indeed tasty, but only healthy if it comes directly from the young coconut. A more than equivalent alternative can be found in a glass of water, followed by a banana.
As for all devices etc: I just have everything double, and I travel with 2 kilos of hand luggage and a laptop. . In the end it doesn't matter: you just take twice as long with your electric toothbrush, for example!
Watching TV with a slow connection is a horror. Two tips: Install Google Chrome with Hola vpn extension, takes up less bandwidth than other browsers. Alternatively, you can also install the Internet Download Manager (try it for free, then buy it for 22 euros) – this allows you to easily download streaming programmes, such as missed broadcasts (quickly), and then watch them undisturbed.
Finally: yogurt. Nothing is easier to make from milk yourself, humanity has been doing it for 10,000 years. Instructions on the Internet.
I wish you a lot of fun commuting!
I have been away from the Netherlands for 14 years, but I have never missed the Netherlands and have no desire to return. I have lived in Thailand and the Philippines and have been living in Cambodia for about 8 to 9 years now. In all those years I have been to the Netherlands once for a week, because I had to arrange something in person, otherwise I would not have gone. The only thing that interests me is the value of the Euro against the Dollar, because Dollars come out of the ATMs here.