After a 3 hour bus ride in a weekly air-conditioned bus I arrived in Nakorn Ratchasima, also known as Korat. Surprisingly, it was a little bit of a culture shock for me, mostly because the people here have been so incredibly friendly and nice.
I think part of the reason is that I am one of the few white people in town. I saw about 5 other farang, but that was at a shopping mall. In the 6 hours I have been here, those are the only non-thai faces I have seen. Because of this everyone stares at me as I walk by.
Not a half-hour goes by without someone (young/old, male/female) trying to talk to me. One old man grabbed my hand as I walked by and said, "What is your name?" His friends looked on and smiled as he told me in some language that sounded a little bit like English that he lived in Los Angeles for two years (I think). Another time four young guys were walking down the street towards me and one turned to me with arms out saying, "Welcome to Nakorn Ratchasima!" Surprising, yet... for a lack of a better word, welcoming!
Despite traveling alone, how could I possibly be lonely here with everyone talking to me all day?
Extremely different from the welcoming or non-welcoming closed and open arms here at home. Are we too busy not to accept outsiders, or are we too afraid? Unfortunately, I believe it is the latter of the two.
You're not alone!!! I'm there with you in spirit!!!
Love you!!
P.S. Say hello for me!!! haha!!
Yeah, my friend Rupert, after getting back to the US from his trip around the world, said that he is finding that Americans are rude and selfish compared to the people he met other places in the world. Unfortunately, I would have to agree.