Living in Bangkok
Hello!
Living in Bangkok is definitely much different than living in Baltimore County. These differences are what has changed me to become a more adventurous person who is willing to try new things.
For starters, I have never personally liked cities or night time. Being from Baltimore, and frequenting New York City often, I have never really liked walking around or hanging out in the cities at night. For me, night time has always been "stay at home time." While you may argue that these sentiments are justified with me being from Baltimore, I also don't necessarily feel safe at night in Manhattan either, even though it is considered a safe city in comparison.
In Bangkok however, for whatever reason, I do feel pretty safe walking in the streets at night, and I actually quite enjoy it. This is probably because the streets in Bangkok are always really lively, but especially at night once everyone is off work.
The streets are lit with the glow of the many food stands adorning the streets, and there is always a lively night market somewhere in the area. At night, the city just bustles to life. I have avoided staying out too late in Baltimore so I can't actually tell if this happens there too, and I also don't go out much at night in New York, even though the one time I did it was surprisingly pretty dead (an actual New Yorker told me that I was probably just not in the right zone though).
Due to this, I like to think that Bangkok has made me a more adventurous person because now I bravely walk the streets at night when in the U.S. I wouldn't dare. This may also be in part to my foreigner status though; sometimes as a foreigner, we may feel that we're invincible just because we are strangers and the local life doesn't necessarily "involve us" so to speak. One thing for sure, though, is that Bangkok has made me enjoy nightlife, while before it scared me a little bit.
In addition, prior to coming to Bangkok, I usually didn't like doing anything by myself. However, I think the excitement of the big city got to me because I have been doing more things by myself now than I ever have in my entire life. For example, I have walked to the supermarket by myself, and I have also gone out to eat by myself.
Going out to eat by myself definitely has been challenging though, mainly because of the stigma that Americans have about people eating by themselves. When I have gone out to eat with friends, however, I have noticed that a lot of people here in Thailand eat by themselves. This has made me feel better about eating alone, however, it is still something that I need to work on.
Speaking of food, Thailand has also made try new things which I never would've had the chance to try in the U.S. For example, a couple of weeks ago, I went to the iconic Khao San Road and had a scorpion there. I also tried a cricket before, in a night market. Night markets in Bangkok are the perfect opportunity to try new things. I still have many other new things to try though, like a crocodile from Khao San Road.
Here in Bangkok, I have found a strange peace and sense of liberty which I haven't been able to find in the U.S. For example, as I mentioned earlier, I love strolling around the streets of Bangkok and seeing everything around me. I don't think I will ever get tired of this culture, and there is only more to learn.
Living in Bangkok is definitely much different than living in Baltimore County. These differences are what has changed me to become a more adventurous person who is willing to try new things.
For starters, I have never personally liked cities or night time. Being from Baltimore, and frequenting New York City often, I have never really liked walking around or hanging out in the cities at night. For me, night time has always been "stay at home time." While you may argue that these sentiments are justified with me being from Baltimore, I also don't necessarily feel safe at night in Manhattan either, even though it is considered a safe city in comparison.
In Bangkok however, for whatever reason, I do feel pretty safe walking in the streets at night, and I actually quite enjoy it. This is probably because the streets in Bangkok are always really lively, but especially at night once everyone is off work.
The streets are lit with the glow of the many food stands adorning the streets, and there is always a lively night market somewhere in the area. At night, the city just bustles to life. I have avoided staying out too late in Baltimore so I can't actually tell if this happens there too, and I also don't go out much at night in New York, even though the one time I did it was surprisingly pretty dead (an actual New Yorker told me that I was probably just not in the right zone though).
Due to this, I like to think that Bangkok has made me a more adventurous person because now I bravely walk the streets at night when in the U.S. I wouldn't dare. This may also be in part to my foreigner status though; sometimes as a foreigner, we may feel that we're invincible just because we are strangers and the local life doesn't necessarily "involve us" so to speak. One thing for sure, though, is that Bangkok has made me enjoy nightlife, while before it scared me a little bit.
In addition, prior to coming to Bangkok, I usually didn't like doing anything by myself. However, I think the excitement of the big city got to me because I have been doing more things by myself now than I ever have in my entire life. For example, I have walked to the supermarket by myself, and I have also gone out to eat by myself.
Going out to eat by myself definitely has been challenging though, mainly because of the stigma that Americans have about people eating by themselves. When I have gone out to eat with friends, however, I have noticed that a lot of people here in Thailand eat by themselves. This has made me feel better about eating alone, however, it is still something that I need to work on.
Speaking of food, Thailand has also made try new things which I never would've had the chance to try in the U.S. For example, a couple of weeks ago, I went to the iconic Khao San Road and had a scorpion there. I also tried a cricket before, in a night market. Night markets in Bangkok are the perfect opportunity to try new things. I still have many other new things to try though, like a crocodile from Khao San Road.
Here in Bangkok, I have found a strange peace and sense of liberty which I haven't been able to find in the U.S. For example, as I mentioned earlier, I love strolling around the streets of Bangkok and seeing everything around me. I don't think I will ever get tired of this culture, and there is only more to learn.
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