Little stuff, Big Steps!

written January 13, 2008

After my week of ‘training,’ I had the day off today to explore town for the first time. Being that I have never been to Thailand, or even Asia for that matter, I had no idea what to expect from this town. Before leaving home, I stocked up on my favorite bathroom stuff (and paid dearly for the extra weight at the airport) and am using it daily as if it were diamonds, fearing the day when I run out. Well, I ventured to town today….and hey, found a drug store! And they have Neutrogena stuff, colgate toothpaste, Oral-B toothbrushes, tampax…it sounds so silly but I cant tell you what a relief it was to just see familiar brands. A few days prior, I even opened my own bank account and now have a debit card from the Bank of Siam. So today was a big day. I bought some bandaids (cotton socks don’t breath well on the ole’ toes when walking in heat….fyi), some nuts, some hair stuff…and I felt like, “Hey! I live in Thailand and I’m just doing my shopping. I’m getting along just fine!” But unfortunately, ever wonder why all the super-bugs come from Asia? Well get this…antibiotics are sold over the counter! Got a sniffle? Buy yourself an antibiotic! What a scary situation….

I continue to walk through town and around the corner I go and there it was…westernized living right here in Hua Hin. I came across a huge shopping mall complex with who do you think proudly owning the grand front and center location…but good ole Starbucks. Yep, so I had to walk inside and buy a latte. EVERYTHING looked exactly as if I was in any other Starbucks in America….the menu, the display case, the tables and chairs. So those of you using the lame excuse that you are addicted to your Starbucks and that is why you can’t come and visit me…gotcha! See you soon!