Coming home: not quite ‘same same’

IMGP2396As our month in SE Asia nears its all too rapid conclusion, our thoughts are turning to life on our return home. While it’s true every time we travel that getting back to normal seems to take no time at all, there are a few elements of travelling in Laos and Cambodia that have become habits and that we will have to  shake out of our system quickly on our return; for our sanity, safety and freedom. Here’s a few, and I’m sure those who have spent time out here will identify with these and be able to add to them:

1. Crossing the road. I now cross a road when it is full  of traffic, knowing that to wait for a clear road would result in an eternal roadside vigil. Weaving in and out of moving traffic is fun and exhilarating once you get the hang of it, but I suspect will attract displays of road rage in the UK.

2. Waving back at children. After a month of seeing children greet us with curious smiles and exuberant waves, it has become second nature to return the warm welcomes. If we start waving at children in the UK we will quickly attract the attention of the authorities, so we had better lose that habit sharp. Not much risk here though, as I can’t remember a British child ever waving at us!

3. Smiling like an idiot at everyone we meet. The genuine warmth in the greetings we have received from countless strangers is without doubt the most special memory from this trip. We have grown accustomed to receiving the largest, most smiley, welcoming expressions of kindness from old men, little children and street cleaners and have quickly adapted to reciprocate these. I suspect a similar smile on the Tube will lead to a very nervous response from fellow passengers. It may be worth a try though!

4. Not wearing shoes and socks for a whole month.

5. Eating a fantastic meal for under a pound and crossing a country on a bus for five.

6. Having an almost daily massage (a decadence that has been way too easy to get used to!)

7. Hearing almost anything offered for sale with that magic phrase ‘mister, only one dollar’

8. Learning that seven is in fact an unlucky number.

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About Andy Jarosz

Owner, 501 Places. Freelance writer.
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6 Responses to Coming home: not quite ‘same same’

  1. Emma Lovelly says:

    Fantastic article.

    After just getting home from India, I am having much of the same feelings.

    It’s also funny though how quickly you can forget all of those things and take for granted the ease at which you live your life in your home country. Clear roads, fresh air, streets lined with trees and clean drinking water are the norm in my town, but would be seen as luxury in India.

    Safe trip home!

  2. Melvin says:

    I had the experience of point 3. I was in Recife, Brazil for a week. The people were so positive & got me the same week, that when I was back in Europe sitting in the tram back home, I was whistling & smiling. You can imagine how the others looked at me in the tram… :)

  3. I went from SE Asia to New Zealand and was in total shock the first time I paid for a meal! Good luck with the re-integration. Really enjoyed reading about your travels.

  4. Dave and Deb says:

    Haha, so true. Crossing the road is a whole new ball game in Asia. And we are exactly like you, we just smile stupidly at everyone all of the time. At home people would wonder what we were on! I love it! Have a safe trip home.

  5. Megan Eaves says:

    You are so right about the traffic! It seems like every time I travel, I lose track of how I’m supposed to be moving across streets. In China, especially, the crazy traffic makes you so bold to cross a street, and I’ve had a few drivers honk at me back in the West! Happy New Year!

  6. Andy Jarosz says:

    Thanks for the great comments: I also forgot to add the constant cry of “Hello tuk-tuk!” and the idea that a minibus that is designed for 8 can really seat 18.

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