When I started this journey, I only expected to be here for two years.  Three maximum.  Every time someone asked me “How long do you plan to stay?” I would answer them with “I just take it one year at a time.”  I never felt any compulsion to move home and even when I would visit, the trips became shorter and shorter each time.  However, over the last year, some unknown force has slowly been pushing and gnawing at me to move back.  I don’t know if it is loneliness.  Possibly being tired of missing out on important events in the lives of my friends and family.  Perhaps a need to get back to a place of logic and structure and Chipotle.  Whatever the reasons, it’s time for me to get back to the “real world” and start adulting.  I mean, I AM nearly on the wrong side of 35…

These last four years in Thailand have been so amazing.  I have traveled and seen and done things I never would have imagined myself doing otherwise.  Including Thailand, I have added six new countries to my passport!  I have petted tigers and elephants (*yawn* seeing elephants on the street was becoming old hat anyhow) and think nothing of getting in a van for 3-8 hours and taking a weekend trip to an island.

In order to wrap up my time here, I’ve decided to do a series of blogs about things I will miss and NOT miss about living in Thailand.

Miss: Eversummer.  I am from Colorado, but I have never particularly enjoyed cold weather or snow.  Except during the holidays.  That’s the only time.  From November to January 1st.  After that, please just go back to 80 degree weather.  In Thailand, even in rainy season, it doesn’t get below 70 degrees.  You can wander outside at any time in flip flops and tank tops.  Now, I have been here long enough to acclimate to the temperature, so I will actually wear jeans during rainy season.  With flip flops. And tank tops.

Won’t Miss: Baby Powder.  An add-on to the hot weather is that it is necessary to cover oneself in baby powder in a vain attempt to avoid heat rash and chafing.  I will not miss this ritual.

Miss: Driving a scooter.  Oh, how I will miss driving in Thailand…*sigh*  Being able to zip in and out of traffic.  Deftly maneuvering between cars.  No speed limits. Up on the sidewalks, against traffic, through red lights.  Opening up the throttle on the highway driving amongst big rigs and cars (who have also decided to lead-foot it).  It is a truly freeing and cathartic experience.  And so much cheaper than back home.  I drive everywhere and spend less than $20 a month on gasoline.  That’s like a quarter tank of gas in the States… that will only last about 2 days.

Won’t Miss: Thai car drivers.  On the flip-side of that coin is that people who drive cars in Thailand are, well, awful.  No one is really taught to drive here.  Sure, they take “driving tests” for their license, but it consists of a computer simulation where you click a couple buttons to decide if you move forward or brake.  And then they have you drive a car like 10 feet up to a line and stop.  Or you can pay 200 baht to avoid that altogether.  So, basically, a bunch of people driving cars who were never taught how to drive them safely, responsibly, or well.  Make sure you keep your head on a swivel and ALWAYS check over your shoulders before merging.  And use your horn without reservation.

Side Note:  I have lived here for 4 years and been driving for 3 of them.  In that time, due to my cat-like reflexes and superb driving skills, I have never once had an accident *knock on wood*.  In the words of Rainman (aka Dustin Hoffman), “I’m an excellent driver.”