Coming to Thailand has introduced me to a lot of "firsts." I rode an elephant for the first time, got face-to-face with monkeys for the first time, and lit off a Chinese lantern for the first time. However, two huge firsts that have occurred over here were my first multi-day music festival and missing Christmas with my family.
Wonderfruit Festival was from Dec 19 to Dec 21 in Pattaya, just about 2 hours southeast of Bangkok. This was the festival's first year happening (see! Firsts all around). The festival was based around a "no trace left behind" philosophy, and was geared towards promoting living a sustainable, healthy life-style. The food was simply superb (cheese-steak cheeseburger! WHA?!), the atmosphere was the most relaxing, and the music was beyond compare. I hadn't heard of any of the performers whatsoever, but being introduced to new music was one of the best parts of the entire festival. We watched groups like Fat Freddy's Drop, T-Bone, Woodkid, and other smaller acts and DJs. My absolute favorite group was called Little Dragon. They put on an absolutely amazing performance and was so full of energy. Music and art was everywhere you turned, and we met new faces every day that we're still in contact with today. I couldn't have asked for a better festival to have been my "first," and I definitely can't wait for my next festival! Bonnaroo, Coachella, Electric Forest, or Firefly anyone?
Wonderfruit Festival was from Dec 19 to Dec 21 in Pattaya, just about 2 hours southeast of Bangkok. This was the festival's first year happening (see! Firsts all around). The festival was based around a "no trace left behind" philosophy, and was geared towards promoting living a sustainable, healthy life-style. The food was simply superb (cheese-steak cheeseburger! WHA?!), the atmosphere was the most relaxing, and the music was beyond compare. I hadn't heard of any of the performers whatsoever, but being introduced to new music was one of the best parts of the entire festival. We watched groups like Fat Freddy's Drop, T-Bone, Woodkid, and other smaller acts and DJs. My absolute favorite group was called Little Dragon. They put on an absolutely amazing performance and was so full of energy. Music and art was everywhere you turned, and we met new faces every day that we're still in contact with today. I couldn't have asked for a better festival to have been my "first," and I definitely can't wait for my next festival! Bonnaroo, Coachella, Electric Forest, or Firefly anyone?
Another major first here in Thailand was me missing Christmas with my family for the first time. I obviously knew I was going to be missing both Thanksgiving and Christmas when I came here, but I didn't realize how hard it really was going to be. As a family, we had said that since Hayley has missed one Christmas, I was allowed to miss one.
Christmas was definitely weird here. To me, Christmas isn't about the gifts and such, but more about the beauty, the spirit, and being around the ones you love no matter where you are. Christmas Eve was the big "farang" dinner. We dressed up nicely and went out to a restaurant where I was finally able to have a decent glass of wine (or two.) Being around the friends who have become so close to me and making new friends all in one night reminded me that Christmas doesn't have to be exactly home to be celebrated. I had school on Christmas day where I had to give a midterm to my M3's. I was heartbroken to do such a thing, but there was nothing I could do. The beginning of the day started with a wonderful assembly where a lot of the Sa-Nguan Ying staff sang Jingle Bell Rock and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. It was a jolly way to start off the day, and we had so much fun sharing our tradition. Even Thai Santa showed up! Later that night, some of our friends came over to Yoo Dee Mee Sook where we ordered pizza, watched Elf, and reveled in each other's company. It wasn't exactly the Christmas I'm used to, but my first Christmas without my family couldn't have been better.
Christmas was definitely weird here. To me, Christmas isn't about the gifts and such, but more about the beauty, the spirit, and being around the ones you love no matter where you are. Christmas Eve was the big "farang" dinner. We dressed up nicely and went out to a restaurant where I was finally able to have a decent glass of wine (or two.) Being around the friends who have become so close to me and making new friends all in one night reminded me that Christmas doesn't have to be exactly home to be celebrated. I had school on Christmas day where I had to give a midterm to my M3's. I was heartbroken to do such a thing, but there was nothing I could do. The beginning of the day started with a wonderful assembly where a lot of the Sa-Nguan Ying staff sang Jingle Bell Rock and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. It was a jolly way to start off the day, and we had so much fun sharing our tradition. Even Thai Santa showed up! Later that night, some of our friends came over to Yoo Dee Mee Sook where we ordered pizza, watched Elf, and reveled in each other's company. It wasn't exactly the Christmas I'm used to, but my first Christmas without my family couldn't have been better.