My life in Thailand (Isaan, Pattaya and elsewhere)

Have thought for a while, whether to start a thread about my full-time life here in Isaan, whether it was a topic worth writing about, and whether I wanted to tell it publicly, and in a forum like this - having it discussed openly! My intial thought was to write a blog, but then I thought it might be more interesting and maybe helpful, doing it in an open forum.

So, let's see...

I find myself sitting in a small, peaceful village of roughly 80 people in Isaan, very much like those you may have seen on YouTube. There are people living in grass huts, and there are those in more modern houses. I look out the window and I see the original shop the family made, about a month ago, to sell slushies, crisps and other food items. To the left of that, is the new shop being constructed out of permanent materials, to sell a bigger range of items...



The family really are good, do not ask for money, and always make sure I am comfortable and not wanting for anything. You would think therefore this is going to be a happy story, but not so quick as there is much more involved to becoming settled in an Isaan village. My feelings range from being very happy in this relaxed, rural setting to wondering what the hell I am doing in the middle of nowhere!

So, how did I get here when a year ago I was in London, enjoying everything that city had to offer. Friends, travel and work - all good. I had been in a relationship for 20 years, and though we were and still are great friends, the fizz had gone. So I decided to come to Pattaya, for the first time.

I stayed in a very nice up-market hotel, lovely rooms with big beds, mirrors, lights, love swing, spa bath, rail over the bed - it had it all. Though it is more expensive then the guesthouses I now stay at. The first night, I went down to the in-house nightclub, then back to the room (some time later) with two ladyboys. The second night, one ladyboy, and the third day a GIRL! (for short time, but she had issues and I let her go)



Then I spent 3 days (was not aware of the rule) with another girl. She just wanted to sleep, but was Songkran and we had a lot of fun during the day, so I told her I would tip her the once, but not again, but she could stay a few days. I paid her bar fine each night she was happy with that.

After that, I went to an a GoGo and bar fined a girl. We stayed together day after day for a whole week. Then, close to the end she said "I not want you to butterfly". I was bored of London, and thought yeah, why not...

I went back to London, packed up all my things, organised an education visa and two months later came back to Thailand to live.

If there is interest, I will tell the story of moving from guesthouse to apartment in Jomtien, to building a house in Isaan. Will talk about how I find the customs, and settling (or not) into a small Isaan village. And then hopefully, having a pad here in rural Thailand, and travelling to Pattaya, and other places around Thailand...