I’m back from my travels and have had some time to settle in. I’ve finally managed to get used to the time zones (I have no idea why it took so long for it to adjust this time) and I'm getting ready for my life to begin here at home. During this time of lazing around and mass caffeine consumption, I’ve had the time to reflect on the differences of South Asia and the UK.
So here we go...
Hot water.
Getting used to cold showers took a while. I love hot, almost lava flowing showers. So getting to terms with the freezing cold water attacking my skin like ice needles took a bit of getting used to. Initially, I found myself throwing the water at myself in pain but eventually got over it. Besides, why would there be heated shower water in South East Asia when the temperature outside means you’ll be soaked in sweat as soon as you step outside?
Consumable water.
We are so spoilt as a nation with our water. Almost all of it is treated and filtered so we never need to think about where it’s come from of if it’s okay to ingest. It’s not the case on the other side of the world. It’s not just about the drinking water. It’s making sure you don’t get water on any cuts and even brushing your teeth with it. Using bottled water when brushing your teeth isn’t fun. Or easy! And it makes it so much sadder to think that we waste so much of our ‘on tap’ clean water where elsewhere most families cannot afford such luxuries.
No mosquitoes.
There was a point in Siem Reap when I got eaten alive by mosquitoes. I have to say I was relieved to not have to drench myself with 50% DEET spray every 10 hours when I got back to the UK. Those buggers are persistent and really REALLY annoying. Not the worst type I’ve had though, but still. It also means that we are lucky enough to not have to worry about Malaria and antimalarial tablets. I can't believe how lucky we are.
No bed bugs!
It wouldn’t be South East Asia without meeting a few bedbugs. Waking up with bumps and being itchy all over is clearly a sign of a good time. We even had an insect infestation in one of our rooms and ended up being somewhat homeless and sleeping outside. Good thing we didn't have torrential rain that night.
$1/$2 places to stay.
I loved being able to rock up to a guest house and pay like $2 for a room. It was the best. A great money saver and you meet the best people there. And these rooms were not that bad either. I was mightily impressed when I saw them. Shame we don’t have such awesome stuff here. Imagine paying for a £1 room here. First of it would be extremely questionable. Why is it so cheap? What’s the catch? Will I be held at gunpoint as payment? Is it in a sewer? It just won’t work.
Sticking out like a sore thumb.
Yes, I am of South Asian descent. So somehow it was perfectly fine to yell, “Hey India” every time I stepped out of wherever I was staying. Funny how I’m not even from India. Having to explain that I was actually from England and had no blood ties in India proved to be a hard pill to swallow for most people there. I can’t blame them too much for it but there was even a point where I wanted to write “I’m not from India” on my top. You’d never get that here. We’re far too politically correct to say what’s on our minds. And I guess because London is amazingly diverse, no one really sticks out here.
The heat.
I’ve actually gotten used to the enveloping heat of South East Asia. Yes. Me. The one who always hides to be in the shadows when it’s summer in London because it’s just too hot. There’s a first time for everything it seems. I’m actually freezing cold here when it’s about 20c. I reluctantly leave the house armed with my winter coat, scarf and occasionally gloves! Yes. Gloves. I quickly shoved them back in my bag when I realised what a doofus I looked like. I’m weaning myself off the winter attire and moving on to more autumn-y gear so as to appear a little more normal. I also have nothing thicker to wear for winter so I may be well and truly screwed when winter comes along.
Even though there is a world of difference between the two parts of the world I would easily trade to go back and travel again. I think it’s the differences in life and living that makes travelling so appealing to me. The rougher experience is great! You have so much more fun and it makes you appreciate the little things in life. That’s how I feel anyway.
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Welcome back!! Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself