[CorpoRasion]

My first impression of Thailand was that 'I know this place already from somewhere' and even today when I am travelling here in Bangalore I sometimes get this feeling that the next turning is going to be Sukhumvit road!!! Wonder if you can understand that perception?

What I liked most is that people looked into your eyes when you asked them questions and tried to listen to you even if they did not understand. And I always felt that Thai people are very independent in their thought process. On the same lines, I felt that Thai people smile a lot because they choose to be so and not because... someone else has been necessarily nice to them.

Of course, I sensed early that when it came to the markets and commerical places an Indian held little currency versus the foreigners... Initially, I felt jealous that it was so easier for them to connect with people and I had to continue breaking pre-judgements. But that was never a big issue to me. Its the same here in India itself!! And furthermore I can also imagine the experiences some may have had with the group of shoppers who keep travelling from India...to Asian countries... being a good tourist is not their priority! Anyways, I soon got used to focussing on individual relationships.

However, my story with Thailand developed in a very odd road - challenging my worldview & ways. And quite unlike the story of many others on this forum. In a crude way let me put it - I got 'seduced' (after many attempts) in my 2nd trip and since then I spent 5 trips to set myself free without hurting any living being in the process! Finally I got free, but I lost a lot of time & space, but managed to keep my heart and mind intact. Unfortunately, I cannot detail the story much more than that in this forum!!