A Kind Heart

We've been here for 3 weeks and I'm still blown away everyday by the kindness of the Thai people.  And it's not just toward us "farang" (white foreigners), they're kind to their fellow Thais as well.  It's really inspiring, and very different from other places where I've traveled where people have tried to scam travelers.  It may be the concept of karma, hoping that they will be rewarded in the afterlife, but either way Thai people are eager to help and expect nothing from you in return.  There have been several occasions in which we've gone out to eat at a small shack where no one has spoken English and the menus are all in Thai characters.  We've never experienced anyone getting frustrated or annoyed with our lack of Thai and our miscommunications.  Vendors are eager to help people load purchases and direct people to other stores if they need something else.  Today my friend Ashely asked a fellow teacher how to get to the bus station to catch her bus.  Instead of giving directions, the teacher thought nothing of taking time out of her day to drive Ashley to the bus station on her motorbike.  It seems almost silly as I write it, and I can't think of any stand-out examples, it's just everyday kindness that has really impressed me and made this place so wonderful!   It has been so easy to settle in here and become comfortable in our new surroundings, because that's how everyone wants us to feel.