Did you think this would be a blog about how to fit in when moving to a new country? No, I'm asking. How do you fit in when moving to a new country?
I've done it 3 times and I still suck at it.
It took a long time in Latvia. Some people praised me for moving from the USA back to my family's home land. Others spit at me when I told them I was from the US.
Myanmar was tough. We were often looked at and treated as if we were celebrities. My son treated like Justin Bieber at a Jr. High dance. Other times his classmates teased him because he had blue eyes. We never fit in, not with the school, not with the country.
Thailand feels like it's kind of in the middle of Latvia and Myanmar. Most people are very friendly, ask where we are from. A few are not. Just yesterday I took a *songtaew, alone, to the store. The price is 10 baht. I handed the driver a 20 baht and waited for change, something I've done many times. He was so mad! Cursing and yelling at me, but he did give my my change. I assume because I'm western, I'm rich and therefore don't need my change? Honestly, if I was rich, I would buy a car and not ride in your crappy songtaew.
We like it here. We want to stay for a long time but
I'm struggling to fit in with the school and the parents. It's not a good feeling, but with time, that too will pass, I hope.
In the meantime, I try and do what's best for my family, keep busy, and stay positive.
*Songtaew is a small truck that serves as a public bus in Hat Yai.
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