Thailand: The First Trip I Truly Remember
This trip was not the first stamp in my passport or the first time I boarded a plane. Those happened long before I was old enough to understand them. This is about Thailand, the first trip I chose to pay attention to. The first trip I can remember clearly enough to tell as my own story. The first time I came home carrying something other than souvenirs.
I don’t remember every temple, every beach, or every meal. What I remember are the details that stuck: the thick humid air that hit me the moment I stepped outside the airport, the smell of street food drifting through crowded night markets, and the realization that the world was both much bigger and much more accessible than I had imagined.
One of my clearest memories is being lifted onto the back of an elephant that felt impossibly large to a kid my age. We moved slowly through the forest, weaving between thick trees before stepping into a river. At times the water rose so high it nearly reached the elephant’s knees, and from my seat above it all, it felt like we were wading through a world far bigger than anything I had ever known.
Thailand in 2006: Old Enough to Notice
In 2006, my family and I traveled to Thailand. I was six years old, and for the first time, I was old enough to notice more than just the excitement of being on an airplane. Instead of simply following along, I found myself paying attention to the stories being told, the people we met, and the places we explored.
I don’t remember every temple, every beach, or every meal. What I remember are the details that stuck: the thick humid air that hit me the moment I stepped outside the airport, the smell of street food drifting through crowded night markets, and the realization that the world was both much bigger and much more accessible than I had imagined.
In 2006, my family and I traveled to Thailand. I was six years old, and for the first time, I was old enough to notice more than just the excitement of being on an airplane. I remember the humid air, the unfamiliar flavors of the food, and the feeling that everything around me was different from home. Instead of simply following along, I found myself paying attention to the stories being told, the people we met, and the places we explored. Looking back, Thailand was the first trip I truly experienced for myself, and many of those memories have stayed with me ever since.
The Food: Giant Fruit and My First Coconut
One of the things I remember most about Thailand was the food. Everything seemed different from what I was used to at home, especially the fruit. The fruit stands were filled with varieties I had never seen before, and the pieces seemed enormous compared to anything I had encountered in Minnesota. It was also my first time trying coconut. After smelling its sweet aroma drifting through the markets, I expected it to be my new favorite food. Instead, I discovered that coconut and I were not a good match. The grainy texture and unique flavor were nothing like I imagined, and while I appreciated the experience, it wasn’t something I rushed to try again.
Tuk-Tuks: Every Ride an Adventure
Another memory that has stayed with me is the transportation. Throughout the trip, we often traveled in tuk-tuks, small three-wheeled vehicles that seemed both exciting and slightly chaotic to a six-year-old. They had open sides, no seatbelts, and weaved through traffic with ease. I remember holding on as the warm air rushed past and listening for their distinctive high-pitched horn. At the time, they felt unlike anything I had ever seen, turning even a simple ride across town into an adventure.
The Temples That Left Me in Awe
The temples left perhaps the strongest impression of all. Their massive size alone was enough to capture my attention, but it was the artwork and history that made them unforgettable. I remember walking among towering golden statues and intricate mosaics made from thousands of tiny colored tiles that shimmered in the sunlight. Every building seemed to tell a story.
Even as a child, I could sense how important these places were to the people around us. Watching visitors pray, leave offerings, and share stories about the temples gave me my first real glimpse into a culture and faith that were completely different from my own. Years later, the details may have faded, but I still remember the feeling of awe that came from standing in those remarkable places.
What Thailand Taught Me
Looking back, Thailand taught me that not everything has to feel familiar to be enjoyable. At six years old, I didn’t understand the language, many of the customs were new to me, and some of the food was completely outside my comfort zone. But instead of being scared by those differences, I became curious about them. It was one of the first times I realized that the world is much bigger than the small corner of Minnesota where I grew up.
Most importantly, Thailand taught me to slow down and pay attention. The memories that stayed with me weren’t the things you find in a travel brochure. They were the smells drifting through the markets, the feeling of riding an elephant through a river, and the conversations I had with people whose lives looked very different from my own. Even today, whether I’m meeting a new client at Easterseals or getting to know someone from a different background, I try to remember that lesson: watch first, listen carefully, and meet people where they are.
Still Chasing That Feeling
Over the years, that curiosity has taken me across nearly every continent, introducing me to new cultures, new foods, and new ways of seeing the world. Every trip has been different, but each one brings back a little of what I felt as a six-year-old wandering through markets, riding in tuk-tuks, and staring up at temple walls covered in stories I didn’t yet understand.