An ocean of differences

It’s been a fun trip so far, but it’s been a stark contrast to the other trips we’ve taken.  LA, SF, and GB were all very American and we loved that in it’s way.  Mexico, however, has been a bit of a difference than what we have seen in other parts of the world we’ve traveled to recently.

When we traveled to Kanchanaburi and the River Kwai it was just post COVID lockdowns in Thailand and things were still pretty quiet and chill.  That Xmas, we traveled to Ko Samet and did the beach there.  Just last summer, we did our tour of Vietnam and went up and down the coast there.  All were a great time, but they were so very different than our time in Mexico and Zihua so far.

In all of our SEA trips, the water and beach were a big focus of life, entertainment, and nightlife.  In MX however, the beaches shut down at night.  There are all these resorts and touristy places, but no one is setting up a beach front type eatery or bar on the beach and water.  Don’t get me wrong, town in hoppin’, but as for the beach…. It’s dead.  Kanchanaburi, Ko Samet, and Vietnam (especially near Da Nang) all used the beaches and the coastlines for nightlife and activities.  Even if it was temporary stages for concerts or live music, there was something going on.  Heck, in Vietnam, we really got used to going back to the beach after dinner, as they were crowded.  Here, however, come about 17:00 and the beaches vacate.  Even the day bars and eateries that are jam packed during the day start closing up 15:30-16:00.  I don’t get why.  All this beautiful land and views, with nice breezes and better temps and instead of using that, they abandon it.  It’s strange to us.

Then again, America was strange to us.  We kept saying to each other (Kiddo included) that we missed markets, market food and life, walking most places (perk for Zihua is we’ve only been in a car from the airport, the rest is on foot), and not having every damned thing around us being a chain of some sort.  Kiddo, the other day, was stunned that she wouldn’t have “Asian food” again until we get to Shanghai and commented that she LOVES tacos, but she wished for hotpot (Shabu) and market chicken and rice again.  She also mentioned that she missed eating with chopsticks.  So do we, Kiddo.  So do we!

Our adventure has made us into that.  Made us miss those things.  Made us long for them and relish them.  Being older and having lived more, J and I can roll with it and accept it a bit easier, but we miss the simplicity.  The ease of walking to a market and getting food, produce, fruit, and even clothing.  Also, we miss the connections.  Knowing that the item or good you are buying was made by the person you are getting it from or that you are one step away from that; Namely, their supplier.  I know Produce Lady didn’t grow and harvest all that she sold me, but she had a supplier and I bought from her.  So, she paid someone for bulk goods and I bought on a single user level.  It wasn’t Walmart and their warehouses and supply lines dictating the goods.  I got what was in season and I paid a fair price for it.  Fair to me and Produce Lady had been there forever, so fair to her since she could make a living, pay rent and all that was included with the stall she had, I know she drove a car (seen her and her husband load or unload things more than once and cars are not an everyday item in Thailand and BKK), and she would let me know when she was taking off for holiday and other trips that her and her husband could take.  Sounds like she was doing middle-class or slightly better to me.

We’ve found the market here and we are thrilled that we can get back to that life.  The other night, having dinner there, once we were done, the stall owner/worker, came up to us with a hand written ticket, used the menu to price that out, and hand totaled it.  No computers, no bar codes, no corporate involvement.  Just a lady, good food, and a hand written total.  That’s home to us.

Maybe Shanghai will change that.  We’ve not been.  But we are excited to see it, experience it, and find our niche in it.  Granted, it may be this monolith of China efficiency and commerce and we might not like that, but why not give it a try.  Maybe it will be a blend of both worlds.  Efficient and quick, but also the old school and slow life of markets and noodle shops.  Only one way to find out and in about 2 weeks…. Well, we have a two year contract.  No turning back now.

We’ve been changed by all of this.  We’ve experienced it and hope to experience more.  We eat at markets, because if 100 million locals can eat there yearly, I don’t see why I can’t.  We walk places if we can, because a mile is about 10 minutes and we’ve got 10 minutes to walk, to see what is on the way, and to not add a car/scooter/or otherwise to the road.  Not that we didn’t use the Tuks, but when it’s hot enough to melt your face off…. You (I hope) get the point without me needing to beat you over the head with it.

We explore.  We eat.  We drink.  We find the local place and try that.  We see where the locals go and try to do the same.  In our thoughts, America can have it’s homogenized chain stores/restaurants/et al, but we’ll take the market, the little guy, the independent and love the adventure and uniqueness of it.  Even in America and my half day in Racine, I sought out La Tapatia, Wilson’s Coffee and Tea, and the little places that are run by real people, not a board of suits who are only interested in the bottom line and the stock price.  But hey…. That’s just us.

Let’s go, Kiddo…. We’ve got more taco research to do, more beaches to play on, more places to walk to, and more fun to have.  We are so glad you are willing to adventure with us and see the world we live in.  We can’t wait to see more, see the next, and (as you get older) let you steer the ship and show us where YOU want to go, see, and explore.  We love you and are amazed by you and we can’t wait for the next adventure with you.