Us humans are such adaptable creatures. I've been away from home a month now and there are already so many habits and intricacies of travelling life here in Asia that no longer seem weird. These include:
- You don't always expect a toilet seat, you expect there not to be a flush (bucket of water to chuck down the pan instead), and rarely is there toilet paper.
- While there is a 'correct side' of the road to drive on, motos drive wherever they want - into oncoming traffic, on pavements etc. As long as they honk their horn long and loud enough, the way will be clear.
- Motos can be laden with 3 other family members and a suitcase filled with fruit. If the driver is talking to a 5th family member on the mobile, it's a blessing: he has no more hands free to use the horn.
- You never know which cut of meat you'll get, and for that matter, you can never be 100% sure what animal the meat is from.
- The best and cheapest food is to be had by going to a stall at the side of the road and pointing at the pots that look tasty.
- It is perfectly acceptable for locals to enquire after your age, height (if you're me), nationality and marital status within 2 minutes of meeting you.
- There is always someone trying to sell you chewing gum, scarves, books, postcards, razors, sunglasses or prostitutes.
- Buses and lorries do not always have a reverse bleep. Instead, they may serenade you with an electronic lambada, christmas carol, or rendition of happy birhday. If you're really lucky, the tune might also play when the vehicle indicates.
- Cold showers.
- Geckos running up and down every wall.
- Discover channel and Star Movies.
- The local language sounds ferocious and completely incomprehensible.
This list is actually pretty endless and ever-expanding.
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