Y’all. What even is this blog anymore.
This is the first that I’ve written since January, but it honestly feels like it might as well have been years. In the past 5 months, it feels like the world has blown up and hit pause on everything all at the same time.
The last time I was writing, COVID-19 was something far and distant that I didn’t really have to think about. But now, it’s literally halted the pacing of the world. International flights are at a standstill, Thailand hasn’t let a single foreigner in the country since the middle of March, deaths in the US are about to surpass 100,000 people and we still don’t know when that’s going to let up.
But since this has turned into a bit of a journal for me as much as a snapshot into my life for you, I thought that I would share how this pandemic has impacted me, specifically in Chiang Mai.
Alright, so the most notable changes are as follows:
- Mandatory national curfew from 11-4 (this has changed a few times and is now more relaxed)
- I have been doing Distance Learning since the end of March and will probably continue to the end the of year
Although – literally as of today, there is apparently a decree saying that private international schools can open on June 1st, so we’re waiting to see what my school decides - Most entertainment venues with a large capacity for people are still closed, but are slowly opening up.
- I’m writing this at home in my bed when I should be at the beach in Koh Tao with my seniors, all who graduated three weeks early
- There are no inbound flights to Malaysia and I now have no idea when I’ll be moving
- Additionally, I’ll not be going home to the states this summer and honestly have ZERO clue when I will see my family again
Thailand was one of the last countries to really close their boarder to the public and has seemingly managed to control the situation pretty well. Our numbers are low and life has somewhat returned to normal.
The biggest impact is my inability to plan for anything more than a few weeks in advance. With the rules and laws changing so often, it’s impossible to plan anything. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling anxious about the future. I’m worried I might lose my contract in Malaysia. I’m worried that I’ll be deported back to the US once my visa ends. I’m worried that I might run out of funds trying to balance all this staying at home I’m doing.
There’s really not anything to be done but wait.
The control freak in me is going bonkers. Everything that I thought I knew about how my time in Thailand was going to end has been taken away and I feel robbed. But I know that my view comes from a place of privilege where I still have my job and am guaranteed pay until the end of my contract.
While things have been opening up more and more, there’s been a huge push for domestic tourism. Things like national parks are starting to open up. Long-distance trains and busses are re-starting their routes around the country. With Thailand relying mostly on tourists, it’s going to be interesting to see how things play out over the next few months.
One of the positives is getting to see Thailand how it was a few years ago. Before the flood of tourism. It’s my hope that if I have to stay here over the summer I’ll really be able to visit the last few places on my bucket list.
but…. we’ll see.
Here’s a timeline of the above events:
January 13 – The first official case is reported in Thailand
March – Thailand is worried about COVID but has yet to really close borders. I’m still traveling around the country.
March 17 – The government mandates schools to be closed starting the next day
March 19 – Distance Learning begins
March 23 – Everything closes down
March 26 – State of Emergency is announced
April 3 – Curfew is put in place, all incoming international flights are banned
May 3 – Some measures are relaxed, things start to open back up
May 15 – More measures are relaxed, limited shops in malls start to open
May 26 – Private international schools may be able to open as soon as June 1
Personally, I’m doing less okay than I would like to be.
Funnily enough, I thought myself an introvert when this whole thing started. What. A. Joke.
Luckily, I had signed up to take care of some of the boarding kids during the April holiday which kept my sanity a little bit more. Since then, I’ve mostly been staying home, rarely venturing out unless I need things. Grab food delivery has been an absolute Godsend as I’m an AWFUL cook. Now that we are in late May, the weather has been sweltering and I spend most days in my bedroom with the AC working as hard as it can.
I’ve finally gotten the hang of distance learning, but I miss my kids so damn much. Distance learning cannot be a replacement for actual school. While some of my students are thriving under these new conditions, there are many more who really struggle. I got into teaching for the interactions with students and without that, it’s been difficult.
This quarantine isolation also has been hankering for routine. Like actual, solid, routine. It feels good to be able to control SOME aspect of my life. If you missed it, I also shaved my head. Again, control.
But this has led me on an incredible journey of self discovery about my mental health and the things I need in my life. Before COVID-19, I was convinced my love languages were quality time and words of affirmation. However, lack of human interaction has pushed physical touch to the top of the list. I’m incredibly jealous of anyone quarantining with other people.
Anyways, I’ll try to update this as this process continues. I know it’ll be something I’ll want to really look at in a few years time. You know, when the trauma from living through this has finally passed. 🙂
Till next time loves,
-Ari
