Goddess, I Am.

And so dewy Iris flew down from the sky on saffron-colored wings, trailing a thousand different colors across the sun… - From Virgil’s Aeneid

It’s not a secret that I’m not particularly fond of Thais, even if I do live in their country. In fact, I’ve written a derogatory thing or two about them in the past after having observed (and been involved in) some rather unpleasant situations with these people.

Today, however, is one of those days when I will concede that I might have been a bit too harsh on them. Admittedly, after about a year or so in the country, I have, so far, only been exposed to the absolute dregs of Thai society. These are the barely educated, money-grubbing, trouble-making khlongies that one encounters on the street and in public transport, markets, bars, and even in some of the really upscale malls; the very same ones who can barely speak English and have annoying, whiny voices, and manners and odors so bad that I find myself actually physically sick. It’s no surprise that such limited exposure clouded my judgment of the entire Thai populace, leading me to generalize and criticize to no end. Because of that, I apologize.

“Why this change of heart?”, you might wonder. Well, it’s not really so much a change of heart as a perspective that’s been somewhat broadened - an improved awareness, if you may. Today I found myself acquainted with the other side of Thai society, and the experience was more than pleasurable. I met kids so heartbreakingly bright and smart that they actually had potential oozing out of their pores. These are kids who competitively ride horses and hold patents on machinery they invented – all before the age of 18. These are kids who have already achieved great things and are still aspiring for even greater achievements. Yes, these kids are exactly what the people of Thailand should be, and here’s hoping they’ll grow up to be fine, upstanding citizens and turn this place around. For now, I’m just absolutely thrilled that I can help them in the way that I know best.

I am, by no means, in love with Thai people now. I am, however, starting to think that they may not be so bad after all – ‘may’ being the operative word. We’ll see.