These are the things that Thailand just knocks out of the park.... maybe better than any other country ever.
The food here is magic. Salty, sweet, sour, spicy and just 100% delicious. I have been eating only thai food for breakfast, lunch and dinner while here and I can't think of one thing that I've hated. Of course I've liked some things more than others but as a whole - everything has been remarkably delicious. I'm giving most of the credit to their egregious use of fish sauce... how a sauce made from decomposed fish makes everything taste magical is a mystery to me, but it does and I love whoever came up with the concept in the first place.
The massages... omg the amazingly perfect massages. I got the best massage of my life the other day for $11 USD. ELEVEN DOLLARS. Granted, anyone massaging me after 20 days straight of hard core yoga would feel like a dream, but this guy was good. Thai massages are part massage and part body contortion - at times you feel like you could immediately join cirque du soleil with the poses they force your body into but somehow it works and you end up feeling just perfect as a result. They also always end the massage with a quick tiger balm application to your neck - there is literally nothing better.
Now for the people. The people in Thailand are the most lovely, warmest humans I've ever encountered. They are so sweet, kind and just all around nice. It's like if you are always having your best day ever and feeling super helpful and in love and the world is full of rainbows, butterflies and unicorns. That is the state of being that Thai people spend their days in. It is remarkable. My friend, Brenda, told me this before I left on my trip, but I didn't really get it until I arrived. There really is a warmth to this culture that is beyond what I've experienced before.
I totally get why expats are drawn to this place. Above and beyond how cheap it is to live - it's just a happy, beautiful, lovely place to spend your time.
I love it here :)