What are the benefits?

Benefits of ear candling include relieving tinnitus (ringing in the ears), helping to relieve sinus pain and pressure, removing excess wax build up, assisting with relieving Swimmers’ ear, assisting with headaches, relieving severely itchy ears (often caused by yeast, mould or dairy allergies) and helping to unplug ears (often due to illness).

Ear candling benefits everyone especially people who swim, fly or dive regularly, i.e. swimmers, scuba divers, cabin crew, pilots, etc.

Other potential benefits may include improved lymphatic fluid flow through the body, improved colour perception, a more balanced emotional state and clearer thinking.

It has also been reported that those who partake in ear candling experience an improved sense of taste as well as reduced pressure, which may be present in the ears due to a wax build up or infection. Claims have also been made that they are able to assist with purifying the blood. Others have reported experiencing a relaxing and soothing effect on the mind and body after an ear candling session.

How is it done?

Ear candling involves inserting a long, cylindrical candle into the ear and lighting it on the other end. Heat produced from the top of candle helps to draw out excess ear wax and other debris which may be present in the ear canal. This technique must be done by an experienced therapist.

How much does it cost?

Small fees (cash payment only)

1 session: $20,  5 sessions: $80 (30 min per session)

*Strictly by appointment ONLY. For more information and booking, please call Gabriel at 9062 5742

Ear candling therapy is offered by ZROOTE, one stop service center for wellness. Also other programmes include CPR training and hypnotherapy. For more information, visit www.ZROOTE.com.sg

Sofia, the bulgarian capital city has a unique combination of European, Communist-style architecture and many beautiful orthodox churches. It claims to be one of the few European capitals with a very close and developed ski-resort (Vitosha mountain). Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe with ruins spread across the city center. It was founded because of the quality of its mineral waters. In the city alone there are 7 independent mineral water springs. One of the springs is in the central area of the city and is accessible for everybody.

There are only 2 companies that are allowed to service at the airport :”OK Taxi and “91280″. The fare to the city center should be about 10-12 leva. To avoid scam follow this ‘instruction’: ‘When you exit the customs/declarations door, turn to your right. You will see an office for OK Taxis in front of you. They speak English so the best thing is to give the person your destination. They will check it and then print out a slip with your taxi number on it. This saves having to explain to the taxi driver!’

What to visit? Ivan Vazov National Theatre; St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral; Orthodox churches; down town

Enjoy the free walking tour! Starting point – the corner of the Palace of Justice

Where to sleep? Hostel Mostel is my favorite option, friendly staff, international environment, nice and tidy rooms, breakfast and dinner included in the price, good location

Eat on budget? You can get tasty traditional Bulgarian food in bakeries, offering banitsa and other kinds of pastry. This food is often consumed with ayran or boza. Another possibility is to get a katma, which is a big pancake filled with cheese, ham, jelly or chocolate

Nightlife and fun? Defenetly you should visit the university district in the evening, Students’ town (Studentski grad) is in the southern part of the city and can be reached by buses #94 (from Sofia university and Culture palace), #280 (from Sofia University, Orlov most) and #102. The last bus to Studentski grad departs from the city center at about 11.30 PM (from Sofia University and Culture Palace).

Fancy football? If you are lucky to be in town when Levsky Sofia and CSKA Sofia are playing the city derby is a chance to not miss for the warm atmosphere at the stadium

Festivals and Events

Sofia Film Festival (March); Sofia Design Week (in June) A to JazZ Festival open air festival held annually in Doktorska garden, 6 Shipka Str. It is open air and free (at the end of June)Water Tower Art Fest – festival for contemporary arts and culture in Bulgaria (in June); International Folklore Festival – local and foreign dance folklore ensembles (in July); ON! Fest is gathering the most interesting from the modern urban art, entertainment, sport and lifestyle: music, dances, graffiti, parkour, technology, games, japanese culture, urban and extreme sports and parites (in September); Da Fest – an international digital art festival, organized by the National Academy of Art, Sofia including exhibition, performances, film screenings, workshops, and lectures. (in September); Sofia Dance Week – international festival for contemporary dance. The program consists of performances from Europe, Asia and America representative for different trends in the contemporary dance scene. The parallel program consists of workshops, ateliers, open air events, lectures, projections and discussions, as well as a special kids module with performances and workshops. (in October); Sofia Contemporary – Sofia Contemporary presents diverse artistic means, traditional and new media, urban and interior spaces for and with art. The festival discusses various attitudes to the problems of our time, territory, gender, social and political frustrations as well as affiliations. Challenges Days – three day festival dedicated to the extreme sports and adventures.It is organized by a large community of mountaineering, speleology, biking sport clubs and outdoor shops and travel professionals and photographers. (in November); Sofia Architecture Week – international festival for architecture, a week-long meeting and idea exchange platform for architecture, interior design, landscape and urban environment. Many exhibition open to the general public and with free entrance, presentations, workshops, screenings and urban interventions. Every year Sofia Architecture Week focuses on a specific topic. (last week of November and beginning of December)

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Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria, and one of the oldest cities in Europe, with a history traced back to more than 8000 years. It was formerly known as Philipopolis, from Philip, father of Alexander the Great. Originally it had seven tall hills. Plovdiv is located in the large plain between the Rhodope Mountains in the south of Bulgaria and the Balkan Range, or Old Mountains (Stara Planina) that runs through the center of Bulgaria. Both ranges are visible on clear days. The Maritsa River flows through the city.

Stay at Hostel Mostel, a tipical balkan house with friendly staff and good location. Breakfast and dinner are included in the price

Eat on budget? You can get tasty traditional Bulgarian food in bakeries, offering banitsa and other kinds of pastry. However local restaurants offer very good quality food at good value. Try bulgarian cheese, meat and vegetables.

Take a free walking tour to discover this nice city.

The old Plovdiv is compact and walkable, it was walled, and has a famous gateway entrance. Nearby Puldin Restaurant has subterranean rooms where the old wall and historic artifacts can be seen.

The nearby Roman Amphitheater, discovered in the 1970′s during a construction project, is part of the pedestrian zone. Wander the cobblestone streets near the downtown to find the centuries old St. Marina church with a unique wooden tower, a mosque from the Ottoman Empire, and on the nearby hill the old town center

In the new center of the city, right before you go up into the old city, you will see the “Roman stadium”.

There is a good collection of Bulgarian revival buildings in use as museums, hotels, and restaurants etc. and is worth a visit if you have chance (pictures below).

In summer take a sunny break and have fun, Varna is the biggest city on the Black sea coast, is an business and university centre. Best way to discover the city is to join the Free Varna Tour, every day at 11 in front of the Cathedral. Nearby Varna:

-Golden Sands Resort is 17 km north from downtown Varna.
-Sveti Konstantin and Helena is 10 km north from downtown Varna – it is a small, but peaceful and very green resort. Many nice hotels offer mineral water SPA services, due to the abundance of hot mineral springs all over the area.
-Albena, 30 km north from Varna. An old style resort, with an architecture from the Communist times. Peaceful area though.
- Pasha Dere, Shkorpilovtsi, Karadere, Irakli…wild beaches south of town
- Kavarna (Каварна) is 60 km away north. It holds the Kavarna Rock Fest in early July, the largest rock event in the Balkans and Black Sea region.
- Cape Kaliakra, the longest cape in Bulgaria. Stunning views to the sea and the red cliffs. A place with rich history and many legends. Worth visiting. 80 km away, north.
- Kamen Bryag (Камен бряг, literally: Rocky Coast) village has been popular among Bulgarian hippies; 82 km away (north)

Sozopol and Nesebar are beautiful and well organized seaside towns

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Romania

Constanta is the second most important city in the country and, during summer, a beautiful touristic city.

Constanta was founded by the Greeks as a colony almost 2600 years ago, is the oldest attested city in Romania, the biggest port at the Black Sea (third largest in Europe). The city was renamed later after Constantina, niece of Constantine the Great.

One of its symbol is the old Casino, built in the Art Nouveau style and conceived by two architects, Petre Antonescu and Daniel Renard (of Swiss extraction but born in Romania). Despite being in a state of disrepair nowadays, it can be visited for free.

During the good season the best thing to do is to sunbath or swim in the Black Sea and walk along the coast.

There is a large beach called Modern right in the middle of the city, which is favored by locals and is near the marina, however the most significant beaches are in the Mamaia resort which is in the north part of Constanta. It consists of about 6-7 kilometers of sandy beaches.

It’s also full of hotels, clubs and bars and extremely popular and fashionable in the summer.

Not far from Constanta there is a small village called Vama Veche, close to the Bulgarian border is a former hippie/bohemian beach village turned into a commercial venture over the years but still one of the few places on the Romanian coast where camping is still hip (although in recent years there have been agents patrolling the beaches asking for a 10 lei fee from people they find at the tent).

Neutrogena ‘Advanced Solutions Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser’ – $19.97

I actually picked this up last time I was in the States, and despite hunting everywhere for it in the UK, have never found it. Neutrogena doesn’t even hold a similar or rebranded version of this which really surprised me and I’ve never felt that their UK range lived up to the standard of this cleanser. I had pretty troublesome skin at this point in my life and this really helped to clear it up. However, it didn’t really prevent future breakouts and I suspect was a little harsh for my sensitive skin. I occasionally use this to mix things up and would recommend it as a short-term step towards clearer skin.

L’Occitane ‘Foaming Rice Cleanser’ (travel edition) – £15

I love this range from L’Occitance, it smells delicious and applies beautifully. At the time I used this I think it probably wasn’t strong enough for my problematic skin, but I would definitely reuse it now as it is a really gentle formula. Great for those who are recovering from problem skin and want to keep blemishes at bay.

Organic Surge ‘Daily Care Face Wash’ – £5.49

A bloggers favourite, I was expecting this product to be a little on the pricey side so was surprised to see that it was under £10! If you’re looking to buy a high-end cleanser but don’t want to break the bank then this is perfect. It’s a really gentle, natural cleanser and despite that fact that the bottle emphasises it’s moisturising properties, doesn’t leave your skin looking or feeling oily. Definitely not targeted towards targeting blemishes but a good all-round cleanser.

Lush ’9 to 5 Cleansing Lotion’ – £9.25

9 to 5 is unique in that it is a cream cleanser so is really gentle and easy to apply and remove, making it perfect for sensitive skin and for using on the go. It is also a great makeup remover so I tend to use this in the evenings and wipe it off with a cotton pad and toner. One of my holy grail skincare products, perfect for skin that has suffered at the hands of overly harsh drugstore skincare.

Lush ‘Fresh Farmacy Facial Soap’ – £4.70

Another product which has reached holy grail status for me. I credit this cleanser with being one of my skin saviours and have used it religiously every morning for the past eighteen months. This is a really gentle cleanser so isn’t too harsh and drying but works effectively at clearing skin and preventing breakouts. Plus it lasts for ages and is perfect for travelling. I cannot recommend it enough!

Lush ‘Angels on Bare Skin Fresh Cleanser’ – £6.25

Another Lush product (surprise surprise)! This is probably the most natural cleanser I have ever used, and according to Lush is based on an ancient medieval formula. It is an exfoliating scrub so as I have sensitive skin I only tend to use this two or three times a week, although it is really gentle and doesn’t irritate my skin as most exfoliating cleansers do. It leaves my skin feeling really matte and smooth.

Neals Yard ‘Rose Facial Wash’ – £15.50

This cleanser is not targeted to a specific skin type but is a general good all-rounder. I tend to use it in the winter when my skin is in need of some moisture. It is a perfect product for those who have sensitive/spot-prone skin and want to use something that is moisturising but that won’t leave your skin too oily.

Soap & Glory ‘Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser’ – £10

I’ve mentioned this product before so won’t go into too much detail. I’ve been using this product for a couple of months and absolutely love it. I don’t use it every day as it is a little drying but I love how smooth and clean this makes my face feel, and have definitely noticed the redness in my skin looking a lot less noticeable than usual.

La Roche-Posay ‘Effaclar H Dermo-Soothing Deep Cleansing Foam’ – £9

I’m a huge fan of La Roche-Posay skincare, and can’t live without applying the famous Effaclar Duo to my face twice a day, so I thought I’d give one of their cleansers a try. This is a foaming wash so is easy to apply and gentle on the skin, it leaves my skin feeling well cleansed but not too dry or tight. I haven’t really used this enough to see the long-term effects but would recommend it to anyone who wants a cleanser that is suited for oily skin but that isn’t harsh and drying.

Clinique ‘Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Foam’ – £14.50

I recently purchased this cleanser after reading rave reviews about Clinique’s skincare range. However this product is far too harsh for my skin. Upon unscrewing the lid I was hit with an overwhelming smell of alcohol, and I do not feel at all comfortable applying this to my skin. It is defintiely more suited to someone suffering with acne, or more severe skin blemishes than mine.

Kiehls ‘Ultra Facial Cleanser’ – £8.50

This is my most recent purchase and as I have been using it for only a few weeks, I can’t comment on it’s long-term effects. This is a general facial cleanser for all skin-types and so isn’t aimed especially at targeting spots. However as my skin is presently clearer and more settled than it has ever been I wanted a cleanser that I could use at the times when blemish clearing isn’t necessary. The product has an unusual texture, gel-like and almost sticky. A little goes a long way, a pea-sized amount creates a thick lather which covers my whole face and washes away easily. It leaves my skin feeling matte and smooth but ever so slightly too dry, so I wouldn’t use this product on a day-to-day basis.

I think the biggest lesson I have learnt from looking back over my cleanser purchases is that I was a little too harsh on my skin even whilst it was at it’s worst, and that in applying overly drying, harsh products I was aggravating my skin and causing yet more breakouts. Obviously stronger products are ideal for acne sufferers but if you have sensitive skin then avoid targeted spot treatments and opt for mild, gentle cleansers. It really is worth paying a little extra to avoid high street/drugstore products, which are usually really strong and full of cheap ingredients and alcohol. It’s also important to remember that applying overly drying products to oily skin will in fact increase oil production, so always remember to moisturise!

As I have mentioned numerous times on this blog, I don’t ever do my nails. I don’t know how to use nail polish, I don’t ever get them done professionally, and I barely remember to file them down when they need it. I received this Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-on Manicure in my Spring Fever VoxBox and at first I thought that I needed to pawn them off onto someone… maybe my mom or someone who reads this blog. However, as I read the description of these fool-proof, super easy and quick press-on nails, I decided to give them a go. I think that I am absolutely the perfect guinea pig for these nails.

The process of applying these was amazingly simple, so I will break it down step-by-step.

1. I opened the packaging, sifted through the 24 nail cut-outs until I found the ones that matched the size of my nails. This took a few minutes.

2. I washed my hands and then used the preparation wipe that came with the product (similar to an alcohol swab).

3. I applied the nails (thumbs last) to my fingers by pulling off a small piece of plastic to reveal to super sticky glue. I pressed down firmly on each nail just to make sure it was good ‘n’ stuck.

4. When I was done tacking the nails to my fingers, I had to file off some of the rough edges of the nail that were obviously from the plastic mold.

5. Actually, that is it. There is no step five.

Overall, this was a really simple process! I am so unskilled when it comes to anything nail related and these came out perfectly. I wish there had been numbers of some kind of the nails before applying because it would have made the sorting much easier, but I managed just fine. I set a timer right before I opened the packaging and the total time spent (including filing) was just about 21 minutes. That is completely reasonable, if you ask me! Check out the results below.

Before:

After:

As far as quality is concerned, these nails are pretty impressive for their price tag (only $5.99-$8.99 at drugstores like Walgreens and CVS). These really did feel like any other fake nail manicure that I’ve had done at a nail salon in the past. The plastic is very strong and the glue really goes keep the nail tacked onto your finger.

As far as longevity goes, these promise seven days of wear if applied properly. Well, I didn’t go into this with the hopes of getting seven days of wear out of these nails because… well… I don’t like fake nails that much. Yes, they look fabulous and are super cute, but I don’t like how difficult fake nails make every day tasks (like buttoning up jeans) and I have this germ complex that makes me feel like the nails collect extra bacteria and gunk. The point is: I wore these as long as I could possibly stand mentally, but you could probably get longer out of them than I did (especially if you are more adjusted to the fake nail feeling). In total, I got 4 days out of these nails. I did notice that the longer your natural nails are, the better/longer these will stay on. One of my nails had recently broken off and was quite short (pointer finger) and I ended up having the most trouble with it after the 3^rd day. On the plus side, this product comes with 24 nails, so if one falls off it can be easily replaced. I think it is realistic that you could get seven days (or more) out of this package if you just kept reapplying the backup nails.

Well, how did my nails look afterwards? I know that is one of the most important questions when it comes to fake nails because any girl who has ever had a professional chemical manicure has experienced those horribly eroded and weakened nails after removal of fakes. Removal of these nails was relatively easy; I took them off while sitting on the couch watching a nighttime television show in about 5 minutes. I didn’t use nail polish remover (because I don’t have any), but was a suggested option for loosening up the super sticky glue. The glue from these press-ons did end up damaging the top of my nails just a little bit… roughed them up, I guess you could say. However, all of my nails were just as strong and healthy as they had been before the press-ons. Definitely not a bad experience! I have posted an after picture below so that you can compare my nail health.

Before:

After:

Overall, I think these were a great find! I’m so lucky that Influenster hooked me up with a sample of this product. I would have never tried this if not for receiving them for free. Although I am not going to be a convert to wearing fake nails all the time, I will definitely keep this product in mind for special occasions in the future. These would be an amazingly inexpensive nail solution to events like weddings, vacations, holidays, or other gatherings. 

After doing a little research and making a trip to my local Walgreens, I found that there are currently 36 variations of these imPRESS nails (solids and patterns), so I can only imagine the unlimited options.

Whether you are a nail connoisseur or a complete dud like me, I would definitely recommend keeping this brand in mind for the next time you want a quick, cheap homemade manicure.

Disclosure: Influenster has compensated me with this complimentary product in exchange for my participation in its program. However, I was not obligated to write this review. I am not afraid to speak my mind about products that I do or do not enjoy, and I was thus truthful in my statements and I only spoke from personal experience, uninhibited by the fact that I received these products for free.

But you can also buy him or her a personalised cat collar. This can contain your address and phone number, so that if your cat is ever lost and injured he or she will have a greater chance of being returned home to you.

British weather however, is unreliable. And so, Daintypaws ensure that all of our appropriate cat collars are waterproof, strong and durable. We have taken steps to ensure that they are reinforced – so that no smudging or fading of ink, or degrading of material occurs. This has been a tried and tested method, based on trial and error and we have now improved our collars to withstand the elements! 

Try one of our collars today!

http://www.daintypaws.co.uk

Just a swatch for this fine Monday! I had some trouble taking a photo of this nail polish to truly reflect the colour that it is in real life. It’s truly a VERY neon pink. Like.. Wow! So neon! I had to tinker around with one of the photos in a photo editing app to get a colour that was more true to real life as possible. However, I really don’t like how the edited photo makes my hand look so orangey/ yellowy tan… Hmmm… Just can’t win!

I used two coats of this bad boy and a fast drying top coat since it is past my bedtime right now. I’m pleased with this colour and would like to wear it on a regular basis. Plus, it’s a cheapie from the 1, 2, 3 Dollar shop!

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You will need:

paper clips at least 20

kitchen or loo roll inner tube

glue gun (glue will be fine also)

wire cutter or pliers

bubble wrap

paper

rice

awl or other sharp implement

If you don’t have paper clips I’ve seen tutorial using small nails called pins or you could use cocktail sticks. Ensure to snip the sharp ends though.

First job is to straighten your paper clips, leave a little ‘hook’ at one end.

Using something sharp, I used an awl, make holes to thread your paper clips through. For each hole make another on opposite side same level.

Start to thread your paper clips through both sides, leaving little hook to stop it falling out. You will secure this later with a glue gun. 

Inside the tube should look like this.

Once you have place sufficient clips through secure the outer ends with glue gun. If you don’t have access to one use pliers to securely turn down each end.

Once dry place glue at one end of the tube. I used the glue gun but good strong glue will work fine for this.

Place this glued end on some scrap cardboard. Ideally cereal box craft cardboard is a bit flimsy for this stage.

Cut a circle & do slits along as shown.

Fold these down & secure with glue.  You could also use sticky tape because this part will be covered later on.

Whilst that dries you can use wire cutters to snip off the excess paper clip ends.

You are ready to fill your rain maker I put about 1 inch level at bottom including the off cuts from the clips no point wasting!

Repeat process for covering up the end.

Now it time to make it pretty. To protect little hands from the paper clips i covered my rain maker in bubble wrap. If you don’t have any wadding, craft foam or multiple layers of paper mache should do the trick.

Using same method as the cardboard ends I covered both end with pretty paper & then wrapped the main part. You can use paper mache to do this or if feeling extra creative material would look fab. You could also stick sequins, buttons, stickers all sorts on. You could even join multiple tubes or use a big posting tube to make an even bigger version.

TRACY

You will need:

cereal box (makes 2 small or 1 large)

ruler

pen

sticky tape or glue

paper or other covering

scissors or craft knife.

First I sealed box both ends & measured to find the centre.

Marking this all round this separates the box & defines your 2 holder. If you wish to just make 1 big then keep scrolling past this part.

Next squashing the edge slightly I cut a starting point…

…and put my scissors in to cut along line.

I sealed inside to stop the smaller flaps sticking up, you could use glue for a neater finish.

Next I drew a line from one corner to opposite side. How far from bottom or top of holder you draw this is up to you I did it about 9cm. I had to hold the ruler inside to get a straight line.

Cut & repeat other side cutting straight line at front.

Repeat for other holder.

Now this part is personal choice. You can use paper to cover, material,paint it, paper mache it up to you. I chose wallpaper I got as a free off cut. First I laid one side down & drew round.

I continue to draw round each part…

.. till I had a layout like this.

I cut this out with about 1 cm edge for  joins & here it is. I used sticky tape for a quick easy finish. Big Critter isn’t always gentle so I know these will get ripped before long hence the quick not as nice look finish but they work!

Once I covered 1 I decided to join them together. If you decide to do this stick them together before covering. you save paper & looks a lot more seamless. You may also chose to do inside.

TRACY

Oh look here’s a picture of my chicken thing that I cooked. I call it ‘edible chicken‘.

It looks burnt but it isn’t.. That takes pure skill.

Okay so here’s how I cooked this masterpiece. I simplified it into several steps because it would be too complicated otherwise.

1. Go to Coles and look for ‘Marinated Chicken Nibblets’
2. Buy it
3. Bring it home
4. Put it into an oven at 175 degrees Celcius for 40 minutes
5. Take it out of the oven
6. Serve it

Tips and warnings

1. Try to remember the date so you don’t buy expired food
2. If necessary check the progress of your chicken in the oven occasionally so it doesn’t get burnt like mine

Good job! You’ve successfully made your first dish. But since I’m thoughtful and nice, I cooked another dish which was just as amazing.

Unappetizing view of my stew

I didn’t know where I was going with this one – it was actually just random bits of leftover ingredients thrown in a pot. But today this is an internationally renowned dish named after me. Thanks!

Method:

1. Slice pork and put into pot
2. Fill with water until slightly above pork
3. Heat  until water boils
4. Add chopped garlic, onions, green beans, small red chilis
5. Add salt, pepper, chilli powder and soy sauce according to your taste
6. Throw in beaten eggs as an afterthought
7. Stir whenever you feel like it I don’t know if it matters
8. Add some more soy sauce so it looks blacker
9. Leave it simmering and go watch some tv

Great job! You did it! I’ve typed so much omg I’m tired so bye for now

By Carla Gott
April 16, 2013

The idea of living and working overseas can be daunting. The rewards can be self-discovery, lifelong memories and friends.

While preparing for my trip to Thailand, everyone in my family and in my small group of friends had something negative to say. I understand and appreciate their concern, but what was my alternative? Stay home my whole life? No thanks.

My mom, who has never been to Asia, came up with a handful of questions no one could answer. Friends told her different stories, and her worries only seemed to grow. ‘What if they kidnap you and take you to the Philippines?’ She asked, and, ‘Can you really trust people?’ Perhaps at the core of their worries, they pointed out: “You are a girl. You can’t do things boys do.”

TripAdvisor, Lonely Planet and Yahoo! Answers do a fair job giving general advice to travelers, but as was the case with my mother she wanted more direct reassurance. I am a real person who took the big jump and now have real experience of Thailand. I can answer your inquiries and those your own parents might have. I am here for you. Consider me your friend, your pen pal and your advisor to help you navigate Thailand – and hopefully to ease your mother’s concerns as well.

So what’s to be worried about?

Safety? As a 20-something woman who moved to Thailand alone and has traveled in other foreign destinations, I can say that that this is a remarkably safe country. Even in my home state, Maryland, I don’t feel as safe as I do in Thailand. However, common sense helps here just like at home. Don’t walk around with $1,000 in your pocket when you don’t have to. But we will get to the things to avoid in a bit.

Creepy crawlies used to top my list of things to be scared of, way ahead of meeting new people or having to stand in front of new students and grab their attention from the start of a lesson. Bugs? Uggh! I was afraid I would see a snake in my room and I also feared spiders. And all those mosquitoes…

Well, after several months in Thailand I haven’t seen a snake so far – and I hope not to see one any time soon (if you do see one, just steer clear – they don’t like the sight of you anymore than you like the sight of them. It will head off quickly enough). I have seen bugs the size of my pinky – but these have been slow-moving things and are easily avoided. And any spiders keep to where they belong – bushes and corners well out of most folks’ sight. However when it comes to mosquitoes this is the one bug to give decent amount of consideration to and prepare for. Most of the day, they are not around. Come dusk on a still night, and they can be a nuisance if you are not prepared.
I have learned to carry mosquito repellent – everywhere.

I recommend you buy repellant as soon as you land. It comes in all sizes of containers at any drug store, most corner shops and general goods shops such as 7/11s – from mega-sized cans for your bedroom to scented, pocket-friendly mini-sprays and sachets of cotton wipes that are great for use on legs and arms as the sun goes down. They’re easy to spot – most carry a picture of a mosquito.

The other big worry is who do you know? You are out there, all by yourself, and your family advice will almost invariably be: Don’t travel alone!

The fact is – sometimes you have to. But unless you are determined, it is almost impossible to travel solo. Wherever you go, there will always seem to be someone looking just as lost as you might feel and keen to meet up with a friendly face, share a bus or train ride, or test out a street stall loaded with unfamiliar goodies that are going to be your dinner.

So don’t be scared to come to this side of the world all on your on. Surprise! You’ll soon have more friends than you had at home. After a few months in Thailand, my circle of friends has widened hugely. My closest friends are from different parts of the world. Making friends here is easy – unless you decide to stay in your room the whole day.
Fears sensibly put in their place, let’s get down to the packing. I graduated from Uni, packed three suitcases and I was gone. With one terrible mistake and that was the three suitcases. Within a week or two, I had given away half of my clothes.

Thailand is in the tropics which means sunshine, lots of it and often humid, sticky weather. And sometimes gorgeous cool breezes.

That means you need a few T-shirts or other light tops, and a two or three easy-to-wash trousers, dresses, or skirts – they will dry overnight. Don’t bring dress suits and three pairs of high heels. Do bring comfortable shoes for walking.

When you need more clothes, you can have fun buying stuff as and when you need it at unbelievably cheap markets and road-side stalls.

Personal accessories – obviously take what you need from day one. But don’t overdo it – Thailand has most everything you will want, unless you are in one of the smaller villages. Even in the smallest town, you will see the same brand names that you use at home. One exception and one useful tip: If you use tampons, pack a few boxes of them. They can be difficult to find in Thailand.

But above all, remember – if you pack it, you carry it. And in the tropics, that can be hot work, especially by the time you add some souvenirs to bring home. So pack light, travel light, and enjoy the experience.
Once you’ve arrived, is it all plain sailing? If only… I’ve had good times; I’ve had bad times, but overall I have loved my experience.

So what’s not to love

We all react differently to tropical weather. Your skin can glow – or break out in spots; your hair can decide to shed itself more than is usual – or not. If it does, don’t panic – it is called acclimatization. The climate forces some changes, eating exciting new foods brings others.

One common change – new eating habits mean many of us lose excess weight. Another plus – except for special occasions, I no longer wear makeup because I soon sweat it off, sometimes almost as soon as it goes on. Who said with travel comes freedom?

Then there are the basics: toilets. Standard Western-style toilets are now common, but squat toilets are still the default type, particularly in trains and public conveniences. Your hotel might have either – or both. Squat toilets can call for a bit of unfamiliar balancing at first – but you soon get used to them. It’s good idea to keep a bit of toilet paper and hand sanitizer handy.

When you have found wherever you are staying, and before you head out into the great unknown, ask your landlord to provide you with your address in Thai. It will be handy when you are taking a cab back to your place. (Yes – I’ve seen more than one person telling a cab driver – try this road, try that, I’ll recognize it soon…) For this reason, keep your landlord’s phone number on speed dial.

Now you can get to know your surroundings. Familiarize yourself with your neighborhood. Walk around your apartment building, guesthouse, or hotel and take mental notes. How many blocks to the nearest 7/11? Are there any traffic lights or other easy-to-remember signs that will guide you back to your hotel? Plenty of folks can speak rudimentary English, but helping yourself first makes sense.

An early purchase is likely to be a sim card for your phone – or buying a new phone if you left yours at home. Getting one in Thailand is the easiest thing on the planet – and cheap. You can either buy a dumb phone or use your smart phone. Simcards (and top-ups) are available at 7/11s (you will have no trouble finding one), or from numerous other street outlets. If you want internet on your phone, pay a fee of 300 Baht (10 US dollars) and have unlimited access for a month. If you don’t want to unlock your smart phone, you can buy a dumb phone and use your smart phone just for WiFi.

Yes, there is WiFi! You don’t have to try to rely on WiFi cards from back home. You will have Internet at school, there are plenty of internet cafés, and numerous venues and hotels, restaurants and bars have WiFi.
We come from far-off countries with different ways of doing things. So it helps to recognize local culture and norms. These can read like a regime of do’s and don’ts, but recognizing basic courtesies will help bring you quiet acknowledgement from folk you pass by, and easily offered help on the smallest matter when you want it.

So:

Cover up – please wear a bra at all times. Thailand isn’t California, and it makes sense to recognize different attitudes to what is good and bad taste.

Being topless on the beach is a no-no. Do not wear tank tops or shorts when visiting temples.
You will be teaching young boys and girls, so be sure you don’t reveal cleavage and thighs in the classroom. It might seem conservative to you, but you are bringing to your classroom the best of the West – not what the kids’ parents might think is the worst.

It is recommended that you buy teachers’ skirts and a plain white blouse. They are very cheap and will never get you into trouble with or offend your co-workers. You can find them in any street market for less than $5 dollars.
More generally, don’t do things you wouldn’t do back home.

That can be tough, given your new-found freedom. You will want to experiment a little bit, let your hair down. However, public intoxication, for example, is never ok. You have to remember that you are in a different country; foreigners already have a reputation for being potentially disturbing.

And the locals are not always angels – so don’t walk around with that $1,000 in your pocket. Pick pocketing does happen quite often especially in areas flooded with tourists so leave your passport at home and carry a copy instead.
If you accept a drink from a stranger, make sure it’s a bottled or canned beer that you see opened.
Thais have a well-earned reputation for being endearingly and genuinely friendly. If someone touches your arm, it’s not sexual harassment.

However, Thai men tend to be shy comparatively and certainly respectful. And it’s ok to have dinner with strangers – I do it all the time! It is often unavoidable. Street food is cheap, tables are often crowded. And when eating among friends, it is the norm for everyone to help themselves from common bowls of soup or plates of chicken. So you will quickly learn to share food, and in the process pick up a few words in Thai and make new friends.

Getting around: transport can be remarkably cheap, particularly buses and communal taxis. Tuk-tuks are fun, can be scary, and can be expensive. Make sure you ask the price for your destination before you get on. Motorbikes are cheaper, but can take some getting used to. If you reckon yours is going too fast, tap on the driver’s shoulder and wave him to stop or slow down. Prices are generally negotiated before you get on the bike. After a few days, you will have a fair idea of the general going rates.

Taxis are generally safe. In Bangkok, they are metered, and are not unduly expensive – but make sure the meter is always on.

If you are taking a cab after midnight, you can negotiate prices with cabdrivers. If you encounter a moody driver (it can happen at the end of their shifts, when they have to change with another driver at a predesignated time and place), you can always take the next one. Still, as in any city, it always makes sense to play safe. So it is recommended that you sit in the back. Play with your phone, text a friend. Pretend to be talking to someone or better yet, talk to someone! Have your address in hand.

And last but not least – shopping. Bangkok has phenomenal shopping malls. Some are more glitzy than others, but they all have bargains, and many have top-end international brand-name outlets. If you want to spend $100 in Zara, you can. If you want to spend $10 on an entire outfit at a street market, you can – and can often haggle the price even lower.

However, it is difficult to find good bras and underwear in street markets, so pack light – but pack wisely.
You will have a one-month break in October. Your long break will be in March – May. There are plenty of activities to do during break. They include volunteering across Southeast Asia, English camps, acting gigs or relaxing in the islands. This might be the first time you will be traveling solo since you arrived in Thailand – it doesn’t mean you will be traveling alone. You will meet plenty of people along your way who will become friends and traveling companions. And you will already have plenty of experiences to share with them.

Carla Gott has taught at Thai schools through XploreAsia and is now doing an internship with the company. To reach her you can contact her via email at: gocarla1@umbc.edu.

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