We were in a state of high excitement in the months leading up to our departure.
Heading to Thailand to get our teeth fixed was such a lark, but it also made good economic sense.
It made sense on another level, as well.
Experiencing Thai culture is a valuable part of the journey.
Thailand is justifiably called 'the land of smiles'.
There is an air of gentleness that pervades the land.
The lifestyle is modest and easy-going. Everything is reasonably priced.
It is an easy place to be... Thai people are patient, cheerful and fun to be with.
Their values are less materialistic and they are far less stressed than we are.
Life is meant to be enjoyed, but struggling financially within our present greedy system
robs people of much of that enjoyment. People feel increasingly helpless and enslaved
to a cold system that values personal wealth over the common good, especially in the
realm of health care.
I was tired of living by those standards. I have my own ethics and standards.
I prefer a kindler, gentler way, a more generous and heart-felt way....the Thai way.
In upholding one's ideals, sometimes you have to vote with your feet!
It would be good to go back to that 'home of my heart'.
***
As our plans were finalized, we had excellent communication with our clinic and guesthouse.
As part of their service it is customary to help with airport transfer and your hotel room.
We would be landing late in the evening after some 30 hrs. enroute, so we welcomed a ride
to a comfortable small hotel for the first 2 nights. That would give us time to rest, acclimate
and find our way around our new neighborhood- the place we would call home for the next 2 weeks.
Amazingly, everything we needed was within walking distance of our guesthouse.
Our dental clinic, a hospital, and Thai massage were all within an easy mile.
Walking around, discovering everything was a delight!
We were staying in an area that is culturally quite diverse.
Within a few minutes walk, we found the African and Arab quarters, Korean and Japanese
neighborhoods, old canals lined with teak houses on stilts and ornate temples were
jostling for space with modern malls and other western trappings.
Bangkok is a visual feast...a gastronomic one, as well!
We wound our way through streets lined with food carts laden with delicious foods, fruits and veggies, many of which we had never seen before. The aromas were so amazing!
Really good food was cheap and plentiful around the clock.
Tiny shops filled every available space. Pop-up markets!
Here was a whole nation of small entrepreneurs setting up and breaking down every day.
Melissa, who sets up booths at art fairs, was enchanted! They made it look so easy!
One of the markets we discovered was set aside for deaf people. They were a cheery bunch,
signing away and clowning with each other. Making the most of life!
There were hi-rises interspersed with old traditional neighborhoods where chickens still wandered
the dusty lanes. Everything was a patchwork of old and new, garish and sleek, homely and modern.
The streets were crowded with bright nail polish hued taxis, tuk tuks, motorbike taxis, buses and cars. Traffic jams in Bangkok are legendary. We were constantly surprised at how amiably traffic flowed ...
no one got impatient or honked their horns. People calmly made way for others to get where
they were going safely. The contrast is amazing! This is the way to live!
The feeling of freedom and good will that pervades Thai culture was heartwarming to our gypsy souls. Joking, good-natured haggling over prices, smiles all around, easy-going days are the norm here.
It was so good to shed the stress of western life and to immerse ourselves in the Land of Smiles.
It always feels like a homecoming to me.
People watching is as varied as it gets. Thais mingled with Europeans, Americans, Aussies
and Africans in their variety of native dress.
Arabs, Chinese, Indonesians and Indians were living side by side in an array of cultural
and religious styles. It is dizzying for a first-time visitor.
Somehow, Bangkok manages to encompass and make space for them all.
One morning we wandered the Arab quarter and had breakfast in a Yemeni restaurant.
The Muslim owner quickly surmised that we were Americans and told us that they had all been praying
for us as Hurricane Sandy approached our shores. He addressed us as 'my sister' and 'my daughter'.
Arab women were stand-offish as a rule, but not always. How we need to break down these
judgmental stereotypes...
We walked miles each day between dental appointments, squeezing in as much sightseeing as possible. Every other evening was reserved for a good 2 hour Thai massage. When we were too
bushed to trudge on, we hailed taxis or tuk tuks for a dollar or two... a luxury that could not be
easily afforded back home. Eventually we mastered the wonderful skytrain and subway systems,
as well. It was all quite fun! Lots of exhaust fumes, though!
So...on to the dental part of the story! We had appointments at the same time for our initial
check-ups. After a gentle and thorough exam, a treatment proposal was given to us.
Prices were plainly marked and various options were listed. Less expensive crowns, mid-price and higher priced were discussed, for instance. We had time to ask questions, confer and make decisions.
A deep planing and cleaning would be handled in one visit, not 4, as is done in the US clinics.
Melissa was advised that her gums and teeth were not as horrible as she had been told.
Her situation was straightforward and easily remedied without expensive add-on treatments.
We were amazed!
Cleanings such as these can be painful and nerve-wracking...but not in Thailand!
The dentists and staff were so gentle, non-alarmist and supportive that we actually found ourselves
falling asleep during the cleaning, Our people are so rough in comparison...and rushed.
Appointments followed efficiently day by day with some allowance for our holiday schedules as well.
We were greeted warmly every day by the smiling staff. 'Hello Miss Robinson! How are you today, Melissa?!" They made us feel like family. The clinic was one of our 'homes away from home.'
We never imagined looking forward to going to the dentist, but just that's what happened!
They took so much time with us, making sure that every detail was perfect.
They were so delicate, gentle and patient.
It was dental heaven!
The prices were just as friendly! Melissa's treatment and prices are listed below:
Thailand US______________________
$53.21 - initial visit with 4 x-rays Initial visit $120
$263.82 - 5 cavities (7 surfaces) $936
$260.56 - Root Planing for 4 quadrants $1186 ($800 uninsured price) $577.59 total $2242 ($1856) total
to be continued...
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