Living in another country - located in a completely different geographic region - can be both rewarding and daunting in so many ways. Your mind and body become so acclimated and comfortable to new ways of life, culinary choices, and methods of communication that come hand in hand with international travel. One new experience that I don't think any of us will get over, however, is the weather in Thailand. The temperature in Chiang Mai is about 30-32 degrees Celsius - a nice, normal 90° day in sunny California. So what makes the weather so different? The almost constant 90% humidity. I think the entire SMRT group has come to the consensus that we have sweat more on this trip than we have in our entire lives. At first it was uncomfortable. We would all be constantly fanning ourselves with our hands, hoping that by some magic a bit of hand waving would create a sudden arctic dry spell. When it didn't, we opted for excessive showering and wardrobe-changing instead. As time has passed though, our bodies and minds have grown much more acclimated to the previously "ridiculous" weather patterns. I have officially accepted sweat as a permanent member of my existence, and even have come to find charm in the constant gleam that makes me look like a plastic mannequin shimmering in the sunlight. I no longer worry about wiping away sweat, taking excessive showers or changing my clothes at the slightest discomfort. I feel stronger and more tolerant to slight discomforts, which I believe will benefit me greatly in life. In fact, I believe that every SMRT has accepted themselves for the beautiful, rustic human being that they are, and I know we will take this back with a smile when we return to the states.
-Miranda
-Miranda