2 Weeks In!

As my fellow travelers regale you with tales of our adventures today at Chiang Mai University and the University Hospital, I'm going to take a slightly different approach today. We've been here in Thailand for 2 weeks now, and have finally settled in and gotten comfortable in a country that was completely foreign to us 14 days ago. To me, now seems like the perfect time for some mid-point reflection on what I've learned in the first half of this experience. This list will be a mix of academic and cultural knowledge, along with plenty of photos (Mom, I promise I've been using my camera for lots of pictures every day!)

Without further ado, Amanda's Top Ten Thailand Tidbits:

1) Thailand is HOT. I know this is kind of obvious, but I underestimated just how warm it would be, and the fact that you essentially need 2 outfits every day (1 set of professional, 1 with shorts and the lightest shirt you can find.)

2) Using images of Budda for decoration or as tattoos is illegal. Budda should only be used for religious purposes.

3) Community Pharmacy is completely different in Thailand, placing pharmacists in the role of counselor, doctor, prescriber, dispenser, cheerleader, and mobile clinic. While their system for medications is very different from ours, they are very empowered to help patients manage their conditions like blood pressure and diabetes in a way that is difficult to find for community pharmacists in the states, through home visits and reimbursements for clinic type services. (PS: provider status would really help us out in this area!

4) Sometimes the TP is mounted on the wall outside of the stalls.

5) Just like at home, Thai people also only want "The little round white one." When the pharmacy switches generic manufacturers for a product, compliance often goes down because patients think the medication is wrong since it doesn't look the same. This is a conversation I have almost daily at home, and it has been mentioned a few times by pharmacists here during our visits. #counselingiskey

6) The rules of the road are more like suggestions, particurally for those on motor bikes.

7) Thai health outcomes are pretty good in the grand scheme of the world, and their expenditures per capita are reasonable (around 4% of GDP.) In addition, every Thai citizen has health coverage, making sure everyone can get the care they need. While there are different insurance schemes available, everyone has access, whether through employment or through governmental sponsored Universal Coverage.

8) There is so much more to Thai food than Pad Thai, and curry is actually pretty tasty. I regret not being more adventurous with the menu at Thai restaurants back home.

9) Thai hotels are pretty energy conscious. In order to operate the lights or the ac, you have to insert your room key into a slot on the wall. In theory this means that if you aren't in your room, you aren't using any electricity or phantom power from the TV or chargers you left plugged in.

10) A 28 hour journey halfway around the world is more than worth it to have this amazing experience!

Bonus #11) The Thai word for laser is pronounced leseeerrrr.

Now for the photos:

Buddas at Wat Pho

Exploring Wat Pho

A Class of Children at the Duang Prateep Foundation

Checking out the log book for controls at the community pharmacy

A small spectator who wanted to watch our home health screenings

Checking out the floating market

Adventures at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep