Recording summary · May 2023
Why i miss living in England
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Overview
Living away from the United Kingdom for eight months across Thailand, Japan, and Vietnam prompts reflections on home comforts alongside specific frustrations abroad.
Daily difficulties overseas include managing unsafe tap water, restricted shopping options due to foreign card rejections and the lack of Amazon in Thailand, language barriers diminishing adult independence, and digestive and skin symptoms experienced in Thailand.
Appreciation for England centers on British foods, spacious homes, and tranquil countryside landscapes with gentle wildlife, while contrasting with persistent strikes, public rudeness, youth harassment, and safety concerns experienced in England compared to parts of Asia.
Themes
Challenges of undrinkable tap water abroad, heavy bottled water purchases, and related health symptoms.
Appreciation and defense of British cuisine, including pasties, pies, bacon, and British Chinese takeaways, compared to foreign food options.
Erosion of personal independence resulting from language barriers and local online shopping constraints.
Contrasts between the peaceful English countryside and wildlife against Asian environments and fauna.
Transit strikes, hospital disruptions, youth intimidation, and anti-East Asian harassment in England versus safety in Asia.
Developments
Daniel left the UK roughly eight months earlier and stayed across Thailand, Japan, and Vietnam.
Daniel and a companion bought around 20 large water bottles and transported them from a car to an apartment.
Daniel traveled to England with his ex-wife for Christmas and had her sample items including pork pies and Cornish pasties.
Uncertainties & gaps
The precise origin of the recurring daily stomach troubles and hand rashes that cease after leaving Thailand is unconfirmed, although tap water is suspected.