Blog Post #4 – Ayutthaya
Things are progressing very fast here in Thailand! I am now getting the chance to see my own patients and provide them with treatment and care throughout both the passive and active portions of their treatments, under the guidance of my mentor of course. The patients are extremely fun to work with and are always up for a challenge. It’s been awesome being able to practice my skills in a live environment!
This past weekend consisted of traveling to the city of Ayutthaya, the old capital of Thailand and home to some of the oldest temple ruins in the country. Read up on the fascinating history and description of the city courtesy of Wikipedia.
The city was full of beautiful colors and ruins. I love seeing historical markers around states and countries and learning about who used to walk that area of land and why they left. Although there were few English descriptions, I was able to do some research of my own and follow along via google. I couldn’t get over how exhausting all the brick work must have been, especially in the heat of Thailand. The people of Ayutthaya kingdom must have been extremely hard workers, as their masterpieces are still standing even 400 years later.
We also stopped at a local temple throughout our day trip that had a Christian church on site as well as other Buddhist traditional temples.
I have been learning much about Buddhism and the way of life according to the Buddha. I tend to relate a lot to the religions Hinduism and Buddhism, as most people don’t consider it a religion but rather a way of life. For example, one of the Buddha’s teachings is, “Ships don’t sink because of the water around them. Ships sink because of the water that gets in them. Don’t let what’s happening around you get inside you and weigh you down”. I think this is a quote that we can all relate to, especially throughout the pandemic and in our everyday life. I have very much enjoyed my time being able to listen to the Thai way of life and get a different perspective on how and why they choose to live their lives the way they do.
At the clinic, I just completed a weekend course regarding spinal manipulation as well as continuing my practice with myofascial release. I admire all the physiotherapists here for all their continued coursework and classes they complete, even after a long 8 hour day at work. Each PT brings something unique to the clinic, and together they form this amazing “dream team”. I am extremely fortunate to be able to take a little bit of knowledge from each of them back home and implement it into my future skills as a physical therapist.
This upcoming weekend, I am traveling to Krabi, Thailand! Home to beautiful beaches and relaxation. I can’t wait to experience another few days of beach life, new food, and taking some time for myself. After that, I only will have about 2 weeks left in Thailand, which will be spent wrapping up my internship at the clinic and going over the skills I have learned prior to leaving. I am starting to get a little homesick, but am also quite sad that my time here has been so short and is ending very soon. It is a bittersweet feeling, but I am excited for what is to come in the next few weeks!
-Miranda
Read Next:
- Miranda’s Travel Correspondent Blog 3
- Miranda’s Travel Correspondent Blog 2
- Rose’s Travel Correspondent Blog 3
- Intern in Thailand
Posted by World Endeavors on March 19, 2021
World Endeavors believes that international travel has the power to change lives, broaden horizons, and deepen intercultural understanding. The world is undergoing rapid changes, with societies becoming more interconnected and environmentally aware; at the same time a more challenging global economy inspires in many a need to reach out and make a positive difference while seeking personal growth opportunities. There has never been a better time than now to travel abroad.
