So... I'm Moving Back to England

[GLCQuantum]

An end of an era...

Most of you guys, that have known me for the past 9 years on here (and those that have known me for the 12 years outside of the forum), know that I'm a guy that's not gonna be happy here for a lifetime. They, the ol' powers that be, could legalize god's lettuce and I'd still not be ship shape. I almost moved to China a little while back, but me old mucker Pharvey put me off that idea somewhat. After further research, I thank him for his insight into the country.

So today it was finalized. At around 6ish in the evening, on November 7th, I will be home again.

It's been a hell of a ride. I'm surprised that I, a loose cannon, managed to get through 12 years to be fair. People as 'up and down' as myself are usually chewed up and spat out within a year, never mind a decade... so that's something. I came here potless, on a business class ticket, a few days before my 21st birthday. I'm leaving here, potless, a few months after my 33rd birthday. I'm sure I'll be back, but it'll be for holiday purposes only.

I simply can't handle...

* being an alien.

* the fact that I could be kicked out of the country at the whim of an ignorant xenophobic.

* working for 'precious' people who can't handle criticism.

* the dirt, rubbish and pollution.

* the increasing level of street dogs once again in Hua Hin.

* blah blah blah etc etc.

I'm moving from the place of the mysterious 'jumping off balcony farangs' to the 'happiest place in the UK', Harrogate. I'm used to switching between each polar extreme so this suits me to a tee.

So...

What to expect after 12 years away?

[buksida]

I've just come back to Thailand after visiting England after an 18 year sojourn away and I absolutely loved it there. But I also love it here for completely different reasons, the two countries are poles apart, the two countries piss me off at the highest level some times, so all I try to do is stay within that magnetic field and keep a balance - which is not easy by any means!

My thoughts and a few photos from my first trip back in case you're interested: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=32774

[GLCQuantum]

I've just come back to Thailand after visiting England after an 18 year sojourn away and I absolutely loved it there. But I also love it here for completely different reasons, the two countries are poles apart, the two countries piss me off at the highest level some times, so all I try to do is stay within that magnetic field!

My thoughts and a few photos from my first trip back in case you're interested: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=32774

I followed your trip with great interest Buksi. The photos made me a little homesick to be fair, but that's just your skilled handiwork with the camera, I fear.

[gerryha]

I can hardly believe your post! It encapsulates exactly the reason why, after 11 years, we are leaving Thailand in Jan. It is often said that Thais dont want us here and I no longer want to live where it is made clear on a daily basis that we are not welcome. One of the saddest things is that I have never met a farang who has a real Thai friend - go for a few beers together, pop round each others house etc.

Best of luck with the move.

[Name Taken]

I can hardly believe your post! It encapsulates exactly the reason why, after 11 years, we are leaving Thailand in Jan. It is often said that Thais dont want us here and I no longer want to live where it is made clear on a daily basis that we are not welcome. One of the saddest things is that I have never met a farang who has a real Thai friend - go for a few beers together, pop round each others house etc.

Best of luck with the move.

I can't say that I have ever met a farang who has a real Thai friend either, and I have been here for about 10 years.

[Pagey]

Good Luck GLC,

Harrogate is a nice place and a lot of the population are the same age as HH I guess !

And it's only a short drive to 'Ull........

[Dannie Boy]

I travelled a few times to Harrogate on business in the early 90's, when GLC would have been in shorts (he probably still is a lot of the time) and then two things I recall most - staying at the Majestic Hotel an old hotel with lots of charm and finding the best Indian restaurant (food wise) I have probably ever had. No idea what the name was, but the female chef who ran the place also taught Indian cookery classes at Harrogate College. Not only was the food fantastic, the prices were rock bottom and while you were eating, the chef came and asked you what you thought of the food. I'm sure lots will have changed since then, but good luck GLC.

[StevePIraq]

Good luck GCL, I agree with every reason you give and that is one reason why I never stay here too long. Make the best of life in the UK until your next expedition comes along.

[aragon]

I'm moving from the place of the mysterious 'jumping off balcony farangs' to the 'happiest place in the UK', Harrogate. I'm used to switching between each polar extreme so this suits me to a tee.

Sorry, but......

Harrogate's NOT Britain's happiest town anymore! After three years, it's knocked off the top by Essex seaside spot Leigh-on-Sea

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... h-Sea.html

[dundrillin]

Good luck with your move back to England. Hopefully like HuaHin Farang you will keep posting.

[stretch]

if you think England is England your deluded its not welcoming to the English your more of an alien in England than you are in Thailand and the rubbish on the streets is a lot deeper

[pharvey]

Well mate, you've certainly made the right decision in not moving to China! Certainly not the place for you IMO. You'll certainly see a lot of changes in the UK since your move to Thailand, but unlike as some have said far, far from all bad....... although some depend on your feelings towards "Fat Bottomed Girls"!!

All the best with the move, I'm sure it'll go well for you Also, as dundrillin says, hopefully you'll keep posting.

if you think England is England your deluded its not welcoming to the English your more of an alien in England than you are in Thailand and the rubbish on the streets is a lot deeper

True for a few areas, but tarring the entire country with the same brush is completely wrong.

[Big Boy]

I wish you well for the future.

My son has just been back in the UK for 5 weeks, the first time in over 4 years. OK, he was in holiday mode, but he had the most fantastic time whilst there. Of course things move on and there were changes, but not all for the bad.

It would be nice to hear from you, maybe 6 months to a year on, letting us know how you have found the move.

I actually remember talking to you in P&P Bar not long after you'd moved here. The conversation back then went something like, dead end job, all alone, no future and broke, so you packed your bags and moved here for a better life. As I said, things move on. I have no intention of ever returning to the UK................................ but never say never.

[heartofmidlothian]

UK is a great place to live. Thailand is also a great place to live. Good luck to those who decide to leave Thailand because they don't like it anymore. What I don't understand is those who choose to stay here but constantly complain about Thai people not liking them. Maybe it is because you are always complaining and criticising their country instead of learning their language, talking to them and trying to understand them.

[Jack Sprat]

UK is a great place to live. Thailand is also a great place to live. Good luck to those who decide to leave Thailand because they don't like it anymore. What I don't understand is those who choose to stay here but constantly complain about Thai people not liking them. Maybe it is because you are always complaining and criticising their country instead of learning their language, talking to them and trying to understand them.

Spot on......an extremely important point when living anywhere in the world.....many seem to carry on blissfully without even a thought to this very astute observation.