17 Reasons You Know You Love Southeast Asia
Migration Mark has been in South East Asia since March of 2009 and has grown to love a few serious things but mostly the extraordinarily quirky things.
1. Chili Peppers…Please!
I grew up eating food with spice and sometimes with chili. Throughout SE Asia however, I have nurtured my ever craving lust for the succulent seeded heat of chili peppers. I simply can’t taste food unless there is an abundance of hot chilies involved in the meal. In my month in Indonesia, I was able to come up with 9 mandatory foods to eat in Indonesia and every single dish would not be the same without a massive dollop of sambal chili sauce.
2. No Toilet Paper for Me…
Before coming to SE Asia the thought of spraying after “making a release” really sounded quite dreadful. Now, I really don’t feel clean if I have to use Toilet Paper. I much prefer the spray and shake method. As I like to say, “a powerful spray, goes a loooong way.”
3. Rice, Rice, and Rice
You don’t normally get Kenyan style nyama choma in Asia, but anything with rice is splendidly satisfying. Though I am 1/2 Chinese and grew up eating rice on the daily, my habitual rice eating has been reinforced. Just like the locals I hung out with in Batad of the Philippines rice terraces, If I don’t eat rice 2-3 times a day I’m just not fully satisfied in life.
4. King of Fruits…Bow Down
The notorious durian fruit, also known as the “king of fruits” smells pretty far from appetizing. In Malaysia I was able to tackle the durian fruit in the form of buffet and now I actually crave it from time to time. It’s actually and surprisingly quite delicious!!!
5. Squatting Potting
My thighs have become absurdly strong, and it’s surely not from the gym, it’s from squatting at so many roadside locations. I’m not ashamed to admit that I find myself squatting on top of regular toilets from time to time without thinking about it…weird.
6. Scooter Butt
As a first timer on a horse may need to walk afterward with a wide stance, so sitting on the back of a scooter too long creates scooter butt (sitting on the back of a moped for a long period of time). However, there is hope, my butt has now become accustomed to scooter butt.
7. Massage?
In the United States I never dreamed of having a massage. Here in SE Asia I have become used to either paying a humble 200 baht ($5), having a cute fish massage, or if I am sitting randomly on the roadside an old man might possibly come to lightly rub my shoulders. If you’ve been in SE Asia for a while you can bet on this. Warning though, at first it’s a little awkward.
8. Food Expenditure
If I have to dish out more than a dollar for a single meal or go to an established “sit down” restaurant, I immediately feel rather uncomfortable, strange, and just plain incompetent. It seems my entire personality has evolved to really only relate to street food or hole in the wall eateries where I can spend less that a dollar.
9. Environmental Spectacles
The environmental beauty of SE Asia is incredible. Hiking deadly volcanoes, climbing rice terraces from Mayoao to Batad, and pretending to be a millionaire on pristine beaches. I haven’t even itched the surface of possibilities.
10. Heat Streak
If the temperature drops below 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.6 Celsius) I start to get goosebumps and shivers. It’s peculiar, but I’m starting to realize why people sell goose down parkas roadside.
11. Food-Tastic
I have said this time and time again and I could go on and on; the food in SE Asia is just unparalleled. Where else can you expect and demand to eat Manchester United Burgers, Nasi Campur mystery buffets, Bangkok Boat Noodles, feast on fetus of Balut, and then get ultimately dirty in Seafood Dampa?
12. Natural Shirt Vent
In SE Asia numerous youth and men alike walk around with shirts cinched up just below the breast. I too cannot resist walking around all day with my shirt pulled up halfway over my stomach to increase the airflow. Note: I especially and would recommend doing this after heavy meals
13. Karaoke Singing
Most embarrassingly on the list, I find myself thinking even sometimes dreaming about karaoke and secretly hoping for more.
14. Need to be Sweating
After attempting to jog in Manila, an orangutan trek in Sumatra, my try at conquering hot yoga, and then paired with avoiding the usage of an air conditioner, I have simply come to the conclusion that sweating is natural and feels right to me.
15. Diving Off Roads
Driving in Indonesia taught me a lot about pedestrians walking on the side of any street. With little more than a micro second notice, pedestrians are forced to casually dive off the sidewalk or side of the road into pools of water or muddy basins as motorcycles or overloaded trucks zoom past with an intimidating breeze. After some time, a few near perishing occasions, and learning to open my eyes wider by paying attention, it is now easy and somewhat enjoyable for me to avoid oncoming or sometimes incoming traffic.
16. Human Hordes
As with motorways, hordes of people will inevitably be “in your way” when walking anywhere. Swag surfin, booty shaking, or simply patience, are invaluable when dealing with massive crowds. Soon you become accustomed and enjoy the variety and mixture of random humanity.
17. Opportunity to Help Others
From assisting in the charity projects of In Search of Sanuk, building houses with hope, being immersed in Payatas, and hanging out at the Bali house of life, there is not much better value than helping others with the secret recipe for 100% guaranteed happiness. Spending time and hanging out with others will put a smile on everyone, inside and out.
I’ve learned quite a few things since taking up migrationology, some things can be a little awkward until you remember, Nothing Is Awkward in Southeast Asia, loosen up and enjoy.
Please suggest any other reasons of how you know you love Southeast Asia, or ask me any questions!
-Migration Mark
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Ah you’ve just made me miss it that little bit more, nice article.
[...] 17 Reasons You Know You Love Southeast Asia [...]
Well, while some of them are a little bit awkward, I must say your reasons are pretty powerful. I loved Thailand, that I know, and it was because of the human interaction and diversity.
Interesting take
OK – I have to ask. What is fetus of Balut? I really had fun reading this.
Fetus of balut is a developed embryo egg, hard boiled into a Filipino street delicacy. One first cracks the shell at the top and drinks out the chicken soup (maybe it’s pee). The egg white is then eaten followed by the developed embryo or fetus. If there is enough vinegar and chili it can be quite delicious. Thanks for the comment, appreciate it!
Pretending to be millionaires is where we succeed most
this is a beautiful article, I wish I could have feasted upon the Indonesian delights with you…. Luckily however I can share the spray with you daily after any and every meal of chilis for a one sok or less
Hi Mark.. I like the way you explain about Balut! LOL!
I knew few people who switch off the lights before gulping a balut!
@Joel, dude, when it comes to feasting and partaking of munch we can easily call ourselves millionaires. There is always time for Indonesian grastronomic delights.
@Frugal Expat, Thanks! Switching off the lights might be a great way to trick people into eating the fetus!
[...] 17 Reasons You Know You Love Southeast Asia [...]
[...] 17 Reasons You Know You Love Southeast Asia [...]
[...] 17 Reasons You Know You Love Southeast Asia [...]
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Really love this post, and can comfirm that you can see many things from SE Asian countries, especially in Thailand…^_^ I don’t how much you travel around this country, but please do it continuously. You’ll see many magnificent things here…culture, food, people, places, etc. Hey, Durian of Nonthaburi or Chantaburi Provinces, Thailand…is one of the best, I think…if possible, try it once.
Thanks for the advice Aom, glad you liked this post!
Revisiting this post after a long time. Haha, this is a lovely and hilarious post. Somehow I can imagine you squatting on the roadside after a sweaty jog, then an old man comes by to give you a massage. Thank you for sharing Mark. I would love to experience some of these myself.
P.S. The soup in the balut isn’t pee, hehe. I don’t think the duck’s quite developed for that.
Love the post, it’s all so true! I too am a HUGE fan of thailand street food or hole in the wall eateries. All the reasons you have here bring back memories of thailand. And I’m getting exited to be going back, I”m headed to bangkok next week. Haven’t tried ballut though, might have to give it a go.
big fan of the blog too, keep up the good work.
Haha, that’s a great picture you have in your mind. Hopefully one day I can perform that exact scenario!
I really appreciate the comment Erik,
Yes, street food is amazing and Thailand is on top of its game. Have an awesome trip and eat well!
I am a Pilipino expat in Qatar and… you are making me miss Philippines!
Hi Mark,
New fan here. Got your link from Untemplater.
I gotta say I appreciate your genuine love for SE Asia. I was born and raised in Indonesia but have been spending the past 8 years in Australia. I’m sick of hearing people’s complaints about Asia; the weather, the traffic jam, the crowd, blegh! Of course it’s not the same, that’s the point of travelling! Duh! You have to embrace the craze and flavour of Asia if you want to have a great time there.
Very funny and warm article. Love it!
). Hopefully that will alleviate my dork point when I’m rocking it in the club 
Oh and yes, I can never thank you enough for introducing me to Swag Surfin’ dance (swag and surf, from left to right, and move your arms, you got it
Hey Bytta,
Thank you so much for checking out my website, and for learning how to swag surf!!! You just made me laugh pretty hard!
All places are different and have different or unique ways of doing things. To me, this is what makes things interesting while traveling and what continually urges me to see new places. I’m fully with you, you have got to fully embrace, look for the positive, enjoy life, and try to have the best time anywhere you are.
Thanks a lot!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sarah Morales, Yan Baggs. Yan Baggs said: 17 Reasons You Know You Love Southeast Asia – http://b2l.me/82tsp (via @migrationology) [...]
I have read this article before but loved it this time as well.
Have you mastered the art of squatting? It always amazes me that Filipinos can just take a rest anywhere they want just by squatting down. Thier feet flat on the ground. It is one of my goals to be able to do that! Sorry, I have too much weight on me right now but working on it.
Once again, I love the way you always include the food scened in your posts! Love the pictures of the market. Thanks
Thanks so much Randall. I have managed to be able to sit squatting, but I wouldn’t say too comfortable yet. Yah, all over Asia you see people just squatting to take a break. You’ve got to practice!
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