Out and About is a column where we chat with people who currently live abroad, or who used to live and work abroad. This week we chat with Sulize Koekemoer who lives in “The land of smiles”, she tells us more about her adventures abroad.
Hello Sulize, tell us about where in the world you are living and why you decided to go there.
I live in Thailand on the beautiful island of Phuket. After I completed my studies in 2019, I knew that I wanted to travel to explore places. I didn’t have definite plans. Everything happened so fast, I remember it as if it was yesterday – a friend had a family member who was appointed as principal here in Phuket and this is how we made contact. The interview took place before Christmas 2019 and two weeks later me and two of my friends whom I had studied with, got on an airplane to Phuket to teach here. We did not even think twice about it, it just felt right.
Adjusting in a new country can be a challenge, what was the most difficult thing for you to get used to?
The biggest adjustment was the language and the food. I come from a very Afrikaans town, where we were used to “boerekos en braaivleis”. Thai food is very different from South African food – lots of rice and soup and of course chillies! You learn very quickly and after two years you know where to get food that tastes more like your mom’s. Communicating was difficult, as most people here speak Thai. Luckily it is a tourist destination so in many parts people are used to speaking English. After being here for two years I am still not able to speak Thai, but at least I know a few basic words. Thailand is known as “The land of smiles” for a reason, everybody here is very friendly and helpful.
Are there any South African shops located near you where you can buy comfort food such as biltong?
We do not have South African shops close by, but there are many options. You can buy biltong and milk tart at Shanti’s Lodge in the Chalong area. There are also a few places where you can order biltong from Bangkok, one that I know of is Derick the Biltong Man. If you feel like nice Sunday food you can go to Thong Dee in Kathu. They have potatoes, three types of meat, vegetables and an English Yorkshire pudding. At Really Good Deli you can buy boerewors for a boerewors roll. Most products are available here if there is something you want to make yourself, my roommate and I have made nice rusks, for instance.
Tell us more about your job. What does a typical day look like? Is life more laid back there and do you have more free time?
I am a primary school teacher (mommy) for 21 children. They are all between six and seven years old. Here it is called level P1. My mornings start very early, at 06:00, with a nice cup of coffee and the sunrise. I then get everything ready for school in order to clock in at 07:45. On the level I work there are many other South Africans and friends, so we sometimes also manage to get a coffee later during the day.
I normally get home after 17:00. I live opposite a park, so depending on my day I will go for a jog, a session at the gym, or visit the beach to watch the sunset. Eating out and ordering food is very easy and convenient, it all depends on what you want to eat.
My roommate and I both love cooking, sometimes we just quickly prepare something. Mondays to Fridays are relatively normal and I am usually in bed by 22:00.
During weekends we get busy. A braai on the beach with all our friends, a visit to the different islands, or a trip with our “poegies” looking for new places and beaches to explore.
How did you manage to fit in and make friends? Are you primarily friends with people from South Africa or did you make friends from other cultures?
We were originally three friends who came here together, but earlier this year two more friends joined us. Making friends is easy, at our school there are many South Africans who formed friendships. We have also met many other South Africans on the island and formed friendships, but we have many friends from different cultures.
It is nice to get to know other cultures and the things you can learn from them, the types of food they eat and the way they think. I usually describe us as a rainbow circle of friends, because we are people from all around the world, it keeps things interesting.
I am thankful for all my friends here; they are my Phuket family. One thing I have to say, is that nobody here has ever met a South African that is not friendly, and it makes my heart so happy and proud!
How do accommodation options in Phuket differ from that in South Africa?
Accommodations options are far cheaper, many people prefer to stay in a condo. It is a modern small one-bedroom apartment that is a comfortable and easy choice. The condo is usually furnished with a couch, bed, kitchen amenities, electronic appliances to prepare food, and a large swimming pool. If you are lucky enough to have a roommate, you can look at large two or three bedroom houses, prices are very reasonable when compared to your salary.
I have moved three times already – every time to a furnished house, because you never know how long you will stay. Water is very cheap, about R70 per month.
Electricity expenses all depends on how often you use your air conditioning (which is usually all the time) with the excessive heat we experience here. Getting accommodation is a swift process, and there are always affordable hotels and hostels to live in.
What do you miss the most about South Africa?
My family and my friends. To light the fires on a Saturday evening, listen to Afrikaans music and enjoy a nice glass of wine. Phuket is beautiful and wonderful, but it is not the same as South African people with their unique spirit. I miss driving on the back of a bakkie on a maize field and to smell the fresh air. It is difficult to condense everything I miss about South Africa into one sentence. There are many things I miss, but also many things I appreciate here where I am now. Knowing that I will always have a place and a home in South Africa makes my heart feel calm and grateful.
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