Travel Tips from a Pro
Inviting Ashlee Carroll to Thailand with us was absolutely strategic.
Ashlee has lived her advocacy through domestic foster care as a foster mom and family champion. We were excited for her to connect those dots to the global movement towards family. Plus, Ashlee is a professional photographer. While in Thailand she trained all of our staff and artisans to capture their work using cameras she fundraised to purchase for GCA.
What we did not strategically plan was (1) how hilarious Ashlee is which created nonstop laughter to deflate any travel stress or jet lag. And (2) what a wonderfully prepared traveler this woman is. She now has an open invite for all of our travels.
After seeing her brilliance (and borrowing many helpful items) we asked Ashlee to share her tips and wisdom for everyone who might come visit our team in Thailand. We hope you find all of these tips as helpful as we have!
Meet Ashlee Carroll
Thailand is a beautiful country and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to travel there in the Summer of 2022 with GCA. I came home with such wonderful memories and hopes of returning with my family soon. Hello, my name is Ashlee- daughter of the King, Wife, Mother and advocate for vulnerable children. I am a foster parent in the US and have a published children’s book titled “We Are A Foster Family”. For this article, Julie asked me to share some tips for Westerners traveling with GCA. I will attempt to keep it brief, but I have a feeling some stories may be weaved in.
First, learn some basic Thai phrases. Even though many people in tourist areas speak English, it's always helpful to know a few basic Thai phrases such as "hello," "thank you," and "how much?" It will show respect for the local culture and make it easier for you to communicate with locals. Funny story, I spent many hours on an app learning some Thai before landing in Mae Sot to realize most locals speak Burmese or Karen. *face palm* SO, don’t make the same mistake!
Learning some basic Thai is great though, for the airport and possibly travel in Bangkok. The wonderful people in Mae Sot were so patient with me and even helped teach me some quick Burmese and Karen. (Pronounced Kah-wren) Having a few phrases to practice when you arrive will certainly help break the ice. Everyone at the GCA office loved when I attempted to use the local languages! It means a lot to them that you have attempted to learn, so give it a shot!
Second, be prepared for jet lag. Jet lag can be a real challenge when traveling abroad, especially because you will be crossing multiple time zones. The time difference between Mae Sot and Austin is 12 hours. There is no simple way to get to Mae Sot, so you’ll want to try to help yourself as much as possible. Staying hydrated is part of this. I linked some great quick-dissolving tabs for on the go in the link below. I also added the Melatonin drink mix I used to sleep on the plane.
To help mitigate jet lag, try to adjust your sleep schedule a few days before your trip, and when you arrive, try to get outside and get some sunlight as soon as possible. It’s a good idea to try to sleep some on the plane.
TIP: I bought some “Jet Zone: Jet Lag Prevention” from amazon. It’s homeopathic and likely just placebo, but I took it as directed on the way to Thailand and barely noticed jet lag. I did not take it on the way home and slept for 48 hours when I arrived home. So maybe go ahead and grab that! I have an amazon list saved with the items that helped me for this trip which I will link at the end.
Pack light and smart. Thailand is hot and humid, so it's best to pack lightweight clothing that can be easily washed and dried. Bugs are another wonderful part of being in Thailand so be sure you pack some bug spray. I chose to also spray my clothing items before we left with a special product that helps repel pesky mosquitos- also linked in the amazon list.
If you actually like bugs you can also try them from a street vendor on a stick! JK, I do NOT recommend eating the street food, but you will see Ashlee H do it. So take some photos and save your stomach. Don’t forget to bring a good pair of comfortable walking shoes and a hat to protect yourself from the sun. Pack a light rain jacket for those rain showers that come and go. It's also a good idea to pack a small first aid kit, including basic medications such as pain relievers and anti-diarrheal meds. Side note for the ladies: Feminine products are super limited in Thailand so pack a few of those as well. I had to break into a local westerner’s stash she brought from the US and I felt TERRIBLE for it. While packing it’s a good idea to check the baggage restrictions of all your airlines and the size of the luggage you can take with you- checked and carry-on.
Be mindful of cultural customs. Thailand is a Buddhist country, so it's important to be respectful of their customs and traditions. This includes removing shoes before entering a temple, dressing modestly, and not touching people on the head (as it is considered sacred). *Side note: You will absolutely encounter a squatty-potty so look that up and be prepared to occasionally squat over a hole or short type toilet. They also use water to flush and toilet paper is rare. A small roll of travel TP is linked in my list and you should buy it; you will thank me. You will also likely remove your shoes before entering homes and some businesses. Speaking of businesses, you should always bargain for goods. Shopping at markets and street vendors is a great way to find unique souvenirs, but be prepared to bargain for the price. A good rule of thumb is to start at half the asking price and work your way up from there. This is not offensive to the locals, they expect it. So exchange some dollars at the airport and see what treasures you can bargain for!
Lastly, but most important bring your open-mind and be flexible! Traveling abroad can be unpredictable, and things may not always go as planned. Be open to new experiences and try to go with the flow. Remember that it's all part of the adventure, and you'll have many stories to tell when you return home. You are in great hands with Ashlee and Julie. They are well-traveled and quick on their feet. I never felt un-safe at any point and everyone there was so welcoming. Pray for God to open your heart and eyes to see what He sees and I promise you will return to the US with life-changing experience.
I have been blessed to travel quite a bit and have been to poverty-stricken areas, so I was prepared for that. The one thing that truly caught me off-guard though was the pure joy the children in the slums exude. They have literally nothing, but they play and smile and enjoy their village of family and friends. It is so eye- opening and one of the best gifts I will carry from my trip.
While there I was taking some photos for GCA and was able to capture their sweet joy! I wanted to bring a very small “happy” for the children so I packed a few sheets of stickers. When I pulled them out before leaving the slums you would have thought I brought out gold covered candy- they were so intrigued and excited.
So maybe think of a very small item like stickers and pack that too! My last piece of advice is pack God’s love and words of encouragement. These transcend language barriers and will absolutely bless the people you encounter. May He bless you and keep you while you go out to be the hands and feet of Jesus! Mingalaba!