Which life is better?

Light-colored sand, crystal clear blue water, and the warm sun -- this is how I spent the week of my winter vacation.  Just by viewing a picture or two, one can easily see the natural beauty of Thailand's coasts and islands.

After a few days at Koh Samet island and observing the lives of Thais, I couldn't help but wonder: Do these islanders have it better?  These Thai people lived simple lives with simple jobs.  Some gave massages and facials, while others made jewelry.  Some cooked and served food at restaurants, while others sold fruit on the beach.

When I mentioned this thought to the friend that I was traveling with, she quickly said, "But why do many try to leave here then?  Why are there mail-order brides?  The trouble is that they can't ever leave."

I sat and reflected on this a bit.  Despite reflecting on her statements, a part of me still couldn't help but believe that the life of an islander is still better.  As I watched them going about their daily activities, I saw that their lives were not congested with empty material things -- fancy house, cell phones, TV, designer clothes, etc.  When I imagined having a life like that, I couldn't help but wish I had that same simplicity.

After our four days at Koh Samet island, we traveled back to Bangkok to celebrate the New Year.

Many people told me before going that Bangkok is a weird city.  I will admit that it is pretty unique, but I didn't feel that it was weird in a bad way, but in a good way.  You still had large malls and name brand material items, but it wasn't "ritzy".  The amount of materialism wasn't as pronounced.  In fact, it was quite obvious that the city still had a good portion of poverty and that the city was still developing -- gradually.  In this regard, I suppose that I felt that it was more authentic and genuine than most cities in this world.

As a foreigner visiting Bangkok, perhaps the frustrating part of being there was the consistent bargaining for all goods and services.  There was also the struggle with dishonesty in when those goods and services were provided.  These were consistent trends that I saw throughout all of Thailand, but I sensed a stronger drive to earn money on the streets of Bangkok.

Truly, I can't blame them.  After all, every society and country had bargaining and dishonesty (to some extent) as their economy was developing.  It is human nature to act in such a way when in such living conditions.  We believe that our material possessions are never good enough, so we react in hurting one another.

With that thought in mind, I look back to the developed countries of the world -- such as the United States.  The US is one of the top leading economies in the world, but are the people who live their satisfied?  No.  Instead we seek to find happiness in empty material things such as name brand clothes, a brand new car, or a new house.

So which life is better?

Personally, I'd still choose the life of an islander -- eating delicious fruits and delectable Thai food every day without ever needing to be surrounded by such man-made physical illusions for happiness.

After all, how could you not appreciate seeing this every day?