Querencia: in which one's true self is at tranquil. Many people find their querencia at places that is close to their home such as schools, local gyms, library, etc but, mine's at a rural village in Udon Thani, Thailand called Bang Cheng Yun. Bang Cheng Yun, is a place that I can always reminisce on whenever I'm particularly upset or stressed because, of the various memories that came along with it. Memories of the delicacies, night life, and my family are my resort of relaxation and although, it is 6,323 miles away from me it is my querencia.



The view, of the village was filled with neutral hues and then at the end of it stood two dragon pedestals welcoming visitors into the lavish temple. There was only one temple within the village and the most fanciest one I ever saw. The shades of red, yellow, and green that decorated the place complimented each other so effortlessly, and it amazed me. It was so vast, that it seemed like I could've placed the whole island of Oahu in it. Simply put it, every feature of the temple enchanted me. Also, there were many rice fields to take in and each one was filled with many patches of rice plants and it seemed like it never ended. It filled me with fascination that the rice fields appeared that it reached all the way to the other side of the planet. Not only that, there were little stores placed alongside the dirt road and every one of them were filled with ice cream, seaweed chips, crackers, little figurines, and more. The stores were actually the garages of most people's homes so you could see their belongings all placed in there and it sup rised me. But, the aspect that I cherished the most was how it was so dissimilar to Oahu, Hawaii. Instead of seeing the city scenery that consisted of endless buildings, construction sites, and traffic, the village provided the opposite. And, it was refreshing. The country landscape was a great resort for whenever I'd get stressed of just the thought of Oahu. And the main aspect that I was most stressed was staying at home forever. I absolutely despised the idea of staying on a small island after high school ends and the hatred for it sometimes grew to the point that everything irritated me. So, at those times my mind would float back to the rustic view of the village. The opposite scenery eased me because, I wasn't pondering about how everything at Oahu was small, disclosed, and limited but, about how enchanting Bang Cheng Yun was. And although, any place could've easily swayed my mind it is only Bang Cheng Yun that has the  power of overtaking my thoughts. And for that I call Bang Cheng Yun my querencia.


Besides embracing the view of the village, my family and I often dined because, we didn't feel like cooking. To us, we didn't see the point in taking time to cook food when there was so much more outside. So, in most cases we would go eat at a restaurant called, "Oishi," a hot pot restaurant. My family and I loved eating hot pot because, it was quick. It didn't require any anxious waiting or whining, nor annoyance since, all of the ingredients were placed in front of us waiting to be devoured. So, all we had to do was select the ingredients of our choice like meats, vegetables, noodles, etc and then boil it in the hot water. I loved the way the water would cook the ingredients and how it tasted perfectly dipped in the spicy, shoyu flavored sauce that accompanied it. Also, the steam that came with the dish had me in a trance with its fragrant aroma from the different ingredients boiling. But, my favorite aspect of hot pot was the company of my parents and sister. Since, the four of us are unable to always be together due to school, work, and other things but, at Oishi we were here together. Eating hot pot with them always made the experience memorable because, of the happiness thriving in the air. The conversations I had with my family was memorable because, I truly felt as if I was free and so were they. The four of us conversed about what we wanted to do the next day such as movies, school, or the future but, in between we would be in fits of laughter about something. Nothing besides the memories of Oishi that I can recall that my family and I were this joyous. It was only at Bang Cheng Yun, my family were truly themselves.


Not only that, Bang Cheng Yun allowed me to experience the alluring nightlife. In Bang Cheng Yun the nightlife is unlike the one I'm used to, which is silence. The dull nightlife of Oahu was so quiet and boring to the point, that it stressed me. Without the mass crowds, noise, and the blinding lights there was nothing to distract me. Without those distractions my mind would usually think of things I'd rather not think about especially, of exams, projects, and essays. In Oahu's bland nightlife I felt horrible and it only grew. The only resort I had in moments like those is Bang Cheng Yun .

The air is filled with laughter and smells of various delicacies like boiled eggs, pho, fruits, tom yum, etc. Masses of people are under the night sky and everyone is filled with only good vibes. Not only that, the lights of motorbikes to stores lit the way for the nightlife to become alive. But, my favorite way to intake the moving nightlife were the night markets. As soon as the skies were painted with black every booth or food truck would appear on the street for the hungry customers. Crowds of people would rush their way to the food stands to taste the delicious food of whatever it provided. It was exhilarating. I felt enthralled by the whole scene. The whole scenery of it simply threw out any thoughts of the past away only the night markets were present in my mind. Other than the mind blowing scene of the night markets I always enjoyed the large crowds of unknown people. When I'm around with a large crowd I can reflect on how the world doesn't just revolve around me. I'm able to see every person passing by me who has experienced happiness, sadness, anger, etc and it reminds me that I'm not the only one who's stressed. The thought of this eases me at my most stressed times and not only that it, motivates me.




Bang Cheng Yun is my querencia. It is a place with memories that I can look back whenever I'm at my lows. I can always unwind to the scenery of the village whenever I am overwhelmed at something because, everything about it takes my mind off the subject of whatever. Every aspect of the village fills me with amusement because, everything is so different to where I reside in and I am in delight. The hot pot restaurant that my family and I love always bring back sweet moments when we were still always together and ignite happiness within me. Not only that, I still remember the savory last of hot pot and I begin to just focus on how delicious it is making me feel at ease and hungry. Then, the lively nightlife reminds me that I am not alone in my struggles. Those three aspects of Bang Cheng Yun allow my mind to escape to times when I was carefree whenever I was feeling frustrated about something because, I become absorbed in the memories. And although, there are many places that can ignite those similar feelings it still can't compare with Bang Cheng Yun. There are no other times besides reminiscing on Bang Cheng Yun that can truly put me at peace. Especially in times of hardships like exams or upcoming projects no place else besides Bang Cheng Yun that can allow me to be at ease. With each and every memory that came from there has such an overwhelming power over me that no other place can do. Almost as if with each memory that I recall it lightens the imaginary burden on my back of everything. Bang Cheng Yun is my querencia.