by Ariyada

Jo Hall of England.
Husband: Tom.
Children: Two. Tom J. (27) married to Sarah; and Liz (26) getting married next year.
Present address: Bayview Resort.
Occupation: Primary school teacher before coming to Thailand. At the moment, besides being a housewife, president of the International Lady’s Club and doing a lot of volunteer work at the Fountain of Life Centre.
Hobby’s: Cross-stitch, music, reading, bridge, cooking.
Sports: Golf, water aerobics and a little swimming.
Stay in Pattaya: Since August 1994 and expects to be here for another two years.
Plans for future traveling: Would like to visit South America, especially Brazil and Argentina.
What she likes about Pattaya: The excellent sports facilities, especially the many beautiful golf courses. The tremendous variety of good restaurants around, allowing one to sample most of the cuisine’s of the world. She especially enjoys Thai food. The wonderful view from her apartment over-looking the sea to the islands and Naklua Bay. The many new friends of different nationalities she has made through PILC and being able to enjoy their company through the club’s many activities. (Though some have left for other shores but not forgotten and there are always new ones arriving who need help to settle into life here.) Looking around the markets and shops at the interesting handicrafts. The very relaxing way of life here.
What she doesn’t like about Pattaya: The rubbish on the roadside, pollution of the sea and beaches. The impatient drivers flashing their lights and sounding their horns, toddlers balanced between two adults on motorbikes and often another child on the back. Different prices for Farangs and Thais. Electricity cuts without warning - how much ice cream can you eat in one night? Baht bus drivers who decide they are not going all the way to Naklua after all. The exploitation of the young girls from the north in the sex-trade. The infuriating way the shop assistants move everything once you’ve had a look.
What she thinks about life in general in Pattaya: Life in Pattaya is what you want to make of it. It can be quite a culture shock, especially if this is your first assignment abroad, as it was with us. After a while you get used to it and at the end you like it. I have never felt threatened walking around in Pattaya alone, most of the people are friendly and don’t hassle you. I believe the notorious side of Pattaya is not the real Pattaya, a night out does not have to be on the strip or in a beer bar, it can be in a pleasant eating house with friends, maybe not too far from the strip, but in essence a hundred miles away. Life here is good and many of us will be sad to go when the time comes. I believe I’ll be amongst them.