Who Am I?

I was born.

I was potty-trained.

I learned to read.

I’m discovering how to write.

–from Gaffs of Truth

My name is Mark Jochim and I’m an American expat currently living in Thailand. I’ve been in Asia for the better part of a decade, touring China and Hong Kong before settling in Phuket. I’ve lived here full-time since April 2006 and in that time have had two stabs at family life, a lengthy stint as a teacher, and have learned a great deal about this crazy place in which I live.

It can be difficult to find the rare bit of authentic Thai culture on an island overrun by tourists and other farang (foreigners) attempting to make a living here. Expats in Thailand survive amidst constantly-changing political agendas and immigration hoops to jump through. It’s never boring. During the time I’ve spent in Asia I’ve enjoyed the never-ending holidays and festivals, discovered the rich local history, and met loads of fascinating people. Although I do miss the Tex-Mex fare and barbecue I feasted on in my previous homes of Albuquerque and Kansas City, I do enjoy the cheap and awesome food of my adopted home.

I’ve written quite a bit about my experiences in Southeast Asia. Those experiences haven’t been limited to Phuket but throughout Thailand and a bit farther afield to Laos and Malaysia. During my four-year stint as a reading teacher I rediscovered my love of the book and have written extensively of my adventures with literature. As Asian Meanderings marks the continuance of my online presence, so will continue my tradition of musing on these and a wide range of other topics. While the primary foci will remain my travels and home life, I will occasionally hit on such things as pop culture, history, photography, and geeky tech stuff.

Come back often if you like to read what I write. Or ignore it if you don’t. Thanks all the same for stopping by long enough to find out a bit of who I am. Please leave a comment and let me know a bit about who you are.