Sunday, May 30

I am writing this blog post from our new apartment in Nana, looking out at the nighttime city skyline through the window.

It's been a busier couple of days. On Friday, I went out with Darren, a choreographer and director from the UK that I met through Kathryn. We met for iced drinks in Sathorn, then headed to the Thong Lor apartment of Darren's friends Cherrise (Cherrine?), a dancer and choreographer from the UK. I also met Laura, who is Thai-Australian, runs an arts program in Bangkok, and is super connected with the arts (and alternative therapies) community in Bangkok.

It's been exciting to realize there's more of a theatre/opera/dance scene in Bangkok than I'd known (of course, there would be much more if we weren't in the middle of a pandemic). Darren is a total connector, and he's already scheming for me to meet up with various artists, composers, etc.

I also went stand-up paddleboarding with Sean and Emma and another friend, Jo. We took a taxi to a spot up the river from Bangkok, and spent most of the day paddling around in the sunshine.

And then on Sunday we moved!

Our place feels so nice. It's clean and cool and with the painted walls (and beautiful new couch) it already feels decorated and comfortable.

We spent most of the day signing paperwork and then buying stuff for the house—we bought throw pillows, a fan, a laundry basket, towels and bath mats, organic handsoap and dish soap and laundry soap because I just don't like the super strongly-scented artificial mainstream brands. We bought toothbrushes and toilet paper and soda waters and a few cold drinks—but not too many, since our fridge isn't working.

Pack mule

But Plair, our agent, has been awesome—she made sure we got our Wifi set up, filed the TM30 forms for us, and has ensured every lightbulb in our place is working. So I know she'll make sure we have a working fridge. Soon.

We'll probably spend most of tomorrow doing more to set up the house. It's always a little anxious-making spending so much money, but I know it's necessary if we want to make our house comfortable, so I just kind of...close my eyes and do it. Tuesday I am supposed to start work, so I'll finally be making money to pay for all this stuff.

And...here are some more photos! This is our building (Omni Tower) from the street.

This is the street leading away from our condo.

A pretty overgrown water filtration station.

The infamous Nana Plaza--usually the heart of the red light district, now totally deserted.

Our first meal in the new neighborhood.

A vendor grilling sweet potatoes, corn, and peanuts near the BTS.

Oh, and one addition from Monday morning--our first breakfast in the new place.

We're going to need some plates.