Since my last post, I have seen five apartments. Five. The first one I didn't like because it was actually too big (I'd have to buy so much shit to fill it) and it was too far from the train station. The second one, I loved, but it was really far (the last bts stop, and 20 minutes from downtown...far by Bangkok standards). The third one, I saw today - that was the one recommended to me by AJ. There was only a two-bedroom available, but it was nice and big. However, it was really old. It looked like it was out of the 1950s. I didn't get a good feeling from it. I saw another two-bedroom in the same complex, which was also nice, but again, too big, and still slightly too old. 

So I was walking back to the train station, scratching my head about what to do next, when I came across a little blue sign that read "Apartment for rent" and had a little arrow pointing down an alleyway. I followed the arrow and found a maid who spoke about ten words of English, who managed to tell me that the place was a two-bedroom, and renting for 15,000 baht a month (that's about $480 a month). An incredible deal for a two-bedroom right downtown (it's literally 1km from city centre). The place is still under renovation - there are newspapers everywhere and fresh paint is glistening on the walls, but I got a really good impression of the place.

The two bedrooms are about the same size, both with huge boudoirs, beds with foam mattresses, and massive windows. There is a nice, big bathroom with a bath tub and a separate, ENCLOSED shower (you don't get that much over here). And, my favourite part: there is a full kitchen. We're talking four-unit stove with AN OVEN!!! (I haven't seen that anywhere in Bangkok), and a full-sized refrigerator with a separate freezer. The living room is roomy enough, with a small couch. There is no TV, but I don't really need one. Did I mention it's only 15,000 baht??? 

So, I'm hopefully going to get a hold of the owner this afternoon, and I will sign the contract today if I can. I don't imagine it will be difficult to find a roommate, and I can afford to be choosy.

Even if this place doesn't work out, I've now seen six Bangkok apartments, so I'm starting to really get a sense of what I want and don't want. It is true that it pays to hold off a bit.

I'm also going in for a part-time English teaching job interview on Friday. I won't teach English full-time while I'm here (ugg...memories of Japan...) but I am happy to spend up to 10 hours a week making some extra cash. Other than that, I just want to write, write, write.  

Finally, I have decided that while I'm here, it would probably be a good time to learn a little Thai. Thus, I am introducing a new column in Blonde Traveler: The Don't Cry, Learn Some Thai column. Each day, I will put up a new Thai word or phrase that I will learn, and others can feel free to learn with me. Or not, whatever. Here it is:

Don't Cry, Learn Some Thai! 

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