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My New Home

Posted by Stuart at 11:08 AM on October 12, 2002

Yesterday I was given the keys to my new apartment. The search certainly wasn't as painful as ones I have experienced other places (especially San Francisco) but it did have its moments.

For example, early last week, Mag, Kary (an American friend of ours) and I went apartment hunting in Mag's building. Kary and his partner were desparately looking for a new place to live because their current apartment had been broken into a few days prior. I figured that since there was two of them and one of me, we wouldn't want the same apartment. I was wrong.

We walked into a studio apartment on the 15th floor of Mag's buidling and both of us had big eyes and big smiles. The small room is on a corner of the building, so two of the walls are windows with an incredible view of Bangkok and the river. The room is complete with a very small kitchen, cool modern-looking black furniture, and a bathroom where the tub is next to another huge window. Unfortunately, though, we both wanted it badly.

I was the one who finally gave in and let Kary have it. I figured that since he was in more dire straights that I was, that he should get the room. He thanked me and took it. The more I thought about it though, the more I wanted the room. I was disapointed and afraid that I wouldn't find anything that I liked as much and I was mad at myself for being so nice. (Not that I am terribly proud of that last part.)

In any case, a few days later Kary called me and told me that he and his partner had found a two bedroom apartment for the same price and they wouldn't be taking the one that we all liked. I couldn't believe my luck and jumped at the opportunity. A few days later (yesterday) I moved in.

Rupert and I went shopping for house stuff last night. I bought sheets, two pillows and pillowcases, two bolsters and bolster cases, a comforter, a water heater, two towels, four drinking glasses, twenty clothes hangers, a bottle opener. Total cost: US$88.

So here I am after my first night of sleep in my new bed on the 15th floor, typing my journal, looking out of the window wall at skyskrapers and the river, admiring the view of Bangkok my new home.