Chicken & Rice. Chicken? & Rice.

Food courts in Bangkok are so bizarre. Unlike in America where you would pick the food you want, stand in line, get your food, and pay - all at that one stall - here in Bangkok you go to a kiosk, pay them, get a card with money on it, pick out your food, get your food, have them swipe your food, eat your food, and get the remaining money back at that same kiosk. It's something I'm having to get used to. The food is really cheap though, which is always a bonus (especially when you're unemployed). At the first mall I went to in one day, I ordered chicken yakitori and rice. It was quite good and simple. Some days I crave Western food so bad that I have to have something plain and simple like this.

(note the yummy authentic iced Thai coffee to drink. It was delicious!)

The next mall I went to that day I pointed to something on a picture that looked like chicken and rice but the texture did not seem like chicken when I got it. It also came with soup that they call water soup. Let's just say, it definitely tasted like soup water. It was not good and realllly plain. At least I tried it though!

(in the picture it looks like roast beef, maybe that's what it was?)

Every meal is an adventure to say the least. I branch out during certain meals and go for something simple when Western food seems like the only thing that will suffice. I'm hoping to get more accustomed to the food soon.

5 weeks!!!!!

Today marks exactly 5 weeks until I move to Bangkok!

I'm still trying to figure out last minor details. This includes a bank! I need a bank here in town that I can deposit money in and use in Bangkok until I get my work permit in Bangkok. Anyone have suggestions? I went to First Bank last Friday which is a small little bank branch here. When asked about fees internationally, no one had answers for me! You think this is something they'd need to know if they work there. I also saw that there is a Bank of America in Bangkok but I don't know if I'll be able to use it there without a work permit. This is all very confusing.

Luggage is also a problem considering I have none. I'm bringing three bags with me (can anyone else picture me in the crowded Bangkok airport at midnight trying to carry these bags alone? It's going to be comical for sure). I have one that I'm bringing strictly for shoes and the others will mainly be clothes, accessories, and makeup. I'm also going to have my purse and a carry on with my computer and any info I need for my hotel and such. It's going to be heavy and difficult but once I get in the cab in Bangkok, I will finally be able to breathe I think!

We went and got my Visa picture taken today and I'm applying for my visa next week. I also have been looking at apartments online and have found some neat ones, and some not so neat ones. My main requirements are a swimming pool and a Western bathroom. I don't care about a kitchen at all, but a nice comfy bed would be nice! A high rise would be pretty amazing since I'm moving to a big city, I think that will give me more of a big city feel.

Just typing all this makes me VERY excited! :) I'm also getting sad realizing I won't see my family but maybe once (I won't see my dog at all. This makes me want to cry.) & I won't see my friends for a YEAR!!! I've let everyone know they are welcome to visit and hope some take me up on the offer.

Only 5 short weeks left to soak up Nashville life and these beautiful people I have in my life!