“With only five more days”, I wrote at first, then I checked and it’s only four! Glad I cleared that up because four more days to Bangkok sounds way better. This Thursday I will strap on some Air Canada wings for Tokyo, then do an Isaan shuffle over to the Thai Airways counter. Remembering to smile all the way. Well, that will be the easiest thing I’ve done this year.
Normally, when taking an Air Canada flight across the Pacific, or maybe that should be the Arctic, I would grin and bear it. Poor service, poor food, and a feeling of relief after the flight’s over. I switched to Cathay Pacific. After a couple of years of superb service on Cathay, in winter 2008 I stumbled across the lowest airfare to BKK I’ve ever seen. But it was Air Canada. Frightening! But for barely $1,000 and chance to go in May-June, which I’ve never done before, I took the amazing fare.
I swear I was not flying AC even though the red Maple Leaf tail decals and staff uniforms said Air Canada. It was simply the best AC flight I’ve ever experienced. Sparkling service, good food and a feeling that I’d come off a Cathay flight. And it happened again in fall 2008 and 2009. That’s what kept me with AC, and suddenly I found myself with more than enough points for a free flight. In four days -- not five!
This flight leaves for Narita in early afternoon, which I much prefer. Gives me time to take transit out to the airport for $2.50 versus a ridiculous $55-$60 by taxi for a 15 km run. I may just taxi to a hotel and take the Airport Express, which is only $18. In Bangkok, that taxi run for the same distance is 200 baht, plus tolls of 65 or 70 baht now. Plus tip. That’s $9-$10.
And I have my shiny new Non-Immigrant O-A long-stay, multi-entry visa for Thailand. Woohoo!
Okay, time to update the earlier post on my anxiety levels leading up to the move to Thailand. In short, very low.
Accommodation: Still no takers on my apartment after about a dozen showings, some potential tenants not noticing the ad says “furnished”. Sheesh! If the place had been unfurnished, I could have rented it a month ago, says my agent. Well, Monday I will go to a nearby storage place and see what it will cost to store stuff for six months. (After assessing my life in Thailand, I will come back to Canada and decide whether to sell off whatever’s left.) Four days before leaving the country, here I am hunting for reasonably priced storage, booking a mover, then booking a mover specializing in removing junk. I don’t have that much left after pruning my belongings. But it’s too late to try to sell off some of my good stuff, which takes time. Lesson? None really. I flipped a coin and made the wrong move in trying to rent out a furnished apartment.
Anxiety level: 2.5 out of 5. (Previous: 4/5)
Banking: Decided to cut mortgage payments. I am paying a very high monthly amount to slash the length of the term. You know what? Not necessary. Being at an advanced age and having a fairly valuable property mean when I sell it, the mortgage payoff won’t be a biggie. So no worries. Otherwise, everything in place. Anxiety Level: 1/5 (Previous: 2/5)
Personal goods: Only things left are big goods. I have exactly one box, not even full, of very personal stuff. I turned a mental corner a few years ago about attachments to things. I am about as detached a person as I know. I’ve already written on this topic Too much stuff? Don't move it, get rid of it. Anxiety Level: 1/5 (Previous: 3/5)
Communications: All folks and businesses I know can get in touch with me via the Net. Don’t know how anyone got along without the Internet years ago. Anxiety Level: 1/5 (Previous: 2/5)
Relationships: Suddenly, friends are calling and wanting to get together in my last couple of weeks of residency. Frankly, I’m touched. Some booked several get-togethers. All credit to them because they are my oldest friendships, some spanning four decades. Enjoying it all and it’s a pleasure to chat. Have to admit it was easier to hook up because, well, I’m retired and have loads of time. Sort of. Makes you think about what you were doing during the previous three-plus decades of Modern Life! Anxiety Level same as previous 1/5.
Packing: Minimal clothing, might even cut back the motorcycle gear because some of my computing gear needs to come with me. Anxiety Level: 2/5 (Previous: 5/5)
