So, it's now been a week in quarantine (8 days according to the schedule, but for me, I count 9 edit: I am 2 days away from being released!).
If I had come before April 28th, I would have had 10 days, but as it is, I am now slogging through 14 days! I have read 2. 5 novels(starting my 4th one now), 3 People magazines and watched too many Thai dramas on Netflix, which by the way involves reading!
I really look forward to the covid test days, as I get to escape to the lobby and see real human beings, 2 nurses dressed in hazmat suits and looking like they are ready for the operating room. (I even plan my outfits, as I don't want to go down wearing the same outfit twice). Blood pressure and a nose swab are both done. One nurse stands behind a plexiglass shield with 2 long gloves attached(picture on left) and does the nose swab. The other is at the side putting the swab in her hands. Both tests so far have been negative and my blood pressure has been great! (see what happens when you do nothing but sit, read, eat watch tv all-day
edit: I am awaiting test result #3)
I have seen one other person, with real voice interaction, while in quarantine, as long as you don't count the people conducting their daily lives along the canal. I was picking up my breakfast from outside my door and there was a woman doing the same two doors down.
She said, "Good morning!"
I replied, "Good morning!" and quickly retreated into my room for fear of spending longer than 14 days in a Thai prison for not following the ever-changing quarantine rules.
I shouldn't really complain, the hotel is very nice. If I need anything I can text the front desk, via Line, any requests and the front desk is always obliging.
The food is very tasty, the only complaint I had were the french fries which were terrible, but as my Thai language teacher said, "Who comes to Thailand and orders french fries?"
Yes, I am taking Thai language classes!
The day before I left Canada the language school I had been in contact with was no longer accepting students, so I was left to find my own school and teacher. Luckily I happened up Preply where you can buy hourly packages, choose your teacher and determine your learning schedule. I've chosen Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning for 1 hour on those days. I like my teacher Ben, short for Benjaporn, she has a great sense of humour and makes the hour go by fairly quickly. The other reason I like her is that I have my lesson at 7 am! (as most know I am an early riser-even with the time change) I like a reason to get out of bed in the morning, besides coffee.
While in quarantine I have been doing a lot of online shopping, okay, more browsing than buying.
You can get anything delivered! However, I will wait to order some items when I'm out of quarantine, as the front desk checks (in front of the delivery person) all packages (you're not allowed alcohol, tobacco or narcotics during quarantine).
I have made my first Lazada purchase! (Lazada is Asia's answer to Amazon). As long as you don't choose an overseas country(China, Taiwan, Singapore), you should get delivery within hours/days. Mine took 24 hours! edit: I have started a wishlist on Lazada, everything from t-shirts, to sewing machines to refrigerators.
I ordered a Chemex style coffee pot with a stainless steel filter. (The other drawback about the hotel-I have instant coffee that I can make in my room and they bring 1 small, weak, brewed coffee with breakfast.) I NEED REAL COFFEE!
I also discovered a local store, Villa Market where you can purchase a plethora of items, from personal care to kitchen utensils to actual groceries! I broke down and ordered some snacks,(edit: a few times now) as I have two pot noodles that have been left by the hotel. I chose some local treats and a few comfort food favs.
As I start the 2nd week I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm looking forward to the final covid test and another visit to the lobby, the green curry for mid-week lunch(which was just as delicious as last week's), more coffee, and being able to walk further than the balcony.
There is something exciting coming next week. As with getting organized for this monumental move I have made to Asia, I don't want to jinx it...
As my father used to say,
"I'll be like Dad and keep mum!"
Stay tuned.
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