Moving day, July 4th celebrations and marketeering

So I moved into my sublet apartment yesterday and it's absolutely wonderful. I love it and the neighborhood, Aree, is fantastic. The sublet is actually in the same neighborhood as my next apartment, only one block away. I'm going to be living here for one month until my apartment for the year is ready, though I can already tell I'm going to be sad to leave. The building is a lovely new construction with great amenities, a gym, steam room and incredible pool. The pool is this little oasis away from the city; it's on the fifth floor and has palm trees and wooden lounging chairs; it's very quiet and the pool itself is beautiful.

I also inadvertently made use of the steam room today as well. Having finally unpacked all of my belongings, everything I owned was wrinkled and needed steaming or ironing. So, after trekking all of my clothes around the neighborhoods trying to get them steamed, I remembered that I had a steam room! So, I took all of my clothes on hangers into the steam room. After about four separate trips, I was dripping with sweat (I went in my clothes), but my clothes were all perfectly de-wrinkled! I felt very resourceful and didn't have to spend a penny. Pretty productive day thus far...

Yesterday was also quite an interesting day. After moving into my apartment, I went to Jatujak Market, the biggest open-air market in the world, which is conveniently 2 skytrain stops from my apartment. At the market I got some great buys--shoes, earrings, t-shirts; I can't wait to decorate my permanent apartment with furnishings from the home decor section. However, I did have an interesting market "experience." Following my mother's "personal safety" mantra, I alway carry my purse directly under my arm and cover it with one hand. However, at the market, I felt a tug on the back of my purse and pulled over into a small stall. Turns out, the back of my bag, the only four inches that my arm wasn't guarding, was clashed--it was cut clean, with about a 7-inch incision. Luckily, nothing fell out before I noticed; in fact, the only way I realized it was cut was because my wallet fell out inside the stall! I ended up getting a plastic bag for all of my things (I had the bag sewn later to repair it, though it will never look the same) and purchased a gorgeous, sturdy leather bag (actually a vintage Marni bag) to replace it. The new bag rests very close under my arm--the straps are much shorter--so hopefully that will never happen again.

After the market, I went with some friends to a fourth of July bash held by the American Chamber of Commerce and co-sponsored by Democrats Abroad. It was fun--I had my fill of tacos, American beer (the tried to enforce the 21 drinking law too!), and other yummy things (the pecan pie was abysmal but the apple pie was good). There were things like a moon bounce and other inflatable fun things that I didn't partake in; fireworks which weren't half bad; activities like an egg toss, which I missed the first part of; and a band with good 'ol American classics. I must say, this was the most "traditional" celebration of July 4th that I've yet to experience; maybe we only do these "traditional" things when we're not in the US. It was amazing how many Americans were there, I was astounded. I kept asking myself, "What do all these people do here??" Anyway, it was a good time, I met some nice people and think I had my dose of being surrounded by other Americans.

The night was fun too--went out with some people to the famous Khao San Road. All in all, a great weekend. Off to watch the Wimbledon finals, Go RAFA!!!