The beginning

 Not long ago, I decided that I would like to live in Asia. Not only because I have some friends here, but also because I (still) feel so connected to South America so that I need to see if I really belong there - or rather here. Anyway, many thanks to an old university acquaitance who helped me with a welcoming school and here I am. I mean... here I will be... in 2 weeks. :-) As, at the moment, I am still in Bangkok, spending my quarantine. 

Let's start from the beginning then! In the normal case, it would be enough to get a work permit to work in Thailand and get a Non-Immigrant visa, but this was something else above the normal case: travelling during the pandemy (especially moving during these times) has been made extremely difficult - or let's say, just wants to test your persistence. First, I needed to sort out a quarantine hotel, (in other words Alternative State Quarantine, or ASQ), which is not possible without having your plane ticket arranged - to which you obviously need a health insurance, too. Not difficult yet? You must get tested for the coronavirus exactly 72 hours before your flight so that means that.... yes, even in the last step you might fail and that 4000$ that you had spent could have been blown up in the air. Plus, all the major aircompanies have cancelled technically all of their flights to Thailand! Can you believe that? The embassy was kind enough to organize us a place on one of the repatriation flights, but still... honestly. I felt that I'm walking on eggshells the whole time and I didn't know if I should hope for going or for staying. 

Anyway, I'm here, safe and alive, with one negative corona-test so far. 

So this was the airport like today: 

 

As you can see, we are all sitting in considerable distance from each other. There were also plenty of helpers who guided us through the process step by step. I have never seen such a well-organized entrance of the country! And, at this point, I also have to be grateful for the pandemy - well, kind of - because first of all, the long time we needed to wait before the immigration happened in chairs and not standing in a middle of a crowd. It was only me at the immigration at the same time and not with 1763418 people surrounded. So this was cool, plus, then we picked up our baggage and we were also guided to the van of the hotel. 

There was another passenger in my van, a lady from Colombia (she is also a teacher, she's a teacher of arts and she's going to teach here, in Bangkok)! Seems like South America never leaves me peace - but I don't mind it, haha! We got immediately connected and it was also natural to reach out for each other, having to spend 2 weeks on our own! Imagine, I'm not even allowed to leave my room for at least 6 days! 

Upon arrival at the hotel, our blood pressure, temperature,  and blood oxygen level were measured and they immediately took a PCR-test, as well. Then, we were guided to our rooms, respectively, where I was told that there was a cancellation and I got my room upgraded. Now I have the vista del city! 

Room with a view

Now, let me finish my bruncher (as I've got no idea, if it's a breakfast / lunch/ or dinner) due to the long flight, with these delicious fruits! Yummy! 

Cantaloupe, watermelon, piña, pitahaya

The room is perfect! :-) Check it out: 

I also had to sign a paper saying that I'm going to measure my temperature twice a day (10 am and 8 pm). And it was just so natural, that when they tested us, they also asked us if we have any underlying diseases. I told the nurse my problems from childhood to which she said that tomorrow a doctor will come and examine me thoroughly so that I should not worry (and probably they shouldn't either)! Again, what an organization! (Obviously, I've paid for this service, but still..). 

Anyway. It's time to relax for a while now, but before that, I'll take my temperature. It's almost 8 pm and it's getting dark from around 6 pm so here is a view from Bangkok at night. And I'm sleepy, very sleepy, probably a bit jet-lagged, too, so have a good night! :-)