I showered, packed, locked the gate, placed the key into the safe, and walked two blocks to the #152 bus stop. After a fifteen minute wait I boarded the bus and paid the 5000d fare.
At the airport I am told to either check my over-weight bag into cargo or pay a $30 carry-on fee. I chose to pay $30 because I am under budget for transportation costs.
The two hour flight was typical and safely landed in Chiang Mai.
As I passed through the dusty airport corridor I recognized the ATM machine where I had withdrawn bhat at the beginning of my journey.
I stood on the airport curb under a hot and smutty sun, a smokey haze softening the view of the mountain. I negotiated a price with a red truck to take me to Nimman Road (60 bhat). I settled into the back of the truck and an old Frenchman hopped in. We made small talk but I was focused on the task at hand, which was to review where I was going and how I was to get there.
When the truck neared Nimman I rang the bell and departed near the Pharmacy Gardens. I walked about for a few blocks, not lost, yet not knowing where the condo building was. After walking the hot streets for twenty minutes I located the building and retrieved the key from the mail slot, then unpacked and organized the living space.
Later in the afternoon I walked to Tops for water, food, and supplies.
