Day 4 in Chiang Mai Thailand

I'm almost out of baht and need to make a run to the bank. I'm hiding my hundred dollar bills in my shoes and my shoes are always on my feet. I pull out 200 more and ask the lady at the front desk where the nearest bank is? Just across the moat, Chang Phuak road. Off I go, into the wild blue yonder. The bank is one block away. Not a far walk at all.  

Once in the bank I take a seat and wait. Eventually I notice the process is to take a number and then take a seat and wait to be called. I go to the machine and get a number then go back to my seat.

ding ding ding

My numbers up.

"over here hansome" her eyes say to me. ----- Not really.

The cute teller speaks no English. I produce cash and try to convey the  reason for my being there. A kind gentelman from the counter next to me offers assistance. He is an american and offers up translation services. How incredibly nice of him. He tells me I am supposed to bring my passport for something like this.

"Ok. I can go back to the guesthosue and get it. I'm right down the street" I say.

He conveys this information to the girl behind the counter. I'm ready to bolt and go fetch my passport.

These actions appease the girl behind the counter. She hands me a piece of paper, I fill out what I can and give it back along with the two one hundred dollar bills.

I cannot thank the bank or the American helper enough. I feel like an emotional basketcase. I'm getting sleep but not the rest I need. It all works out because of the aid of the American. I get my baht and leave.

All is well.

All's well that ends well.

I get back to the guesthouse and take a seat in the dining area / garden and order breakfast. "Coffee and a bowl of oatmeal please" Who shows up two minutes later but the amerian from the bank. we are staying at the same guesthoues. Small fucking world.

I can't recall his name but I invite him over to join me for for breakfast and he takes a seat. I get the scoop on him and his life. It's impressive. He and his wife met in Thailand doing volunteer work for a christian organization. That was 15 years ago. They married, had three kids and "adopted" a thai kid. The adoption is informal in that they send money each month to make sure the child is taken care of and they visit each year. These are christian's not talking the talk but walking the walk.

wow. I'm impressed. It's hard not to be impressed. This might be the first actual christian I've ever met. He's doing good. Leadinig by example.

we get into a conversation about God and he starts talking about "fearing god, obeying god and praying to a jealous god"

How can this be? All that effort he puts out and it's because of fear. It's like being slapped across the face.  

After breakfast I am finally able to contact a realtor and schedule an appointment to see apartments tomorrow. I'm resolved in thinking this is my last night in the guesthouse.