Good Morning, Bangkok!

Bangkok, September 6th 2011

I woke up fresh and still feeling rich. I opened my bedroom door, turned to the right, and opened my kitchen door. I boiled water in the electric kettle and while waiting for the water to boil, I went to the dining table for a sachet of coffee, creamer, and sugar. I didn't need to wash last night's cup, because there are many cups -- and teaspoons -- inside the cupboard. Just leave the one from last night in the sink. Then I brought my cup of coffee into the the living room and put it on the coffee table in front of the TV. But wait, let me draw the curtains. I don't like closed things. I like everything opened and bright.

Wow! Good morning, Bangkok! Let me tell you my secret. I personally prefer a ground house very much over an apartment. I can't imagine a home without a yard, no matter what size. I can't imagine opening the front door of my home and directly step on a piece of land that I no more can call mine. How ridiculous it is to have the next tile right in front of my very own door not mine. I can't imagine saying I have a house, but not a land. If there's anything that would make me want to live in an apartment, it will be only for a view like this.

I, adore bird views, sky views, whatever you call it. When I slept over at my friend's apartment one day, I sat on her bed right under the window and stared minute after minute, at the lights of Jakarta's night view which glittered from below me to far beyond. On the contrary, my friend admitted she was a height-phobia. She avoided to sleep on the side of the bed under the window. She even had her curtains closed until daytime. Ah, how ridiculous life can be! As for me, I sometimes wish for a wallpaper which is printed with a large photo of buildings and streets taken from high above, to stick on my wall at home. Maybe I should make one myself.

There were times when I was frequently required to accompany new Japanese expats at my office to look for a place to stay. 95% of them preferred an apartment. And, as foreign expats, they were -- and still are -- benefited with high standards. Thus, I went in and out luxurious apartments in Jakarta. That wasn't my main job actually. But, I loved it. Basically, needless to mention, I love to go places. Moreover, I love interiors. Whenever the Japanese expat said he didn't like the place, I was happy. That meant we would go to another place.

Now, being in an apartment which I can call mine for 2 nights, brings back the memory to those times. The interior in my apartment in Omni Tower weren't new actually. The furniture weren't of the latest trend. However, it's obvious that the room was well kept and in good maintenance. After that cup of Thai Nescafe, I returned to my bedroom and then into my walk-in-closet to get new clothes. Shameless to mention, it was my first time walking into a walk-in-closet. I had only seen them in my interior-design magazines.

I could enjoy all these by the price of 2,379 bahts for 2 nights, because there had been a promotion from Citibank. Adding to that, when I checked-in, I got an upgraded-room of no charge. I think, one feels rich not when one has a certain amount of money, but when one feels lucky.