8. A whole lot of new impressions and farewell to a body

Because I didn't want to have too much cash at home overnight (the ambulance service, as well as the cooling and the cremation must be paid for in cash), I set off to the bank after breakfast. Only one street counter is open (my security needs are crying), and my debit card isn’t working…? The bank employee treats the chip with an eraser (?), tries again, and turns the device with the display towards me: 'invalid transaction.' He exchanges the German money I have - which is far too little!

I stand in front of the ATM next to the counter, think 'oh, whatever,' and try my luck with the debit card: 'Please contact your bank.' Excuse me?! What luck that I own a credit card which I have hardly used until now - and its PIN is 'hidden' encoded on my phone. It works on the second try - but the amount I need to withdraw isn’t available all at once. So, 2x fees…

I buy some envelopes to pack the amounts I have been told, and make my way to the ambulance service with all the documents - for the last time… Kem follows me - she had offered to help, which I gratefully accepted. The ambulance station is as usual empty, but we don’t have to wait long. Forms are checked, my passport is requested, along with 2 copies (!) of it. Dude, there must be a copier in your office?! There isn't, and he points to a mix of business & snack bar across the street, where there are many signs, one of which says 'Copy.' There, I get my 4 copies for the equivalent of 11 cents, with which all documents are completed, Udo’s body is loaded into the ambulance, and our small convoy sets off with flashing lights for the temple. Upon arrival, we wait again for staff. Eventually, they arrive, and the wooden box is carried up the steps; I am allowed to say goodbye, and the cremation begins. Tomorrow morning at eight o'clock (why so early on a Sunday morning?!) I can pick up the ashes. Kem just handed me a paper bag with a cloth & flowers. I need that - I’m curious…!

I relax at 'home' for the rest of the day, crowned by a small trip to the food market (fried noodles with vegetables & chicken, plus a passion fruit shake, and to sweeten the deal a peanut butter roti) with my neighbors. We enjoy a cold beer at our place - how nice that our restaurant stays open so late! Because there are elections tomorrow, there is an all-day alcohol sales (& general party) ban…?! What a thing! But at least hopefully this reduces some of the loudspeaker pickups driving around here, loudly promoting either parties, Muay Thai fights, or just parties…

Time for bed, the alarm rings very early tomorrow…!