That is about $1.58, the denominations that I've handled so fat: 500,000 ($21.42) 200,000 ($8.57) 100,000 ($4.28) and down to the 1000 note ($0.04) Pretty sure they don't use coin at all. That's a wad of bills to carry around. The upside is things are pretty cheap depending on where you buy them, a bottle of water 5000 at a momNpop store ( 21 cents) 2 to 3 times that at a "convenience" store. The area I'm in now only has those, no larger markets

Now for the reason, you haven't heard from me in over a week.  The Saturday started out pretty normal, I got out and about just about 10am, I didn't have much of an appetite, but a western breakfast sounded good. Best I could find was an omelet, ordered that and an iced black coffee. Coffee was great, omelet so-so, got about halfway through it when the random bits of eggshell got to be too much. I needed a 3 plug to a 2 plug adaptor for my rapidly depleting laptop (the first hotel had one, 2nd did not) I had been checking with the local convenience stores for one, no luck. Someone suggested O Top Mall on the other side of the southernmost bridge.

The foregoing was written 12 hours ago, as I was writing, a wave of exhaustion came over me, I put down the laptop and slept 12 hours.

So I made the decision to walk to the OTop mall, turns out the southernmost bridge is a good mile and a half away and was about a half mile long. It was about 85 and muggy, I was already tired, and the mall didn't have what I needed! Every 7-11 in Thailand carries them! No 7-11's or any western franchises have been seen yet (did see a KFC delivery scooter).
Finally got back to the hotel, took a rest then headed for the bar I like for a few beers and maybe something to eat (still didn't have an appetite), I hadn't been there more than 30 minutes when I noticed I was getting chills, it was at least 80 out, and it was getting worse as the minutes went by, time to head to the hotel and some serious rest. Within a half hour of arriving at the hotel, it was apparent to me the chills weren't from exhaustion, I had a fever, a serious one. My body was at war with some unknown (to me) pathogen, it was a full-blown battle that I knew could end in defeat, mine. I knew I could intervene but that would defeat my body's purpose and probably lead to prolonging the cause, and I knew that too high a fever for too long can be life-threatening. I didn't have a thermometer (do now) so I took the chance and let my body do it thing.
The high fever broke in 4 to 5 hours, slept the rest of the night with what I knew was a higher than normal temperature, drinking water whenever I'd wake up. That continued till Monday, About noon on Monday I gathered up what little strength I had and ventured out for more water and to try and eat. The best I managed on eating was a few bites of noodle and veggies and the broth from a chicken noodle Pho soup. Ventured out again on Tuesday (am slowly getting stronger) found a thermometer, the adaptor I needed, and a bank branch to get some cash, ATM's withdrawal limit is 2,000,000 dong ($58). After that 2 hour outing (still no appetite) it was more water and back to the room and bed. That brings us to now, Wednesday morning, feeling closer to normal, gaining strength, a temperature close to normal.
Friday morning I check out and head to my new hotel 25 or so miles South, much quieter area. I'll keep you posted, album link
.https://photos.app.goo.gl/EMQAHeCorAqAgica7