Saturday, January 20, 2007

Things we've learned/experienced so far...

If it feels like something is crawling on you, there probably is something crawling on you
If the thing digging around in that corner looks like a rat, it probably is a rat
If you hear noises up in your ceiling, it’s probably a rat too (we have a flat roof so no problems like this-friends have had it happen)
If the angkot you’re riding on seems full, there’s probably room for at least 5 more people
If it feels like there aren’t any windows open in the angkot, there probably aren’t, because, remember, wind is bad, bad, bad…
Hang on to your wallet when riding on an angkot…
Always make two choices when ordering anything anywhere, because there’s a good chance your first choice is out of stock.
When getting a doctor’s prescription, there’s a good chance that half of the items listed are vitamins…
Make sure to rinse your feet off after walking through rain water (it rises pretty high here during downpours) to avoid mysterious rashes
Don’t be freaked out about sharing your home with little lizards, they eat mosquitos
Oh the sound that’s made when you squash a cockroach…
Always carry extra Kleenexes in your purse as toilet paper is never a given in public washrooms…
Don’t make use of too many electrical items at one time in your home or you’ll find yourself in the dark
Water pressure is a fond memory of old…
As is drinkable tap water…
And lots of kitchen counter space..
And really tasty hot dogs that aren't bright red..
And Kraft Ranch dressing with the fat still in it (we can only buy fat free ranch dressing in small bottles-not the same…).
Pointy noses are the best…
So is really, really white skin…
Streets = garbage can, recreation area, eating area, place to sell whatever you can possibly sell
Rivers = garbage dump, laundry facilities, toilet, bathtub…
MPV=multi person vehicle=motorcycle
When a baby’s poop changes colour it means he wants to be smarter…
This is also true when a child loses weight…(I learned this very important info only recently from our neighbour ladies)
If you haven’t eaten rice with your meal you’ll get hungry really fast-you need to eat rice with every meal
People are much, much more important than time!

2 comments:

nicolevw said...

Wow. Are you guys doing okay?
:-) Sounds a bit like homesickness for Canada .....
where we can drink tap water for instance! But that's okay ....because alot of people here drink bottled water anyways, just like you! And, we here in the Fraser Valley have found ourselves in the dark a fair bit too ...not because of too many electric uses, but because of the weather....which has been quite unusual of late. And that Kraft ranch dressing? It's quite expensive, so most of us have to make do with No Name! :-) hee hee. Although, pointy noses aren't well liked here .....white skin still seems to be the thing unfortunately.
Keep on guys! You're in a great adventure .....and keep posting, because your blog is fabulous!
Praying for you ..........
Nicole and crew

Anonymous said...

cnzxvafoAunt Frieda here.What a lot of unique experiences some of which I would not want to experience.Erica,don't give up my dear.I'm sure God still and always will continue to be there for you and your family.He will grant you the strength to continue on.Stay positive!!!!!!!!!!
Well Gerry and Karen are not SETTLED in their house but everything is IN the house now so Karen can start opening boxes,finding a spot for everything and organizing everything.Exciting for her since she does not know half of what she has since it has been packed since their marriage.It will be like sinterklaas after sinterklaas.So Mon.D.V.your mom hopes to arrive to visit Gerry and Karen and to see Iris and her newest granddaughter.It will be nice for Karen.We ALL(family)pitched in to help clean and move.The weather is fairly mild here.Well my dear that is the scoop from here for now."Til next time.Looking forward to your next blog and GOD BLESS.Luv you ALL xoxoxoxoxoxox