A Month of Travel

Since the 19^th of March we’ve been in the big city, Singapore, and the town of Barat.  In Singapore we successfully obtained new visas, though they will last only six months.  We were also blessed to see friends from our days in Dallas.  We both had our first babies in Dallas, just a month apart. 

 

Our friend's children with Caedmon and Whitman

 

Though still in Asia, Singapore felt very western to us.  While walking around the city I noticed many people pushing strollers with miniature fans pointing on their children.  At first this made complete sense to me as it was quite hot.  Then I realized this was evidence we were no long in our current country of residence.  Here, in our country, fans are rarely used in homes.  People believe they will make you sick, especially if pointing directly on you. 

It was difficult for me, at first to return to our country as Singapore has so many western qualities, from shopping to wonderful out door parks.  When we did return, we were joined by my parents whom met us in Singapore. 

sightseeing with the grandparents in Singapore

more sightseeing at one of the lovely large gardens

a children's water park (free!!!)

Lilly pads as large as Whitman at the Botanical Gardens



children's area at the Botanical Gardens

with Grammie J

with Papa J

A visit to the Zoo.  The boys wanted to return almost everyday we were there, unfortunately it wasn't free;)

Caedmon's favorite animal at the zoo.

We, or I since the boys were too nervous, got to feed bananas to the Rhinos.  Apparently they only  have molars!



The Kangaroos could have hopped along the path with us!

It was nice to be able to show my parents a bit of our life here as well.  We even had the opportunity to take them to Barat.  More than anything the boys loved having their grandparents here! 

 

A mountain city.  My mom kept asking if we've adjusted to the climate.  Though I frequently am wet with sweat, I was actually slightly chilly that day, where as my parents were not!





A small zoo (4 exhibits total) in the mountain city.

 

the town of Barat in the back ground

After saying good-bye to my parents, we packed up our house in the big city and are now back in Barat.  We do not yet have a place of our own in Barat, but our lease in the big city ends the middle of May and our goal is to find a place of our own in Barat. 

Living as nomads

Ok, maybe we aren't as homeless as nomads, but the last four months we have been living between two cities.  Living with a local family in Barat and in our own house in the big city we are spread between two places about 200 miles apart.  We moved mostly just items needed for daily life to Barat, which did include a suitcase of homeschooling materials, and left the rest in the big city.  As we live with locals there are many things I’ve gotten use to:

Using a bucket and special scooper to shower.  The boys still prefer baths.  I found Whitman  like this one day as he asked to shower and proceeded to make a bath for himself. 
There is a specific word in the language for the scooper, in yellow, that is used.

Campfire coffee.  Regular ground coffee is used as instant coffee leaving a nice layer of grounds on the bottom.  Though I think my coffee tastes just as good this way, it is difficult to enjoy to the last drop. 



The view to and from our bathroom, no it is not an outhouse.  It just happens to be outside on the back balcony. 

A very small mirror for getting ready.

I have become a pro at taking fresh corn kernels off the cob.

There are also many things that still are just not normal for me, such as eating rice for every meal of the day.  So I supplement with lot of oats and noodles!  Living in two different places has also created some difficultly in packing as we travel back and forth.  The most recent trip back to the big city, March 20^th, I packed most of Ceadmon’s school materials, my frying pan, and my garlic press.  Woks are very prominent and available here, but they are difficult to cook pancakes in!  And I really prefer not to dice garlic with a knife. 
Though I’ve gotten use to many aspects of life in Barat, it feels like a real luxury to come back to the big city.  We get to bathe under a shower head, the boys get to take baths, we eat more western food, I get to enjoy my coffee to the very last drop (I use a French press), and I can see the whole top half of my body in a large mirror.  Frozen kernelled corn is also available at some stores, but I have yet to buy it as fresh corn is so cheap and much easier to find!
As I write we are once again living out of suitcases as we are out of the country on a visa run, hoping to get social-cultural visas to last while we continue to wait for the work visa.  It is fun to get away, but being settled in ONE place is also something I am really looking forward to!