A Daily Life Snapshot: The Differences.

There are obvious differences in our life since arriving, especially in weather, language and culture.  The following are a few of the smaller differences in our daily lives.  I, Erin, thought to highlight these because inside our home it seems pretty similar to what our life might look like in the States, except for:

-A water pump we run daily to fill a roof top tank.  Without the pump, water from the city will not flow through our pipes.  Our roof top tank allows us to run the pump only periodically.  The biggest difference is in remembering to run the pump.  At least twice now we have run out of water from the roof top tank in the middle of a shower.  What do you do when you are all soapy, out of water, and the pump is outside?

-A water filter we use for all our drinking water, and I don't mean a refrigerator pitcher you fill with water.  It takes some time to fill a gallon container but it is pretty hands off unless you let it over flow (done this a couple times too).

- Our most common form of transportation is a taxi, so now everytime a horn honks outside Whitman says, “taxi here mom” even if it is just the nieghbors.

-3 out of 4 of us now own motorcycle helmets.  The majority of people ride motorcycles, so we often have the opportunity as well if just one or two of us are going some where. 

John and Caedmon off to run an errand (on a friend's bike)

Caedmon is so excited to have his own helmet

-No sinks in our bathrooms, nor a bath tub.  Our boys still are not fans of taking showers, too much water in the eyes, so we have improvised with a not quite large enough tub.

-Cold showers; taken twice daily and still really enjoying them.  We don’t have a hot water heater, but we can’t imagine using one in this weather.   

-Mosquito lotion is more commonly used then regular hand lotion: daily before going outside and before bed.

-Baby powder is used more now then ever before by our family as our boys seem to have endless heat rashes.  Upon first arriving I wondered why local kids, in the mornings, often have a dusting of white powder on their faces. 

We are thankful that these differences have now become part of our lives.  I hope many of the bigger, cultural differences will soon become second nature to us as well!

3 weddings, 1 week!

Last week began with a weekend trip outside the city for a wedding.  We attended another in the middle of the week, then ended the week with yet another.  Our trip outside the city was with some neighbors.  We stayed with their grandmother in a traditional 'platform' house and were introduced to the local wedding culture.  The most traditional weddings, often those outside the city, include three different events.  The first night is for the bride or groom, separately, and at their respective homes or relative's home. 

1st event, with just the bride

The second event, usually the following day, is the actual ceremony that joins the couple in marriage.  The last event is a reception, often the night of the ceremony or the next day. 

tent set up outside home for all the wedding events

table with many sweet treats to enjoy before the ceremony

How do you even begin to explain a wedding that is so very different.  Everything from the outside, observable features to all the underlying unobservable aspects.  For our first wedding of the week we arrived late, just to miss the whole ceremony, but apparently this was not a big deal.  The ceremony often is held inside the bride's family's house, where there isn't enough seating for all the guests.  So guests either sit outside the house and wait, or are connected to the ceremony by a speaker and microphone.
For the second wedding, the ceremony was held in the couple's religious prayer house.  The third wedding was different yet, as the ceremony was held at a reception hall.  This was also the first ceremony we actually were able to watch.  The ceremony in all cases takes place between the groom and the brides father.  After the ceremony the groom, now husband, goes to see his now wife in her bed room.  They then come out to greet the world as husband and wife. 

Ceremony between groom and bride's family

Bride and Groom (3rd wedding attended) during reception

The reception is just as different.  For the whole time the couple sits upon the stage, standing to greet each guest as they walk by, then the couple sit again.  The guests on the other hand enjoy a buffet and often leave shortly after eating.  Therefore guests are coming to and going from the reception for hours. 

Bride and Groom (1st wedding attended) during the reception

We couldn't have arranged a more complete cultural experience ourselves, and all in a weeks time.  We learned so much and yet have only really scratched the surface of how marriage begins in this culture!

Results Are In!!!

No the election is still a week away, but on a personal note, my (Erin) CT scan came back with good news.  It showed a small ovarian cyst and possibly a lipoma, which is a small benign fatty growth.  The ovarian cyst can cause discomfort, but may go completely unnoticed, usually they resolved on their own.  Lipomas are common and often go unnoticed as well.  They can be removed, but usually are left alone unless causing discomfort or growing.  We are so thankful to have gotten a CT scan so easily and have a trusted friend from home that took a second look at them and gave us a clear and complete explanation, not to mention all in English.  I am feeling back to normal as well, not to mention at peace with the small lump I felt.  Why my symptoms resolved on their own after a couple weeks is still a little weird, but if related to the cyst it would make sense as symptoms often cycle with monthly cycles as well.  Thank you so much for thinking of me during this new experience.  The hardest part was knowing what to do in a place and culture we are still so unfamiliar with.  So thank you!

Think about Erin's mid-section!

Haha an unlikely request from her husband, I know. But this week she's been having some discomfort and ended up finding a couple of small lumps near her belly button. Obviously we have been a bit perturbed by all this, and decided to pursue getting a closer look which a CT scan might offer. But having never consulted a doctor in our city before, where to start?! We asked a friend for advice, and asked Him for wisdom on Sunday night (last night) and then this morning we were successful in finding a helpful doctor who, on his own initiative, suggested and ordered the CT scan this morning. She was able to be scanned immediately, but we won't know any results until tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon.
Before he ordered the CT scan, the doctor told Erin the lumps could very well be a couple of benign tumors, easily removed with a minor operation, and that they could well be causing this week's intermittent stomach discomfort. Obviously, we are hoping it's nothing more than that. So yes, you have my permission, so please do be thinking about Erin's mid riff.
Thank you for your role in our success here!

Our boys

Here's a little something (mostly for the grandparents) of what our boys have been up to:

A small tub of water to share, but when the big brother left, Whitman jumped right in!

finger painting for the first time

checking out a snail in our garden

playing outside, in the first real rain storm after at least 4 months, yeah for rain!

Language Learning

Here’s a quick look into the past 5 ½ months.  We have been pouring as much time as possible into language learning.  Some days are completely overwhelming, “how am I (Erin) ever going to remember all these words.”  “How in the world am I ever going to sound like a local?”  And yet, when I look at how far we have come and the degree to which I can communicate, I am very encouraged.  Often people comment, “Isn’t this an easy language to learn?”  If they only knew. 

Actually this language is very easy to learn, especially in comparison with many neighboring countries and actually in comparison with English too.  The hard part is the grammar structure is so different then what we’re used to.  Here’s a taste of what we’ve been learning:

-The verbs do not have a past, present or future tense, so you have to use a word like ‘already,’ ‘will,’ or a time word, like ‘yesterday.’ So you end up with: Yesterday I eat rice. 

-There are a large number of prefixes and suffixes, so, many of the words sound very similar as all active form verbs start with the same two letters. 

-We have been encouraged to learn phrases or the meaning behind the words, not just the literal translation.  I am reminded of this when I encounter words like kiss and smell, which are the same.  To live, stay, leave behind, and die are all from the same root word, changed only by the prefixes and suffixes used. 

Other fun language things:

-combining the words mix and stir turns it into blend.

-There are at least four words associated with rice: rice field, unhusked rice, uncooked rice, and cooked rice are all different words.  Try explaining this to a four year old who wants to know the word for rice, then proceeds to use it and correct me when I use a different word for the uncooked version. 

-Spicy as in spicy food is the same word to explain the feeling of medicine in a cut or sunscreen in the eyes. 

We’ve made some incredible progress, but we still have a ways to go!

The grass is ALWAYS green on the other side!

A common belief in the States is: Tan is Beautiful.   People will lay out in the sun for hours to become darker or spend money on one of many alternative methods to achieve darker skin.  There are even special swim suits that allow the sun to darken the skin it covers.  This is not the case here.  Almost every beauty product, lotion, make-up, and even deoderant, advertises ‘whitening properties.’  People here cover up under the sun; carrying umbrellas or putting on jackets when going out into the 90 degree weather.  We have yet to see any locals laying out on the beach, yet we live in a coastal city.  As most locals desire lighter skin, like ours, I (Erin) find myself still desiring darker skin like theirs. 

In another area of life: the traditional style toilet here is a ‘squat toilet.’ These are common in homes and many public places.  ‘Sit’ toilets have become common now a days too, but the ‘squat toilet’ is the most familiar and often more comfortable for locals.  In public restrooms are often accompanied by signs clearifying how they should be used. 

A tutor of ours moved rental homes because her first rental place didn’t have a ‘squat toilet,’ which was preferred by her parents when they visited.  I recently came across an aritcle about a new product out in the States, a special stool that fits tightly around the toilet replicating the squating position used with a ‘squat toilet.’  Apparently people don’t know there are plenty of ‘squat toilets’ still in production and for sale here.  It sounds like a new wave in the States; people choosing the squating position instead of sitting.  I wish I could jump on that band wagon as I have more then enough opportunities here.  I find my cultural upbringing is still too strong within me as I still like a nice tan and choose a ‘sit toilet’ over any other. 

With all this to say it just strikes me how people almost half the world apart still want what the other has, even if they don’t realize it.  

Our Boys

watching Elmo's World

This morning, unprompted by us, our boys began a conversation of their own in the local language (in blue). 

Whitman, “Hi brother, How are you?”

Caedmon, “Just fine, and you?”

Whitman loudly with enthusiam, “just fine.”



watching movies with a friend

Then not more then an hour later Whitman comes up to me (Erin) to let me know he has a full diaper, then he procedes to say “change diaper” in the local language.  This was the first time he ever notified me he needed a diaper change not to mention it was in the local language. 

Our boys amaze us every day with what they have learned and remember!  We have been taught to learn language ‘like a child’ is the best method.  We are seeing it in action everyday!
 

Volunteer Nursing Opportunity #1

About 5 weeks ago John was at a Wednesday night fellowship meeting and struck up a conversation with a friend, who quickly made known some family health concerns, especially regarding his 10 month-old son.  It turns out they had moved their whole family to the city in order to seek treatment for an apparently incurable itchy rash over most of his body. He had been experiencing the rash for the past five months. They had been to a few different doctors, and each time they’d receive oral medication and skin cream.  The meds quickly dried up the rash, but as soon as the meds ran out, the rash would flare up again.  The doctors’ best guess was an allergy, perhaps to something in the water.  Everyone in the family had some traces of the rash and apparently hundreds of people in their home village suffer the same symptoms.

John quickly offered me, Erin, up as a possible resource, and they came by the a few days later. After taking a look at their son I consulted all the resources at my diposal.  A small side note: it was emphasized throughout my schooling that nurses do not ‘diagnose,’ we asses and make informed decisions about patient care.  But here as English speakers we have access to many resources which the general public doesn’t.  So I consulted books, notes, websites, and one of our partners, a doctor, back home. I recommended the whole family treat for scabies and picked up the treatment at a local pharmacy, which was about 4 weeks ago.  According to the medication, the “mites” would be killed immediately (if it really were scabies), but it could take up to a month for the skin reaction to disappear completely.

Well they followed my advice to a T, but 3 weeks later they still hadn’t seen any improvement. Alas, last Tuesday we got a text message informing us their son’s skin was 98% better, and the rest were 100% back to normal.  They are so happy as they all are more comfortable and sleep much better at night.  Join us in thankfulness, for their health, and the encouragement this has been to us, to be able to help friends in this small way. We are also seeking wisdom on how we may be able to help their home village where “hundreds of households” are still suffering from scabies.

Happy Holidays



the family's rice field right out our bedroom window

One week ago Sunday, was the biggest Holiday for the majority of the population here.  To celebrate the conclusion of their month long fast, people travel to the home of the eldest family member.  Thus most people return to their villages, unless their parents are living in the city of course.  The first day people gather with their family and eat traditional food; usually consisting of at least rice wrapped and cooked in leaves.  There are at least a dozen different methods and leaves for preparing these individually wrapped rice pockets; each with its own name too.  The second day people go around visiting other family and friends at their homes.  We had the pleasure of accompanying some friends to the husband's village.  We spent two nights with his family. 

Caedmon played with cousins and fed chickens!

cookies, fried bananas, and a corn-jello dessert



 

We visited aunts, uncles, and cousins.  At every house we were served traditional cookies (tasting like short bread and arranged very nicely in jars), drinks, and other snacks.


 

 

 Traditionally during this time, people also visit the graves of family members. 

At the end of the stay, we spent one night at a beach well known here for the white sand.  It was beautiful!  We appreciated the time to enjoy the beach, though it wasn't always relaxing as everyone desired our picture.  We did have the opportunity for a boat ride, which provided some alone time!

stopped for a picture

enjoying the beach

finally asked to take a picture of just us

boat ride!
 

On the way, we stopped at a village that specializes in boat making.  These boats are made by hand (with the exception of a chain saw and power drill) and sent all over the country. 

 

Happy Birthday Caedmon!!!

On Monday Caedmon turned 4.  Every Birthday I (Erin) am amazed he is ..(your name it).. years old now.  We enjoy the opportunity to rejoice and celebrate the fact that we had another year together.  Plus, Caedmon loves Birthdays, so how could we not celebrate.  We decided to throw a party and invite friends and neighbors.  This proved a little challenging as many of our friends are fasting (during daylight hours) this month.  None the less, we decided to have a party for Caedmon by having what is called a 'break-fast' event which begins about 6 pm with sweets and progresses into eating dinner together.  We planned, of course, to finish with Birthday cake. 

Caedmon opening his presents in the morning

We began our day celebrating as a family.  John left early, on his bicycle, to pick up donuts for breakfast, but after two flat tires and an hour trying to get to the store, he came home and we ate homemade scones instead.  I (Erin) spent the rest of the morning preparing for the big party.  A good friend took me to a local market to buy all the needed ingredients for 'ice fruit' (literally). 

'ice fruit':
papaya, unflavored gelatin squares, & jack fruit in a liquid of water, sweetened condensed milk, and fruit flavored syrup 

After our language class in the afternoon, my friend returned to show me how to make it.  It is customary to 'break-fast' in the evenings by eating 'ice fruit' and traditional sweets.  So we prepared 60 cups of 'ice-fruit' and plenty of chocolate chip cookies (I went for a traditional Stateside sweet).  What kid wouldn't love a party that opens with sweets right at dinner time?  We followed this with dinner and then Birthday cake of course. 

we've had a hard time finding matches, so I had to use our stove

We all sang to Caedmon in English, then again in the local language.  It was a great time with friends and neighbors.  Caedmon thoroughly enjoyed the day as well!

Almost Famous

There is nothing like moving to a different country to make you stand out.  Since arriving here we've become quite famous.  Everywhere we go people call out to us, talk to us, and love to touch our boys, especially their faces.  People are so interested they will nudge their friends and point us out as we walk by.  Most people have cell phones; therefore people are always ready, and desiring to take our pictures.  Many young people, upon meeting us for the first time want to know if we know other 'famous' people, such as Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber.  Please be thinking of us as we continue to adjust! Sometimes this is quite amusing; other times we seek wisdom to know how to respond in these situations, especially as our boys are less then fond of the constant cheek pinching. 

Shopping...

Fruits and Vegies

We have been amazed at everything that we are able to get here (should we ever need half of it).  There are multiple malls to choose from; ranging from a collection of very expensive western stores to a collection of buildings continually being added onto for more store space.  There are some grocery stores, mostly located within the malls.  There are also many 'hole in the wall' stores and road side stands.  Though we do most of our shopping at the mall, I (Erin) cannot not help but appreciate the convenience of our daily street venders. 

Chopping up and gutting chicken for me!

Every morning, starting at about 7 am guys on motorcycles, usually with added baskets, drive through the neighborhood selling fish, chicken, produce, and bread.  They drive by, yelling "chicken" (for example) and stop if you yell back.  Caedmon and Whitman love listening for and calling out to any vender I might need.  Later in the afternoon there is usually at least one 'ice-cream man,' music included.  I've even seen a guy selling kids toys and another selling household items, like brooms, small buckets, etc.  I buy most of our produce, bread and chicken this way.  I've also bought fish and shrimp as well.  The prices are great and the location even better.  I do have to be careful as they may not always have what I'm looking for or come at the same time each day.  The bread guy, for example, hasn't been by all week, so much for PB&J this week. 

A trip to the mountains!

Last weekend we enjoyed a trip out of town with some friends.  We spent one night in a mountain town of about 200 people.  Prior to leaving, everyone described the place as "cold."  Although I (Erin) had a hard time believing it would really be cold, we all brought light jackets anyways.  It turned out to be noticeably cooler, enough to warrant a jacket in the evening and morning.  Our friends bundled up a bit more!  It felt like a beautiful spring day, it was a wonderful change from the heat and humidity of the city.  Our friends took us all over to see the sights.  We had a wonderful time seeing more of the country, practicing language, and just getting to know our friends better. 

A dam on the way: water from here is piped to our city.

rice fields

a house ride with our friend's daughter

a walk through a Tea Garden (growing tea leaves)

from the top of the Tea Garden; we felt as if we were in a vineyard back home

one of my favorite fruits: literally Holland Eggplants, reminds me of a berry once peeled

a source of fish for those living far from the sea

waterfall

the walk to the waterfall

drying harvested coffee beans

we stopped for some fried bananas and tubers