The Philippines: GES

Today my lovely Lucy and I say goodbye to Thailand and fly from Phuket (near Ao Nang) to General Santos (GES) on the south eastern side of the main islands. Technically we stop in Singapore and Manila on the way - hopefully long enough to snap a few photos out the airport windows.

We're excited to stay with our friends Amy and Gary in their home, which is about 5 hours away from Davao, where Typhoon Bopha hit the hardest. We plan to help the relief effort in whatever way we can. Please pray that we find an effective way to help the people in Davao!

*** I'm selfishly extremely excited to add to my sea shell collection.  I've been collecting them since I was 2 or three years old.  Every year it gets harder and harder to find shells I don't already have.  Most of the best shells come from the coasts of the Philippines - which I now get to walk myself!  Expect overly detailed posts about my shell conquests sometime late February. =D

Thailand Travels: Ao Nang

There was a lot of friendly confusion about whether we were going to Phuket, Krabi, Ao Nang, or Railay.  The answer is, 'Yeah, sure.'  I think it was similar to picking between Cannon Beach, Manzanita, or Lincoln City.  The verdict: Ao Nang!  Looking forward to beaches, mangoes and kayaks.  I can't wait!

*** I'm aware that I'm not REALLY Mrs. Anna, but I'm more than a little excited to be a teacher in Siam!

Thailand Travels: Chiang Mai

This is where we hope to see gardens and meet elephants!

Funny New Habits...

• Hometown:  I've never used the word 'hometown' so often.  It's SO COMMON here.
• Avoiding contractions:  Expats naturally stop using contractions when talking to the Chinese.
• "It's okay":  Hao hao hao....everything is okay, always, no matter what....
• Na li?:  If someone pays me a compliment, the polite response is 'Where?' as if I didn't know the compliment were aimed at me.  I like it a lot.
• Shuffling feet: Confident, planted strides are a good way to slip on wet marble and die.
• Blocking/pushing:  Lines? What are those for? Everyone just pushes to where they need to go, like salmon jumping up a fish ladder*
• Passport 24/7:  ID-checking is a common occurrence, so I carry my passport all the time.
• The many uses of packing tape:  Hanging decorations? Broken radiator? Leaky sink? Irritating neighbor?  Packing tape.
• Walking in tandem:  Gal-pals are more physically affectionate here, more demonstrative.  You become really good at walking in sync with one another.
• Lame handshakes:  A firm handshake in China is perceived as brash, commanding, or suggestive.  Some men still have a hard time shaking a woman's hand.  My handshake has adapted to the climate (all things, to all people, right?).  My grasp is currently settled somewhere between "My fingers don't really work" and "Eew, I don't want to touch you."
• We've been told that 'laowai' means 'good old foreigner.'  Rumor has it that 'laowai' could possibly mean 'foreign devil' instead. =D

* The crowds of people always makes me think of salmon because everyone is always bumping into one another.

Thailand Travels: Bangkok

It's currently 2:45am in Xinzheng.  In just four short hours, I'll be headed out with a group of amazing women to go to Thailand!  For the past week I've been sleeping curled up in the fetal position around my space heater.  But in Thailand - there is SUN.  And beaches! Elephants! Orchids! Mangoes! Pineapple! Rice!  Oh wait a minute...

The only bummer is that the amazing powerpoint I made about this trip refuses to be posted.  Bummer.  Instead, I have a really great MAP for you:

In case it isn't clear, I'll be traveling from XinZheng (Shin-jung) to Bangkok.  Soon.  Very soon.  I could sleep.  I will blog as much as I am able!