What We’re Learning…

Surprise… constantly seem to be stepping into all kinds of kaka and making a real mess of things, here’s a small sample…

• Assuming most locals (store keepers, taxi drivers, etc) speak english, they generally do not.

• Assuming we can speak the local dialect, we cannot, as yet (notwithstanding our heartfelt “hello” and “thank-you” that somehow always seems to make the locals smile or laugh).

• Thinking you always have to be doing something — its ok to take 5 minutes, relax and enjoy a coffee, song or the world passing by…

• Expecting drivers to follow posted traffic signs or laws, they’re mostly optional.

• There’s pretty much two types of drivers for hire, the kind who takes it slow and easy, relax, no worries, we’ll all get there… expect to get the other kind’

• Thinking you can get up (or stay up) late in the day, sunrise and sunset is at 6 am/pm everyday (if you forget, the roosters, dogs and song birds will be glad to remind you).

• Paying more than $25/month for my cell phone, going to downsize to the all-you-can-eat $12/month plan.

• Doing laundry, you can get it all done (wonderfully) for pennies on the pound — not that you need that many clothes 🙂

• Forgetting to leave a little food on my plate (except rice) — finishing everything typically indicates you’re still hungry (which is often the case) — and I have to stop licking my fingers.

• Thinking you can actually cook up a local dish, you can try but its never as good as the $1 blue plate special from almost any street vendor.