First Impressions

Walking out of baggage claim and customs into the waiting area, we entered a familiar chaos.  There was the same bar to keep back the waiters from the door where the arrivers would exit.  Children (and their chasers/parents) and some who interpret rules loosely moved past this barricade with little trouble.  Searching the crowd of eager onlookers, we found what we were looking for - in bold block typeface - MCC.  Hai was there to pick us up.  He helped us to the curb where we waited in the cigarette smoke for the hired car to come and pick us up.  As we waited, the humidity in the air, the people around us, the cars passing by all had the familiar feel of our former SE Asian home.  The words they were speaking did not.

Driving from the airport to the city was a stark reminder that we were not in Central Java.  Before us was a sprawling metropolis - home to more than six million - quite different than our former home - a quaint town of less than two hundred thousand.  Then we were reminded by our new friend that the city was quiet now because of Tet (lunar new year).  After a bit of weaving and winding we arrived near our destination.

Our new home is quite different as well.  For starters, there are other homes that share two of its walls.  There is no yard.  There are two large plants growing in front, but they are in pots, not the ground.  Our new home reminds us that, though we are in SE Asia, we are not in the place we were one year ago.  We are in a new place.  A different place.

The people here seem very friendly.  We met a neighbor who speaks English.  We sat with some men at a convenience store (of sorts) that do not.  One spoke some English.  They all were eager to know us.  All of us sat smiling and wishing that we could communicate better.  And, of course, everyone is smitten with Edward.  

The busses are incredibly efficient and affordable, though not yet predictable.  Riding the bus, we were able to visit an international church.  We were warmly welcomed.  After church, we joined the group for lunch at a western-ish restaurant.  We were told that all of the Vietnamese places were closed for Tet - though it was unclear if that would have been the choice following the service.  After lunch we journeyed home. We celebrated a successful outing - successful, because we did not get lost and we managed to get off the bus at the appropriate time on both our going out and our return.

The streets are starting to fill with people.  The holiday period is coming to a close.  We are told, though stores and restaurants may start to open, it will be a few days yet before everyone gets back.