News
- News
Sep 2008

This Country Looks Good on Us

We had an opportunity to visit with some people at the bottom of a pagoda with a 360 degree view of the town rooftops. We appreicated their culture more, as we donned their traditional garments. The women’s outfits have a padded back for carrying heavy loads or two baskets dangling from a wooden brace across the back. When they are past weight bearing age, their padded backs are decorated with the beautiful circles you see in the photo.
IMG_4360IMG_4350IMG_4382IMG_4356IMG_4374



Stepping into the Past

We had the opportunity to travel as a family to a nearby town and stay in a traditional home. Four cornered home with rooms opening onto a courtyard in the center. A friend had purchased the place and fixed it up in 2007, which included installing indoor plumbing. Our room had a single enormous bed, larger than a king size, and the four of us slept there with plenty of room.
IMG_3816IMG_3825IMG_3848IMG_3826
On the day we arrived, we heard firecrackers outside the door and opened it to find a wedding party coming down the walking street and into the house across the way. Hannah got a glimpse inside while the groom stood outside. Traditionally, the groom comes to the bride’s home and has to go through two or three doors to finally get into the room where she is. He brings “red envelopes” full of money to convince those at the door to let him in. Then, he and the bride take a drive all afternoon until the evening when the two of them stand outside a reception hall and give out candy and cigarettes to guests who in turn give more “red envelopes”. Then, all go inside to enjoy a meal together.
IMG_4153 IMG_4159

Harvest Time

We had a fantastic view of this year’s fall harvest as we traveled between cities on a bus. Corn and rice were reaped by hand. Hannah and I began a “count the farmers” game as a derivation of “I Spy” because we could always spy farmers! Scarecrows were plastic bags on sticks or sometimes sticks dressed in a hat and jacket. Rice was threshed into baskets which were then poured out onto concrete floors to dry in the sun. The stalks, I am told, are bundled to dry for animal bedding or ground into animal feed. Tobacco was also harvested and the stalks were neatly trimmed and bundled after all the leaves had been harvested. They were burned in heaps. Manure was spread over the ground to replentish it in its dormancy. IMG_3765IMG_3794IMG_3501IMG_3538
IMG_3566IMG_3572

Morning, Glory

My dad and mom recently sent me some photos of the morning glories outside their home in the mountains. Beautiful new blooms greet them as they step out onto the porch each morning. Here on the other side of the world, Joshua had spied a volunteer vine growing up a bush in front of our courtyard. I gingerly uprooted it and replanted it in our apartment where the sun could welcome it each morning. And the next morning when I stepped out onto our balcony I recognized the blossoms as a purple Asian version of my mother’s same vine. A sweet reminder of home.
MorningGlory_1143IMG_3436

Loose Tooth!

Joshua passed a milestone tonight!  The losing of his first (second, actually) tooth!  We began a new family tradition.  Instead of the Tooth Fairy, everyone gets a popsicle. Quite tasty!
IMG_3430IMG_3432

Pediatric Floor

Hannah attends a national kindergarten where she learns songs and dances and receives excellent care. Sometimes too excellent.

A few weeks ago, the English teacher from the school called to say Hannah needed her “mummy”, and something about a red ear. I phoned David in his class and he left immediately. My house helper and I rushed (3 blocks) to the school to see what was the matter. The teachers showed me the saloon style doors into the classroom that had previously worn metal handles (now removed) and went to the class where the English teacher was having a lesson. I said... “Where IS Hannah?” Without a word, the administrator who was with me pointed out of the window at a nearby hospital. That is what I mean by too excellent.

Well, we hustled over to the hospital and found Hannah in her teacher’s arms, just exiting the hospital registration. Our school carries insurance on each child just in case of these circumstances. I took Hannah (the teacher gave her up reluctantly) and followed the three escorts from the school up to the 6th floor, pediatrics. I was relieved to have my house helper and dear friend who translated from the doctor to me by using her phone to type out characters back and forth (instead of a pad of paper). David arrived: alcohol, iodine, gauze and we were done. They wanted to give her a shot, but I politely refused, “It’s just not my culture”.

Most hospital or clinic visits include an IV and a shot. One weekend my house helper returned from a visit to see her folks and filled me in. “I had 4 IVs and 2 shots because I had a sore throat. Huh? Just a different culture!

On our way home, the three escorts from Hannah’s school informed me that they would stop by tonight to check on her. I quizzed my house helper, “Does this mean I should fix dinner? When will they come? What should I expect?” So when 6 o’oclock rolled around, I had tidied the house, prepared snacks and drinks, and laid out house shoes. David went down to meet the incoming party and sent me a text, “Ten people coming!” Sure enough, our living room was soon full of people!

Hannah offered them soy beans and chips and everyone politely refused until I offered again. Then each person took one chip.
I had gone shopping and picked up a plant to thank the administrator for helping us with Hannah, but when I asked the English teacher who to give it to, he quickly corrected me. “Don’t give a gift unless you have one for everyone.” Oh no! I thought. So they left and I texted back and forth with the English teacher and go the whole gift thing straightened out. Turns out, he was concerned that I not overlook “Teacher’s Day” on the following day. No problem. He also suggested I give a gift to Joshua’s former teacher as well, advice which I took as I reflected on how much extra work he was for her in the classroom.

Two weeks later, Hannah’s ear is completely healed, but will always have a scar. The school has a very polite thank you note from us, that also outlines in no uncertain terms that she is not to be taken to any hospital without an adult, and that no immunizations, medications or even vitamins will be administered. “It’s just our culture.”

IMG_3212
IMG_3206

Third Culture Clothes

Joshua and Hannah dressed up for a friend’s birthday party in national attire. I was tickled because I talked 40% of the seller’s prices for the outfits.

IMG_3255IMG_3260IMG_3311IMG_3247