On our way back to Indonesia

June 2nd, 2008

We’re in Taipei, Taiwan right now. We survived the 12 hour flight from Seattle, but I think that was the most turbulence I’ve ever been through… So much that I had to reach for the airsickness bag a few times, just in case. Luckily it never came down to that, but my stomach was queasy for most of the flight. We have a 3 hour layover, then a flight to Jakarta, followed by a 3-hour car ride back to Bandung.

I’m looking forward to a good night’s sleep tonight in our own bed.

What I miss about Indonesia…

May 10th, 2008

I’m having a great time in Seattle spending time with family and friends. I have missed some things about Indonesia though, and I’ll be happy to return in a few weeks. Here are some of the things I miss:

  • Nasi Rendang – My favorite Indonesian food. Beef cooked in coconut milk and spices, served with rice, cassava leaves and young jackfruit.
  • Warmth – It’s spring in Seattle, but it hasn’t really felt like it. Yesterday morning the temperature was close to freezing. Billy and I had to go to a thrift store to buy some warm clothes, because we didn’t really have any.
  • Butterflies – There are so many varieties of butterflies around our home in Bandung. It’s so nice being able to sit on the balcony in the morning there, and watch them.
  • Friends – In one year we’ve made a lot of great friends.

Things I don’t miss about Indonesia:

  • Angkots – These are the public transportation in Bandung… Mini-buses with crazy drivers that drive very unpredictably.
  • Air quality (or lack of) – There’s a lot of pollution in Bandung. The air in Seattle feels and smells so fresh and clean.

Back in Seattle!

May 3rd, 2008

We arrived back in Seattle safely on Tuesday night. Billy and I have both been feeling a bit sick, and I’ve been hit pretty hard by the jet lag this time around, but it’s nice to be home. We’re looking forward to seeing a bunch of people at an Open House tomorrow night that my Dad & Step-Mom are hosting for us.

The air smells so good, and everything’s so clean!