Week 1

I have been in my new city for five days now. I REALLY DO LOVE IT. Adjusting to a new culture is always a little difficult.  We have spent these past few days getting over jet lag, getting our apartments set up, getting cell phones, getting a scooter, and just settling in to our new lives here. The Littlepage's have been the biggest help to us, especially since we don't speak the language yet. I live in an apartment with a girl named Paula. The rest of the folks I am with live in other buildings in this complex. 

Sometimes I forget where I am because my apartment looks pretty normal. And then I walk outside and everyone stares and it smells bad. We are for sure the only Americans in this part of the city.
It is extremely hot and humid here. And rains just about daily. The locals say that CQ is known for its spicy food, spicy women, and spicy weather. 

The food is delicious. At most places we eat at they serve the food family style, so everyone orders a dish and we all share. They put the dishes on a lazy Susan and each person has their own bowl of rice and you just pile on whatever you want. There is no such thing as manners here. Anything goes. I am style trying to get the hang of using chopsticks. The choice is mine: learn or starve. The americans that are with us have nick-named the restaurants that we frequent so that it is easier to remember. For example, "Car Wash" is a good place to eat and it is next to a car wash. Or, "Mus noods" is a place that has primarily noodle dishes and is owned by Muslims.