I'm going to try my hand at a catch-up post. Maybe that will be my Sunday routine. I'm not following a prompt or anything, but it's been a big week!
One week ago today, we boarded a plane from Beijing to Da Nang, and that was that. We arrived after midnight Monday morning and breezed through immigration and customs. I couldn't believe it. We were home! As annoying as it was to do the move in two trips, it felt good to just arrive, and catch a cab to the apartment we would unpack into. Home sweet home.
The next several days were a blur of unpacking, walking on the beach, and finding the places we need. We now know of one major Walmart-style store that's about a 25-minute walk from home (a different, bigger one is further away). We found a fruit and vegetable market about 10 minutes away, and we've checked out several restaurants. I managed to navigate the pharmacy situation when I fell in the street and gave my knee a nasty scrape. (It's still oozing. Gross.)
Brett and I both agree that, although we notice that we're sweating, it doesn't really feel hot. People who live in arid climates and say "at least it's a dry heat" must be crazy. That's the hot heat! This is just delicious. But to each their own.
Saturday was another installment of the International Fireworks Competition, so we had some friends over and watched the fireworks from the terrace upstairs. It was pretty cool. It's amazing to me how quickly we have friends here. The fireworks were also a good opportunity to meet more of our neighbors who live in this building.
Today was rainy, but I took a walk on the beach anyway. I enjoy the rain, especially near the water.
Reminds me so much of our early days living in Ecuador. Finding a market close to us, locating the bigger grocery stores, learning what buses to take to the mall where the Wally World Wanna Be stores were....walking the neighborhood was the best. I miss a lot about it but am also happy to be back in the US where, at our age, things are easier for us.
ReplyDeleteKeep blogging!!! (and writing that book...)
I love finding gems in the neighborhood. There's one pop-up eatery I want to try, but since it's just tables set up near a food cart with a tarp over it, sometimes it's not there!
DeleteAt the nail salon I go to, the owner and his wife always tell me I should move to Vietnam. It sounds like Paradise. I hope your stay is grand.
ReplyDeleteAre they Vietnamese? Greet them with "Sin-chao!" That's hello. Or to be more impressive, try "Chao bwey san!" for good morning.
DeleteI know there will be issues, but so far, I'm in love.
As someone who lives in a fairly dry climate, I can tell you that there is a big difference when it's hot and dry and when it's hot and humid. Hot is still hot, though.
ReplyDeleteThat's the thing. Beijing is quite dry - it's on the edge of the Gobi desert. And summer there was just miserable. We don't even notice the temperature as much here. It's weird. Our air conditioner is off in the middle of most days, although it's over 90 most days.
DeleteI absolutely love it here. I still kick myself for not making this decision much much earlier
ReplyDeleteI think we did the right timing for us. I'm glad for the time we spent in China, and I think our trials there will help us here.
DeleteThere's so much to discover when you move house - and in your case, even more to discover because you've moved countries. You seem to be adapting amazingly well!
ReplyDeleteWe love it. I do think that living in China first helped, because there are many similarities ... but better.
DeleteI've been in both the dry and the humid heat. My preference if dry! We've been really humid here in Kansas. I am loving your move to Viet Nam!!
ReplyDeleteI honestly think the biggest difference for me is that I don't need to be dressed "office appropriate." Being able to wear loose-fitting, flow-ey clothes helps. And knowing that everyone understands my need for a big floppy hat, or that my face is shiny.
DeleteIt's a very freeing thing to not care too much about appearances.