Moving On To K.T.

After a quick 50-minute flight yesterday afternoon (following a fee for overweight baggage at the airport...I brought way too much stuff), our group arrived in Kuala Terengganu.  After picking up our luggage, we were greeted by Len and a few people involved with the education system here who gave us each a lace rose as they met us.  I was touched again with people's efforts to welcome us here.  

We're staying in a hotel right by Chinatown and on the Terengganu River, so we are in a great location.  Our view of the river from the hotel is gorgeous, especially at sunset, and we ate out on the porch last night. Until January 27th, we'll be staying here as we are training to teach, learning Malay, and getting used to Terengganu.  

We're still not sure of our placements, but there will probably be four or five of us teaching here in K.T. I'm so glad to have Len with us since he already knows the ropes. Poor thing, we are overwhelming us with questions, but I guess that's what he's here for.  

At dinner I got my first lesson in eating with my hands.  It's a technique that will take some getting used to, but at the same time the four-year-old within me is really excited about eating this way.  (Dad, you might have trouble with it since there is a risk of getting sticky.)  

Later on last night Len took us into Chinatown, and we got delicious fruit smoothies and talked for a while.  My smoothie was watermelon and tasted so delicious -- exactly like melted watermelon in a glass. The best part was it only cost 2.50 Ringet, which is about 75 cents in USD.

This morning, after taking a cold shower because I couldn't figure out how to make the water heater work (oops), we headed out to explore Chinatown and take a look at some clothes we can teach in.  It was fun exploring the area, and we ended up in a two-story market selling everything from clothing to fruit.  It was nice because the vendors weren't pushy trying to get us to buy anything, and that made me feel more comfortable just observing all the stands and shops.

Then it was on to the Mayang Village, which Len described as similar to but nicer than Wal-Mart.  We ate lunch there and then shopped around for a bit.  It's always interesting to look around grocery stores in other countries.  This store was huge and really well-stocked with many choices, some familiar and many very foreign.  Poor Gwynne accidentally bought lotion that is supposed to make your skin whiter, which seems to be a big seller here judging by the large assortment of lotion choices.

The best part of the day, by far, was our visit to the beach, which is about two miles from the hotel (Len drove us).  Except for a few kids flying kites, the beach was ours and it was gloriously beautiful.  We collected shells, waded in the water (which was perfect: not too hot and not too cold), and played in the sand.  Minus a little sunburn, it was a wonderful afternoon and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. 

 

This town is (of course) much smaller than K.L., but I'm so glad we're here since it's much more similar to where we'll be living for the next few months of our lives.  Just being here will help prepare us, I'm sure.