Back to School

We arrived safely in Penang after a short flight from Bangkok. We had purchased "express boarding" with Air Asia as it is free seating and we wanted to sit together. To our embarrassment, we were the only two who had purchased this, and had to sit in our own section of the boarding area. The airline officials kept yelling at people who dared sit in our section. Unfortunately we already purchased the express boarding for our future flights, so we may have to deal with some more embarrassment.

Elizabeth was wondering where all the long-promised geckos are hiding as we didn't see any in Bangkok. When we were travelling to Hua Hin she did see one on a far off wall. She was happy to see a couple of them outside our guesthouse room at the Dalat International School campus. =)

When we arrived at the campus yesterday afternoon we checked in and then walked to the "hillside" for a dinner of "char kway teow" and chicken with black pepper on rice. Elizabeth was looking forward to some Indian roti there, but unfortunately the vendor that Graham knew from years ago has retired.

The school campus has undergone many changes since Graham was last there in 1999. This afternoon we are meeting with the dorm supervisors and taking a tour of the dorms. This morning we had a nice time visiting with Graham's former English and Journalism teacher John "Tommy" Tompkins, who was a former Dalat student back when it was located in Vietnam. He has been teaching at the school since at least the early 1980's. We will be having lunch with him on Sunday after church.

An unexpected blessing at the Dalat guesthouse is the free use of a washer and dryer. It sure beats having to hand wash everything, especially since we're showering many times a day.

Right now we're at Komtar, a popular shopping complex in the heart of Georgetown, the capital city of Penang. Graham spent many a Saturday afternoon walking around here as a student at Dalat. It has all really changed, however, as the McDonald's is no longer there and there is a brand new mall area adjoining the previous site. Elizabeth is amazed at how massive the malls in Asia have been. It hasn't increased her love of shopping, however. ;^)

Tonight we are planning on visiting Gurney Drive, hopefully with a former classmate of Graham's that he hasn't seen since 10th grade. Tomorrow we hope to venture to Penang Hill and the Kek Lok Si temple.

Thanks for all your prayers. We are keeping in good health and have adjusted to the time difference quite well.

We miss you all and trust you are all doing well.

Blessings,

Graham & Elizabeth