I have been in five Asian countries: India, Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. I have officially left that continent and I wanted to share some things I will not miss and things I will miss.
Things of Asia I won’t miss terribly:
Bathrooms where the shower and toilet are in the same area
Always walking out of the bathroom with wet feet
Spiders and insects (ironically, especially ants. They are over everything and bite you).
Squatty potty
White rice
So many people taking pictures of us in public or strangers always asking for selfies
Expecting all Americans to be experts in all areas
Being asked about Trump
The humidity and heat
Dust
All clothing sizes being way smaller than in the US. A small in the US can be an XL in Asia.
Lack of cheese
Lack of beef (although I was still able to get a good burger occassionally).
Things of Asia I will miss:
Fresh fruit (especially mangos)
Scenery when driving through the rice fields
Smoothies
Exercise equipment randomly installed in parks and sidewalks
Hospitable people- we always felt welcomed into the homes we visited!
Dancing at church events
Christmas decorations everywhere- even in May!
Palm trees
Rain showers that last for hours
T-shirts with English words that make no sense
Chai
The children
The oddities of Asia
Our hosts always offering us more food- “Eat more!”
Gecko watching
Super cheap, but great street food
The diverse scenery
The sunsets
Fun modes of transportation
The natural beauty of each country
I have learned to sit crossed-legged, to always take your shoes off when entering a home, have learned to use a squatty-potty. I have learned to eat with my hands, chopsticks, and only a spoon. I have eaten so much rice, I have LOVED the fresh fruit like mangos, and enjoyed the super cheap street food.
However, more importantly I have loved the people of these cultures. I have worshipped with them, done life with them, ministered to them and with them. Laughed with them and said many goodbyes. These people are so sweet and beyond hospitable. My Asian family will be missed.
