A Note from the Pastor, August 4, 2013

FUN FACTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Written by Claudia Elzinga.

Mike & Claudia Elzinga—volunteers with World Missions
http://twocamerasonemission.com/2013/07/30/fun-facts-from-around-the-world/

Here are a few things I've learned along the way…

• Hello in Hungarian is “seeya,” which makes pretty much any interaction with a local confusing.
• Guys wearing longyi’s (skirts) in Myanmar are going commando (source: a local guy).
• The words “wiener” and “fahrt” are on EVERYTHING in Austria and it’s hilarious
• While on an interview, the interviewee will almost always move his/her chair when asked to sit down, even though Mike just got finished setting up the shot perfectly.
• Potty talk is quite common on the mission field. Even at the dinner table.
• Claudia was told to slow down while eating four times while in Myanmar.
• In Bangladesh, people eat dinner at 10 or 11 P.M., and then go right to bed. Even the kids. Many restaurants don’t open until 6 P.M.
• Elevators/ramps are extremely rare in Asia, even in hotels or apartment buildings. They are, however, quite common in shopping centers, but without well paved roads or accessible transportation, I don’t know how you’d get there in the first place.
• Cheese in Asia is incredibly expensive – it was difficult to find a block of cheese at the grocery store in Indonesia for less than 10 dollars.
• Alcohol in Asia, however, is the same price as any other liquid. A giant beer for 60 cents. A bottle of whiskey for a dollar.

In my opinion…

• Best Public Transportation Systems: Beijing, China, Melbourne and Sydney, Australia. Budapest, Hungary.
• Best Food: Curry in Nepal, everything in China, stew and chapati in Uganda/Kenya, coconut curry soup in Thailand, lentils in Bangladesh, fish in Egypt, mici (“meech”) in Romania.
• Worst Bathrooms: China and Indonesia. Though in Europe you can pay up to a dollar for a seat, so…
• Friendliest Country: Philippines is definitely up there. Their country-wide slogan is “it’s more fun in the Philippines” and they’re totally right
• Most Beautiful Country: New Zealand. Coming in as a four-way tie for second: Egypt, Slovenia, Romania, Nepal. Oh and Uganda, China, Indonesia… (probably Bangladesh if it had been safe to leave Dhaka)

A humorous look at some of the things people experience when they travel far from home and the comfort of familiar things. A good reminder to continue to pray for our missionaries!