SEALLAW1

Well, yesterday I made it here and we got started. Now we've finished the first full day. It's been an interesting blend of worship, experience, a little theory, and a little practice. But beyond the sessions, the highlights have been swimming in the ocean, seeing the sunset over the ocean, and buying a bike.

 

Yes, you heard right. When I enquired about renting a bike, I was told that it would cost 20 ringitt a day(sp, Malaysian money, about 3.8 to a dollar, or about 10 nt to a ringitt. On the other hand, it would cost 170 ringitt to buy a new bicycle. So I bought a new bicycle and will likely give it to the camp, or someone else, when I leave. That's about $50 US or about $5 a day, so i'd better ride it now. (Of course, if I could sell it for half price....)

 

Let's see, Joey, that would be $1 a km if I ride 5 km a day, 10NT a km if I ride 15 km a day. I guess it's a luxury, and Sarah will tell me I shouldn't have done it. It's one of those cheap bikes with probably 18 speeds like they sell at RT Mart.

 

The swimming in the ocean was most notable in that I was swimming with a Korean and a Chinese from mainland. The chinese brother had never swum in the ocean before. Even though the ocean was very calm, the beach was very gradual, no visible coral, and there were a few irritations from jellyfish like stuff, he was like totally awed by the experience, which also made it more fun for me!

 

I now have no excuse not to ride 1 km every day anyway, as that's what it takes to get to the internet cafe, where I'll be going shortly. I'm writing this first as I don't know how much he'll charge if I just get on for a few minutes. That costs 2 Ringitt an hour, I'm told.

 

I hope all is going well with you. The first night I shared a double bed with another man. Then today it came out that the person who assigned the rooms didn't know there was only one bed in it, and most of the other rooms did not have double beds. Result: I've been moved to another room and now have it to myself, as does he the first room. The accomodations are a step up from Dajia, but not two steps up :-)

 

Everything is clean, there is an old AC in the room as well as a cheap ceiling fan, and I actually have a bathroom with the shower separate from the toilet, unlike the previous room, where it was all together. The shower head does leak out the top where it's cracked, but I just put my index finger over the crack.

 

It's hot here and i have not used hot water for a shower and not missed it at all.

 

Love to you all, and I hope I am rewarded with some email tonight. I'll try to skype, too.

 

Steve

 

Dr. Steve and Laura Spinella, Sarah, Joey, Robby
Da Yi Street, Lane 29, #18, 2F-1, Taichung 40454, TAIWAN
011.886.4.2236.6145, of 4.2236.1901, fx 4.2236.2109, cell 9.2894.0514
USA: 9685 Otero Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80920, 719.528.1702, cell 719.640.1261
TEAM, PO Box 969, Wheaton, IL 60189, 800.343.3144
<www.team.org.tw/spinella>, <www.team.org.tw/ccg> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TEAMspinella/>
<spinella@alumni.rice.edu>, <lauraspinella@alumni.rice.edu>