Interesting International Facts: variable pricing

Did you know?

That when traveling (or living) internationally there are usually two prices for goods or services. There is the local price and the foreigner price. The local price is usually considerably cheaper than the forienger rate. When I was traveling in Italy, I decided the price paid was directly related to ones ability to tell them in Italian that they are ripping you off. If you could say that, you got a discount.

We are looking at apartments in Mozambique. We saw one earlier this week that was fine. Then they told us the cost per month - $1,200. Yikes! One of the national staff live there. I asked her what she pays to live in the same building (same apartment layout). Her answer was 2,000MTS, which is the equivalent to $58. Wow, what a difference! I am glad to hear the locals don't have to pay the inflated prices they ask us for - there is no way they could live as this is the developing world. But, I am sad for us. Kenyon keeps saying, "these are like New York City prices!" And they are.

We are hoping to find a home soon. In the meantime, we are living in the office guest room.

April 15: tax day

Some of you may be wondering if or how we pay our taxes while living overseas. Well, we are definitely responsible to pay them, but the logistics of how is a bit tricky. There are two things I learned this tax season...

First, I don't know how people did this before the advent of the internet. We had documents emailed to us. We scanned and emailed documents to others. We were able to answer questions for our tax preparer within hours due to email (rather than spend large sums faxing internationally or waiting weeks for it to be mailed). We could even make international phone calls when needed using Skype. All for the cost of the internet we were already paying for.

Second, I don't know how people do this (living overseas and keep the details of their lives in their home country intact) without the support of others. My Aunt Carmen and Uncle Luther collected our documents, helped us find a CPA, and so much more. I don't like to do my own taxes, but it takes an angel to assist with the taxes of another without payment. During our relocation from one continent to the other I was out of contact for a few days, my Aunt and Uncle provided much needed assistance in our absence so everything was taken care of on time.

I have decided it is impossible to live this overseas life without loving and practical support from family and friends. I am so grateful to them for the help in things I am aware of and things I am not.

So, on this tax day I want to honor those who give so much to us in big and small ways, and in doing so allow us the opportunity to live a dream.

Could you live without the support of others? I doubt it. I know I can't.

Rome wasn't built in a day...

Before leaving Cambodia I had one last training session with the staff teams there. At the end of the session is when I announced my departure. There were many tears. For training in the northern province I needed a translator. We hired a young Khmer guy who works with the local church. He is studying business at college and does translation on the side to earn money. English is his second language.

One evening Wayne and I were talking about our struggles with learning the language. My progress did not meet my expectations and neither did his. Wayne said, "I could be in Cambodia 10 years and I will probably still be trying to learn the language."

Without hesitation the translator responded by saying, "Well Wayne, Rome wasn't built in a day."

I was so surprised by his use of this statement. It was perfect timing. Both Wayne and I laughed histerically at his comment. In case you are confused by our amazement, it is unusual for those who speak English as a second language to make those kind of jokes. Usually one must have a deep understanding of a language to be able to be so clever in its use. I can't even carry a conversation in Khmer, much less try to be clever in the use of language!

The next day I complimented the translator on his application and timing of that statement - Rome wasn't built in a day. I also decided that it was something I must teach the English class. At my last full class, I tried to explain how the statement means learning is a process or things take time. I shared with them my story of the translator. They took notes. I wasn't sure it sunk in. Then I got this email from Jenni...

hi sheri,

you will love this! tonight at english class, nimol, told us this story. the other day she was talking with one of the students there who is struggling with learning khmer. and she turned to him and said, "rome wasn't built in a day, you know!" He was so surprised and went on about "who taught you that?? how do you know that??"

Jenni is right. I love it...and I totally understand that guys reaction.

Here is a picture of the English class. We left on a Tuesday, they got together on Monday, so I stopped in to say good-bye.

They said good-bye in a very Asian way..."see you when you see me." I still don't know where they learned that, nor what it means. But, just about everyone says it.

See you when you see me, Cambodia!

Dubai

skyscrapers, skycrapers, skyscrapers...there are skyscrapers everywhere in Dubai!

Man-made marina in the middle of the desert. Who dreams up these things? They are VERY innovative - and rich!

Iconic skyscraper. I always see this in pics of Dubai. That round bit is a helicopter pad. It is built on an island, with high security. It is very exclusive. I am told that breakfast alone at this place can run $200. A one night stay could be $10,000.

My friend Yaz taking her daughter to swimming camp.

The aquarium at Atlantis. I love this pic!

Notice Kenyon's Dubai shirt, I got this for him on my last visit. This time he didn't collect a t-shirt, but he collected memories instead.

I'm a lucky girl!

On our way to Africa we got to stop over and visit my very good friend Yasmine who lives in Dubai. What luck!

We had a great time touring the city. This was Kenyon's first visit to Dubai. He commented continually on how clean it is, how new everything is, how nice it is. We basically visited malls and fancy hotels - is there anything else in Dubai?

The last time I was here it was crazy hot, this time of year the weather is great - sunny with a breeze.

I wish I could have spent a week with Yasmine, Gamil and Joelle, but unfortunately duty calls and we had to continue on our journey. I am so grateul for the time we did have together. Come back tomorrow for more photos of our city tour.