country living

We've had a good time thus far in the countryside. There are some things we enjoy more than in the city, and of course, some conveniences we miss (like Wal-Mart!) I've been surprised at how much Grace has enjoyed the new place. Even the very "country" things like the three-wheeled vehicle rides are super-fun to her. You'd think we were at a theme park or something!

We came back to our city for a few days after delivering some friends to the train station, and we will head back tomorrow for another 10 days or so. So, while I have good internet access I thought I'd post a few pictures of where we are staying.

Along our street you can see the row of countryside "town-homes." Often times a family will use the bottom floor of a building for their business or other storage. Our landlord stores his rice on the bottom floor. Our place is the 5th house down. We've been joking that this is our summer home! Actually, it's amazing how far the real estate dollar stretches in small places. We have rented a huge place for just over half what we pay for our much smaller city apartment.
Here's the kitchen, which is MUCH bigger than the small kitchen I have in the city. I've enjoyed the counterspace!
The living room area...but I didn't post a picture of the ugly idols/incense sticks the landlord refused to take down off the wall since we are only staying there one month. We covered it with a towel instead.
Grace's favorite part is that right outside our kitchen window you can see several pigs, roosters, and chickens! She often asks to go see them and "cocka-doodle-doo" with the rooster.
For you multi-taskers out there, Asian bathrooms are highly efficient. We have a "wet-shower" set up. Basically the shower is right over the sink and drains into the squatty potty. You can shave and brush your teeth all while showering. And hey, the toilet's right there too if you get the hankerin'.

Here's Grace getting her daily dose of photos and attention. She's gotten more attention than usual while here, some days it goes over ok and some days she's not in the mood.

Playing guitar with daddy at night.
Watching tv with a new friend who is only 2 days younger than Grace
And, just for grins, playing princess