Only in Asia

(Warning: Obviously these observations don't ONLY pertain to the specific country of Asia I am in, but the phrase "Only in Asia"  is meant as hyperbole in order to be humorous. Enjoy these hilarious and wonderful cultural differences)

 Only in Asia:

1. Is it completely normal for a government official to look at your passport photo and go “wow, you are really ugly in this picture, much more beautiful in person.”

2. Does the sight of a squawking chicken running through your house not phase you.

3. Is a dog of four years old considered quite old because, well….they eat them after about three years.

4. Do you go poking around your back yard for dinner.

5. Does every single beauty product have something in it to make your skin paler.

6. Is respecting and honoring others more important than your own personal opinion.

7. Will you get judged for only bathing once a day.

8. Can a small village child handle a machete better than you.

9. Are people shy to do most anything except get up in front of everyone and boldly sing karaoke.

10. Are the people as lovely as the country they live in.

11. Is making a handmade dart gun and long sharp sticks to go with it perfectly normal to catch fish with.

12. Are paths down a mountain optional.

13. Will they tell you honestly how you look, so maybe don’t ask if you’re having a bad hair day.

14. Will people change their whole lives and schedules around just to help you, and it’s perfectly normal.

15. Does family absolutely come before yourself. Every. Single. Time.

16. Do they look at a grasshopper and go “yum!”

17. Do the young male farmers dress more punk than Fallout Boy.

18. When you stay in the villages does sleeping in till 6:30am make you feel like the laziest person ever.

19. The meal will not count as a real meal unless sticky rice is involved.

20. Can you fit an unprecedented amount of people and things on the back of a motorbike. 

21. Will somebody ask "What's a seatbelt?"

22. Is it normal to walk into a house with no bathroom or running water but the people will be watching TV and playing on cellphones.

23. The longer you are here the more "squatting" becomes a relaxing pose.

Hope you enjoyed just some of the fun little things I notice about this great place I get to live in, there are a million more funny things I could say and probably many more that I haven’t experienced yet. Glad yall are on this adventure with me! Please keep supporting My Farmer and I as we pursue long-term visas, documents and LAND. As I wait in the city and learn more language and other skills, He is finishes school! We really need more monthly supporters, just $20 at least per month. We love you guys, you make all the work we do possible!