and realize that we have been living in a very citified area, and hadn't realized it.  Malaysia is trully beautiful away from town.  We drove by palm tree forests--much like you would see in the States--with trees row after row, in various heights and stages of growth.  I'm not sure what they use the palm for.  We also saw rice fields--bright green fields, swamped in water.  It reminded me of spring, at home--you know, how the wheat or corn looks, just as it begins to launch out of the ground?  It was such a relief to be in these wideopen spaces.

We stopped at a rest stop to meet Suresh, and had a chinese bun...called...just asked E, and he can't remember what they're called.  They're very white, steamed, and filled with yummy things.  Which reminds me to tell you how we eat, now. 

We began by only eating at the hotel, because it felt safe, and comfortable.  As we've ventured out, we've learned that there is really good food out there.  Hotel food is safe...but not very good, we've learned.    The food is mainly unrecognizable, and frankly, I am unable to even ask for the same dish twice--we are mainly reduced to pointing and hoping...but almost always find the food tasty after I get over the fact that we're the entertainment in every eating establishment we go to. 

The way to choose a restraunt is by volume--the more people there, the better the food.  We walk around, and try to pick out what most people have on their plates. 

We don't worry about silverware...because most don't use utensils here. We've taken to bringing our own hand wipes too, because most places don't have napkins, either.

We usually pick up breakfast at the local chinese bakery, the night before.  Kind of like donuts, without the frying and the sugar.   We usually eat pb and J for lunch, on white bread...and lots of yummy fruit...just to help with the whole 'eating something wierd for dinner' syndrome.  E eats something wierd for lunch AND dinner, his choice!  I'm hoping that he will be utterly sick of foreign food by the time we get home!  The girls almost always order a cheese pizza, no sauce from room service at exactly 8pm, if we're home.  They've obviously branched out from fruit and rice, eh?

We've also found a great grocery store, and keep our room stocked with water and soda and...chocolate, much to the dissapointment of the individual in charge of restocking the mini bar.