Oh, you would just be so proud of me!

Having finally had my fill of hotel room and pool...

and having decided that I was more than ready to go home...

I petitioned the internationals on my homeschool forum (the sonlight forums...)

and asked for prayer. 

They concluded that I had one of two choices--get out, and have that adventure I've been talking about for so long...or GO HOME.  Harsh, but correct.

So Thursday, I bit the bullet, and took the shuttle to city center Penang.  Now, I've been here before--this was the same location of the hotel we didn't like, the ringget/rat contest, and the scarey taxi ride.  But I knew that it was really my only choice to see any of Penang on my own. (and my husband is working continually, and not available to babysit the girls and I!)  I had planned on catching a taxi at city center to the Penang museum, and then catch another taxi to Gurney Mall, my comfort zone. *grin*. 

However, once arriving, the girls spotted some bike/rickshaw type carts. (I know they have names, but I'm not recalling it at the moment).  So I threw up a quick prayer, picked the cleanest...negotiated a price...and we jumped in! 

*a sidenote on rickshaw/bike drivers.  We initially had great sympathy for our driver...   We had a quick math lesson, however, and realized that if he has steady business, he easily makes as much as a first year teacher at the Dalat school. We enjoyed our ride more, after that! (and we had the added bonus of Asian reworked 50's music...haha)

I am so in love with this mode of transportation.  It's like walking, without the sweat.  (wonder why we don't walk??  Well let me tell ya.  Walking in 90/90 weather is unbearable for us!!)  We were able to see downtown Penang at street level.  I had pseudo comfort of being in the street, but not OF the street. 

We stopped at several temples, and peeked throught the windows.  

* a side note on temples.  We have greatly debated whether or not  we should visit temples.  They are such a vital part of this multi religious culture--Hindu, Buddist, Chinese/Ancestral, and Muslim temples dot every corner of every street.  

Eric and I discussed this at length after Suresh (a Hindu) removed his shoes in our home in the states...we decided that removing one's shoes shows honor in this culture at ALL temples...and that would be our deliniating line as Christians--we would not go farther into a temple than where it was still appropriate to wear our shoes.  This has been a great decision for us, and easy to teach our 8 and 10 year old daughters.  Incidently--God has whispered to my heart twice now the words: 'Thou Shalt not have any god before me'. (why in King James, I haven't any idea!!)  The first time was at Kapitan Mosque, the first mosque built in Penang, I believe.  The second time was at a gift shop with some quite ancient looking carvings.  I don't believe that God is warning me, as in, that he's afraid I'll 'change sides'...but rather that He is telling me/showing me that He is a GREAT, GREAT God. 

Sorry for the long side note!

We suddenly arrived at the museum, not having had any idea of our location, or our destination on the rickshaw.  By this time, we were quite hot, and welcomed the air-conditioned coolness of the museum.  The rickshaw driver seemed to want us to hurry, and I had a hard time communicating that we wanted to just pay him, and be left there.  I finally found someone able to translate, and implied that my husband was coming to pick us up there.  For some reason, this works EVERY time!

We toured the museum, but not thoroughly, because the girls were tired and hungry.  So we walked out at the same time that the school kids were being released (that was interesting for the girls!) and I hailed my taxi, having been thoroughly coached by a kind museum guide. (stand at the side of the road, and wave your hands wildly! hahaha)

We arrived at the Gurney, headed for Starbucks, and gave eachother high-fives.  I had conquered my fear, and ventured out with the girls on my own.  Granted, I was charged triple for the taxi...but WE DID IT!  *smile*