Manado

Sorry it's been a while since my last update. I'm in my house, but I don't have internet, although I've been trying for the last two weeks to get it. It'll probably be a while, so I'm stuck at internet cafes, where my time is limited. So I'll try to give some information about my life right now, but a bigger update will have to wait.

I live on the second floor of a house, renting from an old woman who doesn't speak any English, which isn't a problem. My house is very close to my school, so I can easily walk back and forth, though sometimes I get escorted home by teachers or students.

Things I do not have:
the internet
a stove (yet)
hot water
a bathroom sink (I brush my teeth in the kitchen)

Things I do have:
air conditioning
a flushing toilet
a refrigerator
a gecko living in the kitchen
a couple cockroaches, some ants, and some tiny moths
rolling blackouts

Manado is very hot, but during the last week it started to rain every day, which helps. During the dry season the power goes off regionally every day, so every afternoon I've been without air conditioning or running water (because I live on top of a hill, it takes an electric pump to bring me water). But this should be ending now with the rain, which is nice.

The city is pretty easy to get around, so I've been downtown a lot, where there are restaurants and shops and things. So far I've had a lot of time on my hands because I was just observing in the class, but tomorrow I start teaching, so that should keep me busier.

Everyone here is very friendly and helpful, and I've been feeling fine. I've invested in some pest-control, and everything seems to be working all right. Hopefully I'll get internet at home next week, and then I can post come pictures!