I did it. I went to the supermarket by myself!

After church I had lunch with some other young adults at the church. It was so nice to met others living here. I really think I am going to like it here. There is a group of young adults that meet every Thursday. I am hoping to go this Thursday and get plugged in :).

But this post isn't about that. This is about my major accomplishment! I have been here for 10 days and today I successfully went to the supermarket by myself. I hailed a taxi (unfortunately the most expensive one) and asked them to take me to Big C (the supermarket). It's a little far away so I got a little nervous when it took so long and I haven't quite figured my way around (so the streets all look unfamiliar). But when we got close I knew we were in the right place! There was a big sign that said Big C :).

I went inside and they wrapped my bag (you have to have your purse wrapped to prevent shoplifting but it also prevents pickpockets). Then I went shopping. I bought a new pillow for my bed because I am borrowing my principal's pillow and sheets because I forgot mine in the States. I was going to by sheets but I don't know the diminisions of my bed, so I will get those next weekend!

I also bought my groceries for the week. Lots of chicken, some garlic, and onion. I also bought a six pack of Sprite and some avocados :). They are super cheap here (less than $1 for a kilogram) and they are big :).

At the market there is a lot of fish. That is alway how you know you are shopping in Asia!

I steer clear of the fish, but there is a lot of it!

I know those!!! They have Goldfish here and they are only $3. In China they were like $6.

After I chose my groceries it was time to stand in line to pay. Well I had 54 lanes (yes you read that right) to choose from. So I stood in line and waited. With 54 lines it only took like 5 minutes but it was kind of slow for a Sunday. The cashier rang up my groceries and I bagged them myself (this is where working at Kroger comes in handy). I paid (350,000 = $16) and I was on my merry way.

Then I got a taxi (again an expensive one but one thing at a time). For some reason some taxis don't know how to get back to my apartment. So he started driving and I just kept getting more and more nervous. The streets are still unfamiliar and I don't see any buildings I recognize. But then I see Star Tower which is a building I know! But my driver turns the other direction. Uh Oh! Now we are entering a part of the city I don't know. So I have to tell the driver to turn around and go back to where I can see Star Tower! Thankfully he is really nice and doesn't kick me out of his car! He turns around and we head back. He turns on a street that looks familiar and I see the park! I know the park! I live straight down the street from the park! So he finally gets me home!

So I accomplished two things today! I went to the supermarket and I got myself home! Even with getting a little lost on the way, it's a pretty big deal since I have only been here 10 days! And what is even better is I didn't feel scared at all. I know the Lord has me here and he is my protector. Everything is just another adventure for us to go on together :).

**the taxi to the store only cost me $4 and the taxi home cost me $5. Expensive for here, but actually pretty cheap :)