Beltane \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Solstice Moon<\/p>\n
The two ex-pats nodded knowingly at each other as they discussed returning to the U.S. for visits from their home’s abroad. \u00a0Mark said, “Yes, I walk down the hall at the motel and people move aside.” \u00a0Mary said, “Yes, I now what you mean exactly.” \u00a0Mark continued, “It’s the nuances. \u00a0I understand the signs here. \u00a0I don’t have to communicate with sign language.” \u00a0Again Mary agreed, but added, “Still, when I come back, there are also things that are strange.” \u00a0She talked about a time when she needed to call me to tell she had gotten delayed, but could no longer find a pay phone. \u00a0But they both agreed, Mary from Singapore and Mark from his motel in Coon Rapids, that there was a feeling of comfort at being in the home culture.<\/p>\n
Mary says the pollution in Singapore is bad enough to make breathing difficult. \u00a0Loggers in Indonesia burn the forests, then the smoke crosses the Straits to reach this fortunately air-conditioned nation. \u00a0When Singaporeans and Malaysians complain \u00a0to Indonesia, the Indonesians point that the companies which own the forests and do the clear cutting and burning are owned by Malaysians and Singaporeans. \u00a0Meanwhile, many people wear masks or stay inside. \u00a0With little wind during the hot summer months it’s unclear how long this pollution will be around. \u00a0It began last Friday.<\/p>\n
(Singapore yesterday)<\/p>\n
Mary also reports that dengue fever, also known as bone break fever, has infected 10,000 already this year as opposed to 5,000 last year. \u00a0This has lead officials to declare dengue hot spots, marked with red circles, in which there have been ten or more cases. \u00a0In those hot spots mosquito control will come into your home and check for mosquitoes. \u00a0We know about mosquitoes, but not dengue fever, though West Nile virus is here.<\/p>\n
(sand storm, Riyadh)<\/p>\n
In response to a question Mark said that sand storms create similar problems to the haze in Singapore, with respiratory illnesses increasing.<\/p>\n
The ex-pat life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Beltane \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Solstice Moon The two ex-pats nodded knowingly at each other as they discussed returning to the U.S. … Continue reading Ex-Pats<\/span>