Passengers

Passengers in cars are very different from passengers on scooters. This morning at 7:30, Sophia drove up on her scooter to take me to church. She said she needed my help since her sister came home from school in Taipei and they didn’t have a bike to get her to church. I said “sure, I’ll do my best.” But I thought “Ah! I’m not ready to have a passenger. Yikes. Glad I said prayers this morning for safety on my scooter.” And I probably said quite a few more before I drove here.

So we went to Sophia’s house and she dropped me off in her living room, then left to pick up Maria and take her to church. Well I was at her house for nearly 40 minutes. One of her sisters doesn’t like to go to church so is really slow. The mom and other sister just had to wait. And so did I today. Didn’t make me extremely happy, but I couldn’t do anything. Mama (who showed me how to get to church that 1st Sunday) gave me breakfast. I was full since I’d had cereal already. She doesn’t speak English and I don’t speak Chinese so I had no way to tell her that. And she was being a great hostess. {I now understand how my Dad could say he was full but keep eating. Sometimes you just have to do that.} I don’t know how to describe what I ate. It was a vegetable soup, I guess. Cold. And she added some powdered flavoring. I was nervous it would be spicy, but it was actually sweet. Not sure on the flavoring but I think I’ve had it before. So I quickly ate that thinking we would be leaving soon. Then she had me eat some mango. Ah! Now I was really full. But it was delicious. Fruit is so yummy. And it is moisture, which I really need since I still sweat a lot and lose water.

Alright. So we left after 8:30 (when church starts) and we survived the trip. When my passenger first got on it took me a minute to balance out the scooter. It’s just so different when someone else is on the back. And I’ve decided these scooters weren’t designed for Americans. My legs are too long so my knees hit the front of the bike. Even when I don’t have someone riding. So annoying! I think if I got in a head-on accident, my knees would feel the brunt of it. (Don’t worry, I’ll do my best to make sure that doesn’t happen.)

Church was really good although we were 45 minutes late. I felt like someone should tell that girl the world doesn’t revolve around here and hurry it up! But it’s probably a touchy issue. Mama and the other daughters kept apologizing for the wait. So interesting. That would never be allowed in my house :) (Chuckle)

Today was ward conference and they split the ward into 2. The bishop was released (he’d served for 6 years) and 2 new ones were called. My friends, Scott & Sarah, were also released as Young Men and Young Women’s Presidents. And Scott is my new bishop! Kind of funny. My boss is in the Stake Presidency and the 2nd in command is my bishop. He looked pretty nervous when he bore his testimony. He said it felt much like the 1st time. I think being bishop once would help you feel more prepared to do it again. Guess it didn’t work that way for him.

I am now in the Daliao ward and we meet at 1:30 p.m. Yeah, won’t have to get up so early for church. And there is no chance to attend the English Sunday School. Oh well. I’d decided to stick with the ward that I am supposed to be in. It’s easier to get to church with the people who live near me. Scott’s girls were a little sad with the division. Now his daughters are the 2 of 3 young women in the ward. But they said mutual will still be combined so that’s good.

On the way home, I had a passenger again. I’m getting better at driving the scooter. And I feel truly experienced now that I’ve survived with a passenger. I saw something that made me laugh. 2 scooters going down the road. The guy on one had his foot on the muffler of the other scooter. Ha ha. I don’t know what was up, but it sure made me laugh. It would be hard to drive so you stayed that way.

Well, this is long enough for now. I feel like I deserve a certificate saying I’ve passed the tests to be a scooter driver in this country. I’ve driven to and from church 3 times, to a night market, to the stationary store, to the markets, to and from a high school in the nearest city 4 times. And I’ve gone to and from church with someone on the back. Yeah!