We are more the same than different

I had elaborate plans for my first blog post of the trip.   But my mind is so full already of new experiences that it is hard to organize my thoughts yet.  Alas, it's better to post something at this point than nothing at all!

My flights went well and were easy to bear.  I did pray for those of you who gave me prayer intentions.  Doah, Qatar was not scary at all.  The airport was very international and, even though I sheltered myself in a first-class lounge, I had enough time to see the terminal as well. And buy a couple of trinkets.  Qatar Airways bills themselves as "the world's five star airline" and the service was impressive and enjoyable.

I adopted each new time zone as I arrived and seem to be experiencing very little jet lag.

The ride from the Jakarta airport to the SVD house was eye-opening.  I thought of my little sister Laura whose degrees include urban planning, because there appears to be none here!  Drove by a garish-looking Mall of Indonesia, complete with  huge King Kong, while seeing tenements asking the freeway. Zillions of motorcycles wove in and out of traffic, and horns were constantly blaring. I had been warned about the bad air pollution here; I could literally see it.  And everyone was smoking.

After dinner with the SVDs, I retired to my air-conditioned room around 8:30 p.m. and was in bed by 9:30.

I awoke this morning for morning prayer at 6 a.m. followed by Mass, all in Indonesian.  I took great comfort in the familiar sights of crucifix, altar, ambo and tabernacle, and if course in the celebration of the Eucharist. 

I have been advised not to venture out into the city, so I enjoyed a quiet day of rest here at the 4-story building that houses the SVDs.  Today in the dining room I have seen a few ants, a mouse, & a small lizard on the wall near the ceiling.  In the garden off the dining room, with doors wide open, there are many birds in bird-cages as well as pet chickens running around freely.

Next door there is a Catholic church and school, and from the dining room all day I could hear the delightful sounds of children at play.  Which brings new to the title of this post.

We are more the same than different.  I have observed that we all yawn, smile, kiss babies, no matter what language, nationality or religion.  All children play, nuns and priests and brothers support Catholic schools.  We all are tied to our cell phones.  We all extend a friendly hello, even if only through a handshake or smile.  We were made to love.  And many of us succeed, perhaps more often than we realize.  At the risk of getting the insane Disney tune suck in your head, it is a small world after all.

That's it for now.  The bed calls.  I leave for my final destination on Saturday at 4 a.m.!

P.s.  At dinner tonight, Pater William, working in Guadelahara and home for a visit, taught me how to eat fish with the head still attached.  That is all!