Lebaran

Tonight I fixed a cup of cappuccino, applied a good amount of mosquito repellent and headed for the veranda to experience something that no camera, or video can accurately describe...

Come with me to 30th of August, 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia.  A country of over 17,000 islands where tonight Muslims all over are celebrating the end of fasting... Lebaran.  It gets dark early here, the streets are lined with Indonesia's Red and White flags, and my neighbors have began their feasting.  Fireworks started going off around 6pm, sounding like the 4th of July at home.  But something is different in the air here... something that makes this celebration different from the US.  The fireworks here are going off with shouts of acclamation and with the Adhan, the Muslim's call to prayer, as its background music.  The city of Jakarta comes alive at night, but on this night - more so than any other night.

So, tonight, with no camera in hand - I sit and listen, watch, and appreciate a culture, totally different than my own, celebrate the beliefs they hold so dear.  Tonight, they celebrate Lebaran! 

Well, those of you who know me well, know me well enough to know that I can't just sit by and watch anything happen... and not be a part of it. So....

After enjoying 1/2 cup of my cappuccino and not being satisfied with my experience (not feeling the full effects), I got up, put on my capris, OSU t-shirt, and my Chung Shi tennis shoes and ventured out to see how my neighborhood celebrated Lebaran.

Meena and I walk often at night and we see people out and about, but tonight, this night, the streets were full.  Filled with people of all ages.... children of all ages, shooting fireworks in the street, neighbors out visiting and laughing with each other, other people just sitting to the side to enjoy the night.

I walked past the market and found they had built a bon fire right on the street. (Try that in Oklahoma) The sounds of Adhan were getting louder as I approached the mosque.  The street was filled in front of the mosque.  Cars, motorcycles, and bicycles lined the street, as well as people.  The Muslims were inside giving their daily prayers while others crowded in the doorway, sidewalk, and street.  There was a certain feeling in the air tonight.  Even though this was a Muslim celebration, I couldn't help but feel the presence of my Lord walking with me... experiencing with me.... opening my eyes to my temporary home.  The sky was beautiful, the people were beautiful, the fireworks were beautiful, exciting, and calming at the same time.

I walked past a large home on my journey around the neighborhood.  There was an older man sitting by the entrance.  He was holding sparklers and talking to a couple of the children who were outside with him.  From the number of child sized flip flops sitting by the door, I expected several children to come running from the house at any moment answering his calls into the house.

I did some visiting, myself, on this night.  My fellow teacher, Jo, lives several blocks away.  I called out to her as I was walking by her house.  She invited me inside, but I declined.  I was hot, sweaty, and was wearing my tennis shoes, making it too hard to take my shoes off before entering her home.  So, we stood outside and talked about the night and our upcoming luncheon invitation to Ms. Meera's home on Thursday.  Finally, I wished her well and continued on my journey back home.

Aside from the meager accommodations (comparing to my home in the USA),  the smells in the air, the language barrier.... I like Jakarta! And I hope, through my blogs, you will come to like Jakarta, too!

That's all for now, till we meet again....

Singapore.... Here we come!

On August 8th, a colleague (Ed) and I had to take a trip to Singapore to work on our visas.... so, why not go on Saturday the 6th, stay the weekend, and have some fun!  The school sent us on Lion Air.  The flight there was fairly uneventful; however, I did end up playing 'mother' to a young man who was flying from Jakarta to Singapore to see his girlfriend who was attending the University there.  The young man sitting on my left was well dressed - nice clean pressed white shirt, tie, and black slacks.  He told me about  how he hasn't seen her in a while and that he attempts to get a job there during each visit. (He can't live there without a work visa)  He was excited to see her and felt that the flight couldn't have ended too quickly.  Just before we landed he noticed a small stain on his shirt.  He tried to get it out with no avail.  So, Mother Charlotte to the rescue.  I told him that I had a 'wet wipe' in my back (stored in the overhead) and I would get one for him when we landed.  He was very appreciative and waiting patiently when the plane came to a stop.  The smile on his face when I handed him the wet wipe and the bigger smile he gave me when it took the stain out was worth everything to me at that moment.  Yet another reminder that we are placed in certain places and in certain seats because God put us there.  For me, on that day, I was put there to put a smile a smile on a young man's face and ease his mind.  Sometimes, it's the little things in life that matter the most!

Once we alighted (as Edwardo likes to say it) we entered a 'little city' within the airport.  I bet I could have spent a week just in the airport and Still not experienced everything.  Wow!  Shopping, eating, drinking, pampering, sleeping - you name it, it's there.

Tons of people at the airport.... everywhere you look.

Emigration was full, so we stopped at a free Internet booth and checked our emails… and FB, of course!  After letting our loved ones know we landed safely, we sailed through emigration and off to the air train… which took us to the MRT.

MRT is the subway system…. Pretty cool – Fly all the way to Singapore for my first time on a subway!  It was clean and the people were very polite.  The MRT took us to a mall where we had a little fun. 

My first subway ride!  Very clean, fresh air..... good experience!

We alighted at one of the malls.... where I found this -

So this must be how every well dressed Singaporean man should look like….

Kites – anyone? J

Then to a mall that Ed was familiar with to eat lunch….. I'm Hungry!!!!

…my first meal in Singapore.  Not sure what it was called, but it was delicious.

… Ed just wanted RICE! LOL

We walked a LONG way trying to find a hostel that Ed stayed in the last time he was in Singapore.  Not finding it, we looked at one that was close by.  It was Really bad.  I would have been fearful to even touch the bed!  So, I suggested that we head for Chinatown and see what we could find there. 

Reaching Chinatown,  we found several very clean hostels that were reasonably priced.  The only problem was that they were all full.  There was no room at the Inn. Ha ha.   So, we kept looking and found some interesting things along the way....

Street Mime

Man working on his bike...

Man reading in the park.... don't find that at home. :)

This picture speaks volumes about the Asian culture.... Love it!

And the architecture is Beautiful!  Everywhere you look...

There was one that had space for us.  It had once been a hotel, so everything was new due to the recent conversion…. Making me very happy!  All the walking and sun made us very tired and sleepy, so we rested and took showers before dinner.

But before dinner, we strolled down to the pier to take a look at the Merlion.... and a few other things along the way -

I am told that this is a casino.... next trip, I am going up!  Well, ya know I will. :)

 

The Merlion... I understand there is a larger one on Sentosa Island.

Chinatown.... shopping anyone?

We ate in Chinatown, but I wasn’t too happy.  The quality didn’t fit the price paid.  Note: not there again.

We took a short look around Chinatown before retiring to our rooms for a good nights rest.

The hostel was pretty nice.  It was set up like dorm rooms…. Women in one section – men in another section.   I had a bathroom in my room, but most hostels aren’t set up that way.   Most are communal.  I thought I took pictures, but I guess not….. I will do so on my next trip.

That's all for now, till we meet again....

Independence Day.... Indonesian style!

Ichthus school knows how to celebrate Indonesia's Independence Day with style and flare!  I have learned so much from this country and from my friends living here with me.  Indonesia is a very proud country and through this celebration and the children's projects, I have learned a few things about this wonderful country.  Let me share a few of them with you....

Indonesia is an archipelagic country of 17,508 islands (6,000 inhabited) stretching along the equator in South East Asia.  The country's strategic sea-lane position fostered inter-island and international trade; trade has since fundamentally shaped Indonesian history. The area of Indonesia is populated by peoples of various migrations, creating a diversity of cultures, ethnicities, and languages. The archipelago's landforms and climate significantly influenced agriculture and trade, and the formation of states. 

I also was surprised to find out that Indonesia is only 66 years young.... They were enslaved and exploited by the Dutch and Britain till 1946.   However, human trafficing continues today.

Back to the Ichthus Celebration:

We all gathered in the Assembly room.  The kids are split into 'houses'... House of Matthew, House of Mark, House of Luke, and House of John.  My group is the House of Matthew.  We all dressed in red shirts and white pants.  The houses all marched out onto the soccer field according to their houses....

Teachers from the House of Matthew are getting the kids lined up....

We are ready  to start our presentation for the parents.... the kids worked really hard to make this celebration Spectacular and fun for them and the parents....

Mrs. Meera and Mrs. Charo (Secondary and Elementary Principals) are making sure that everyone is in their place before the ceremony begins.

Raising of the flag.... the secondary students.  They took great pride in their responsibility and did a fantastic job!

After the raising of the flag Jing Jeng, our music teacher, led the children in the singing of “Indonesia Raya”.  The children singing this song in Bahasa Indonesian was one of the sweetest sounds on earth. 

The secondary made some presentations…. Among them, ‘Cry Freedom’ by David Keig…

Cry Freedom
Cry freedom
With a quiet voice
Cry freedom
And rejoice.

Cry freedom
See the purest light
Cry freedom
With fresh sight.

Cry freedom
With a gentle will
Cry freedom
And be still.

Cry freedom
Till your heart does ache
Cry freedom
And awake.

Cry freedom
With a quiet voice
Cry freedom
And rejoice.
-David Keig

Cyril and Trena did a great job announcing each portion of the celebration festivities…

The House of Matthew was the first house to be announced…. They did a great job with their ‘chant’ – House of Matthew, we are the best. You can’t do anything but rest!  M-A-T-T-H-E-W , We love Matthew, so should you!

This is Edwardo (one of the many here LOL) looking very handsome, as usual.   I think you have met him in a previous blog.  He is a good friend and is ready go when I call….. where ever that might be.  Thanks Eddie!

Some of the parents who came to watch….. and participate!

The first game of the day was the teachers vs the parents… in a balloon race.  We had to SIT on the balloon and break it then relay back to our team for the next one to go…. First team finished is the winner. You know how it’s played right?  Simple enough .......

Teachers... ready to start - Anri, you look a  little too anxious!  Maybe you should have been one of the first to go -

Good job Kristyo..... We can do it!!!!!!

The Winning Team! Congrats parents, nice job!  We will get you next year! J

Secondary students…. They left the primary area after the presentations and had their own celebratory games on the basketball court.

Me and some of my colleagues having fun in the sun!

I think the kids are ready to play..... Let's take a look at what fun they had -

First up is the sack race.... 10 students from each house race to see who is the best house.  Echo, the PE teacher is showing the kids how it is done.  Do you think any of them are paying attention?  ....

... and they are off! Yep, I think they know how it's done!

The rest of the day was filled with several kinds of relay races… sack races, ‘ski’ races, banana eating, puzzle races, etc.  It was a very fun day!

I didn’t get everything because my battery ran down. L Sad, but true.  I should have brought my canon…. Next time.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY INDONESIA!!!!!!

Till we meet again.....

Weekend in Jarkarta - Saturday....

A few weeks ago, I accompanied Charo, my principal and a fellow teacher to the ‘real’ market.  We started out really early Saturday morning.  Everyone had just received their pay, so needless to say, it was full. 

Oh my, I found things in there I had never seen before.  Charo, my principal bought me a delicious treat that was filled with pork, something that is not in abundance in these parts.  We then headed over to the meat section that looked like a meat market. 

 Hmmm, I guess it was.   Take your pick – chicken, beef, pork, fish, all kinds of seafood.  You tell them how you want it cut and how much you want. 

Then, we were off to the vegetables.  The freshest vegetables I’ve ever seen… amazing!  Take a look at these beautiful colors… Carrots, potatoes, greens, beets, tomatoes, limes, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, corn, garlic, chili peppers, and awww the mushrooms… I love mushrooms! 

Green beans, eggplant, cucumber…. And vegetables I’ve never seen before… some I’ve seen, but don’t remember the name of… the list goes on and on and on….

The fruit was similar in choices…. Bananas, oranges, apples, pineapple, tons of tropical fruit, and….

Coconuts!  Here, they are putting them through a machine and making coconut juice.  It was really fun watching them work… This whole isle is nothing but coconuts!

SCALLOPS!

I bought pork chops, pork on a stick (forgot the name for it), bananas, tomatoes, some kind of soy stuff that is ‘the bomb’ when cooked right, Mushrooms, tiny onions (great flavor), potatoes, two of the sweetest pineapples, green beans, and some more things that have slipped my mind at the moment… all of this for about $15!  I was in heaven…I would have bought more had I not already been to the store the day before.

We headed back home to get some rest before our evening outing for dinner and a movie; Larry Crowne with Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks.  Yes, it had subtitles… but the movie was in English – the subtitles were in Indonesian.  Didn’t bother me a bit! J

Till next time...

The Largest Primate Exhibit in the World....

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of spending the day with a fellow teacher.  Now I have traveled around Jakarta in various vehicles.... a mini taxi van, a van, our school bus (big van), a little red 'cart', a taxi car....

but never on the back of a motorcycle.... till now!  Miko, a fellow teacher was gracious enough to show me some new things in Jakarta on the back of his motorcycle!  I love excitement... and that's just what I got on this trip..... We went to the Biggest Primate Exhibit in the World and to Taman Mini (Mini Indonesia).  We began our day at about 9AM (finally, I know someone who runs later than I do).  We headed straight  for the zoo.  The sights along the way were pretty cool.  I continue to see families all piled on their motorcycle, still amazing me each time.  Once we got there, you guessed it, I needed to visit the little girls room.  Now, here in Jakarta, they won't know what you are talking about if you ask for the 'restroom', 'little girls room', or 'bathroom'.  It is simply the 'toilet'....

This particular toilet is one that I swore to NEVER use; however, when you are a long ways from home and need to pee..... you pee in what ever is available at the time, right?  Besides, I just told myself that the 'squating' was no different than squatting in the pastures when I was young.... notice there is no bidet... the bucket of water is to 'flush' with.  BUT, being the Mother that I am and being used to packing my purse for anything that I just Might need - I pulled out the Wet Ones that I bought in the States; just in case they would be needed.  Problem solved, I join Miko outside the toilet to find that he is PAYing for me to use the toilet... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????

 He explained that here in Jakarta if you need to use the toilet, then you will pay.  I think he paid her something like 1000 Rp which calculates to about 12 cents.  OK, not so bad... they can have their 12 cents.  Off to the zoo.... nothing like what you are used to seeing when you go to the zoo.  Personally, I think it's better!  Take a look and see what I mean....

There's no cement, pavement... it's not commercial... just natural in it's surroundings.. here's more...

Most of the exhibits are in small buildings... enclosures and behind glass, not like in the states.  Now, that part, I like better in the USA.  Below is a pic of the leopard exhibit.  You walk up and watch them while they spend all their time inside a glass wall.... not fun. :(

Off to search for the primates!  Where oh where can they be....

Should we go this way... or that way.... not knowing for sure, we asked a man who was sitting along one of the paths.  We finally reached our destination -

Pusat Primata Schmutzer - The Largest Primate Exhibit in the World!  Awesome!  Let's go in....

First a little photo op... say Cheese my little friend -

OK, now, we are off to the Real primates.  This exhibit is Awesome!  It is about the size of the entire Tulsa Zoo and all primates.  The gorillas have a ton of room to roam and the chimps have 'monkey island'... all the others have their own enclosures and look as if they are at least enjoying their captivity, such as it is.

This little guy sits inside a glass enclosure all day.  He has plenty of things to play with, but seems very excited and eager to communicate with all the passers by.  He was playing on his tire swing till we walked up to the window.  With great excitement, he quickly swung over to us and begged for attention.  I was all too happy to give it to him.

She was all too happy to sit for me a while and pose while I took her picture.  Then she got bored with me and decided to find something else to play with...

She made me think of and compare her to The Thinker by Auguste Rodin... ya know the one - if you ever studied Humanities, you know what I am talking about... so, am I right? LOL  Just saying.  OK, moving on.  The Orangutans and the Gorillas are in some amazingly spacious living quarters.  Open spaces, plenty of places to hide from us if they don't want to be seen... and plenty of natural trees to play in and around.

I love my Orangutans....

This little guy is being selfish.... If you notice, he has his own bottle of milk - and he has his buddy's bottle of milk.  He is on the run with the buddy not far behind.  It was a lot of fun watching all of this unfold.  There is a little cave around the corner and he goes into it, trying to hide from the other one.
He is followed, but the buddy (bigger than him) sits there and Watches him drink both bottles and doesn't do a thing to stop him... interesting.  Sometimes you don't have to be bigger to be the bully. hmmmm

I loved watching this little guy.... There were several of us up top on a walkway watching him and None of us could get his attention.  He just sat there patiently and quietly.  Somehow, I think We were the ones putting on a show for him.  I think they are smarter than many of us give them credit for.  However, if you are patient enough, you might get them to do something picture worthy....

Isn't he just Beautiful!!!!  We were on the other side from where we seen him earlier and he showed up long enough to prance around and show his stuff.... then, like most males - he was gone.

Off to the other exhibits... the more primates I saw the more I wanted to see More.... big ones, little ones, fat ones, skinny ones (OK, I am sounding a little Dr. Seussy here)  you get the point... I got a little brave and climbed up on the railing to get a better photo opp. (Yes, Mom, I did! - Somehow I know you are not surprised) Anyway.....

Hello!  This little guy come swinging over to me, out of nowhere to get a better look at me getting a better look at him. (Can you see where this is going?)  I was getting as close as I could to get a good shot of this little bitty tiny baby monkey and this one was trying to get as close to me as possible.  He lunged to the fencing, which set me back a moment.... but didn't get me off the railing.  I wanted my pic of the Baby!  Just about the time I got a good shot of the baby monkey, I was touched by the big one... WOW!  Talk about excitement.  He reached through the fencing and raked the back of my hand!  It was Awesome!  I didn't think a person could get off a railing that fast! Ha!  He and I shared a gaze, then we were off to the next exhibit.  Miko, by the way, got a big kick out of the monkey coming after me..

BTW:  Here's the itty bitty tiny baby monkey that caused all that ruckus earlier.... Definitely Worth It!!!!

Here's some more pics of..... more monkeys... Yea!!!!

This little lady was resting in the shade with her baby playing beside her... When she saw us walking up to the glass, she snatched the little guy up and carried him to us.... she was so proud of her little baby.  It was great how she kept looking to make sure we were looking at the baby... THEN, she put her hand up to the glass and I put my hand up to the glass to meet hers... She so knew what she was doing!  I loved it!  Wow!  What an amazing day!

The chimp didn't want to play on this day.... he just laid there and watched all of us.  So sad, I love Chimps!  .....

There were babies everywhere! It was a day I will cherish forever... and I was touched by a monkey!!!!!  Thank You Miko for a wonderful day.... Wait, we aren't through yet... We are now off to Taman Mini....
Till next time...