Things to do

due to the fact that it is hotter then blazes most days there are no green spaces around Jakarta. What people do is go to the malls. Enjoy your west Edmonton malls and Cross Iron Mills- you haven't seen anything. We are talking 5 story palaces. According to one article I read there are about 130 large malls in Jakarta. Some are filled with crappy knock-offs, others are high end Louis Vitton, Cartier, etc.

Marni went to one place downtown with the kids to one place that has a 'Mini Jakarta' where kids can become whatever they want for the day. They have little fires to put out, buildings to construct and vehicles to drive. The kids had to sit through a safety video to get 'drivers licenses'. Ironic that you can bribe the DMV here to get one anyway. I have a student whose parents will bribe them to get the son driving a year earlier.

Interesting, though, how the roles are already established. Caden was not allowed into the nursery. That was for girls, only. They were able to make their own ice-cream and pizza for lunch. Caden got pissed about having to make his own food. The nannies have been spoiling him.

On another note, Marni and I went for a dinner on the weekend to a fantastic Italian restaurant in South Jakarta. The meal was great, but even better was the fact that we could ask for a bottle of the "Featured wine" and would they leave the cork in. We were excited to be able to purchase some wine that we could bring home.

We asked the waiter why wine is so expensive but not beer. One, they don't want to piss off the Chinese (where their beer comes from). Second, they can make beer here, but not wine. I am not sure if it is a climate thing or a space thing, or maybe a Muslim thing. But, they tax the hell out of wine. In some cases, a bottle that MIGHT cost us $15-20 at home would be triple that or more.
And, don't think that you could bring us some as they will search your luggage and confiscate the bottles. But, I am sure a $5 'pay your ticket on the spot' (i.e. bribe) would get you covered.

I know you thinking "Poor Marni and Cam, they have no wine! How will they deal with their students?". We have a teacher here whose husband works for the British embassy. I guess Diplomatic Immunity has its perks. Not only could you get away with murder- you can also get wine brought in from Australia for your friends.