Out my window

Here are just a few things I am seeing out of my classroom window.

There is one of our 'gardeners' trimming the hedge with a weed wacker. It is, actually, a common way of doing that around here. Earlier in the year we saw that the school had purchased a lawnmower. You should have seen how excited the staff was to see that. They were crouched around it looking at the blades- meanwhile the mower was OPERATING! Myself and the headmaster had to run out and tell them to put shoes on. Funny thing is, we really don't have any lawn around here. It was used more as a slingshot to fire rocks around the schoolyard.

Yesterday, I watched the cleaning staff remove a beehive from behind the gym. The hive was about the size of a nice Xmas turkey. Here though, one would be geared up with a mask and gloves. I've watched Billy the Exterminator- I know what sort of evil pestilance bees can rain down on people. Anyways, these bees were the most unaggressive bees I have seen. However, the fact that all the cleaning staff did was light a cigarette and blow it on the the hive made me a little nervous. I am sure he come out unscathed. I little buzzed from smoking five cigarettes in 10 minutes, but he didn't get stung.

The men behind our apartment have been making great progress on the house behind us. It is interesting to think that these guys actually LIVE in the house as they build it. They have a campfire in what looks to be the garage. They hang their laundry up along the front. We see them walk around in towels after a shower. It funny to see them work as long as possible during a thunderstorm. Truly, unless the lightning hits the building, they will continue to work. Who needs safety? Just get the job done! If only we all thought that way.

Marni and I went to the St. Andrew's Society ball the other night. Common joke: If you want to see what a man wears under his kilt you'd better shine your shoes. It could be possible, though, to get them drunk enough that you might learn, too. We did eat the Haggis. And, it was quite tasty.

At the ball, we did learn the "Traditional Canadian Barn Dance". Everyone thought Marni and I knew it. I didn't know we had one. But, apparently the people from Ontario knew that one- Friggan Liberals!

Gold

This coming Friday is Lasmi's birthday. Lasmi is the youngest of our two nannies. She will turn 19. According to the lady on staff who is in charge of our staff, she left her town (about a 12 hr drive from here) when she was 16 to start working as a nanny. It is tough to imagine a 16 year old who works upwards of 12 hours per day, 6 days per week for a measly $150 per month. But, that puts her in a 'high end' wage earner bracket.

When asking around for what we should get the nanny the Indonesian staff tells us not to get anything for her. Really, they feel that they are not worthy to enjoy such luxuries. But, there is no convincing Zoe that there will be no birthday gift. Then, in speaking to another Indonesian staff member, she mentioned that many Indonesians by gold when they can. Reason being, they don't go to banks so buying gold jewelry is a way for them to invest. Later, if they need money, they can sell it.

So, off Marni and I went to look for some jewelry for Lasmi. Something we learned today- gold is listed in stores by the weight, not necessarily the price. We saw some gold medallions for sale in a jewelry store (5g, 10g, 25g). Right now, the price of gold is about 325 000 Rp per gram. Try finding some one gram earrings- good luck! Unfortunately for Lasmi, no gold, this year. Apparently, though, there is a market nearby where you can by gold by the gram. I am sure we will find out the 'Bule' price is quite high.

Sacrificial Goats

Marni, the kids and I went to a beach town of Pelabuhan Ruta. It reminded us of going to any other mountain town back home. There were little huts, stores and then a little town site and a few hotels. However, instead of huge hotels lining the beach, there were disheveled mom and pop restaurants and kiosks selling snacks and telephones.

One thing that caught our eyes was the pride people have in their property. Of course, we all have it. But, when you see what a house can look like here, you would think to yourself that these people are obviously just happy to have a roof over their head. Many of the houses are made of woven bamboo walls, some have thatched roofs. Often, the roofs are made of corrugated tin. But, as we were driving through some small towns I saw people painting or gardening and I thought "How interesting that they do still enjoy what they have." Back home, we might enjoy what we have but we all secretly want a little more. Or are envious of those that have more. I am sure they are envious, too. But, they seem a lot more content with their place in the world. That is good considering that there will be more space at the top for me!

Another image that struck us was the goats lining the streets. Everywhere we looked there were three or four goats just hanging around. Sadly, come Wednesday, there will be a few less goats. There is another Muslim holiday where the tradition is to sacrifice a goat and eat it. What brutes! What Archaic traditions! Who could ever imagine a holiday where a helpless animal is fattened up only to be sacrificed, hollowed out and stuffed with other food in order for humans to satisfy themselves? ......and then watch a football game?........and put a rock in their living room? No wonder 98% of Americans shown on Fox news (and 100% of goats) don't like Muslims!!

We were also privy to a number of 'make work' projects for the locals. Definitely, with western economies in the tank our governments can take a few ideas with them. For example:

When part of the road is washed out, instead of fixing the road, a few locals get together to direct traffic across the one lane of the road. Meanwhile, they hold out a collection box to take donations for their service.

Makeshift "toll" roads are erected in random spots along the mountain roads. But really, they are so non-aggressive that you can pass through unscathed.

The lifeguard on the swimming beach also moonlights as parking patrol. There was a large field for parking and about two cars. But, for 20 cents, he will help you back out. I do think that if you don't pay him a small child will "accidentally" be found under your vehicle. Meanwhile, there were 500 people swimming in the water.

Children with umbrellas running around parking lots just hoping it rains so they can cover you as you get out of your car. We would have about two or three of them racing to the car to save us. Fortunately, being an ignorant white person gives me license to not tip Plus, I don't know how much. I did give $5 to the lady who picked up Marni's shoes.


Some other events of the weekend:

Marni left her runners laying in a parking lot. Thank goodness they are so big that when we returned we found two local children playing in one of them.

There was, what seemed to be a local "Corporate challenge". Whoda thunk that Indonesian's can play beach volleyball? There were dancing competitions- a dance similar to the "Electric Slide" line dance was done.

Cows on the beach. Real cows, not fat ladies. Possibly just as funny but less awkward.

We saw an Indonesian Midget. Quite cute.

Don't wear life jackets in the ocean. Good words from the local (french-speaking) surfer guide, Dude.

Blasts from the past

Some things we notice as we walk around Jakarta, especially in the malls.

Bata Shoes- I remember my sister worked at Bata in 1985 or something like that. I don't even know if they still exist in Canada. Not that we could shop there, anyways. Zoe's feet are now the same size as the nannies.

Fido Dido- Remember the skinny stick person from the 7-Up commercials in the 90's. Marni mentioned that Kyle was crazy about him. Well, he is still making it over in Asia. Kind of like Micheal Jackson did. I guess, when something doesn't work, send it to Asia and they will fall in love with it.

I have already written about the Alberta 75th anniversary logo. Haven't seen another one, though.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers- Yup, they still exist. Just the females are not near as hot as they were when I was 12.

Crocs- not that old but are probably the most common shoes here. I know what your secretly saying to yourself "But, I love crocs!". But, that is because you are a mental patient. We had a parent, very wealthy, with what must have been a $10 000 Rolex dripping with diamonds on her wrist, diamonds in her ears with more Karats then Bugs Bunny and a $30 pair of crocs. I know it makes me gay, but I notice things like that. Thanks Kathleen!


Some other things going on recently:

We were able to score tickets to the Marine Corps 235th birthday bash. Formal attire and freely poured, free booze. What a great night. Well worth the 1.5 hours in traffic. Marni was able wear her beautifully made, hand-crafted, custom fitted dress (which cost $175). She looked great and was able to win a bet with other ladies at our table by getting a piece of the B-day cake fed to her by an American Marine while holding Old Glory (that's the flag for those with twisted thoughts).

I realized that wearing a Flames hockey jersey to the local "NBA" games will definitely get the people looking. Granted, if I wear an Oilers Jersey I get booed. Weird how international that is. Another teacher, here wore her Raptors jersey and none of our students had any clue who the team was. There are only five teams in any sport that are recognized here.
1) Lakers (in fact, non of my students knew who the Celtics)
2) Yankees
3) Red Sox
4) Manchester United
5) Real Madrid

No other sports teams exist here. But, F1 racing is nuts.

Marni had her first Bajhi ride (that's the three-wheeled half motorbike, half-car that is the local taxi). It was fun. We were ripped off or commonly known as the "White-person tax" (keep it mind that ripped off cost me $3 instead of $2). And...the motor gets so hot that your shoes will melt in the backseat.

Some of our students are getting lazier. They are now waiting for their nannies to come to the classrooms after school and carry their bags to the car. Ironically, the student most guilty of this crime is also the fattest kid in school. Whoda thunk?