As I am sitting here watching Phineas and Ferb I thought I would update y'all with some new events.
Marni and I accepted positions with a New Zealand based school here in Jakarta. So far, Marni will be teaching grade 5 and I will be teaching grade 6. Obviously my sarcasm was not conveyed well enough throughout the interview process that the Principal felt I could be respectful of young children. Then, to top it all off they want me to be a Vice-Principal. Apparently, times are tough in New Zealand.
I went to see Iron Maiden last night. A couple things stand out. First, being a Bule and a non-Muslim is beautiful. There are no line-ups for the beer tent and I am taller then everyone else so I had a great view. I saw a guy that must have been 6'8" and he was the luckiest bastard in the place. Secondly, seeing guys absolutely rock out to some amazing songs is awesome. However, when you think of my father in spandex playing the drums the experience gets a little underwhelming.
I started going to the local gym. I figured for the $7 per month a guy could afford to get into some shape. It is quite the experience to see these strange, machines of malice that I have no idea about what body part they work out. Then, with all of the cheap labour you would think they could organize the weights. They are laying all over the floor and are a mix of Kg and lbs. You have to pick up a variety of dumbells in order to find a good weight.
Marni and I have been enjoying the 'Ojeks'. Those are the scooter-taxis around Jakarta. For a dollar we can get wherever we want in the area. Funny, though- the drivers always slow down around their friends when Marni is on the back. They are showing off their Bule passenger.
The students have been having their eyes glued to the canals around the streets because during the rain if they overflow, they all get to go home. It is sort of like a snow day back home. Apparently too, when they overflow you see fish swimming through the streets. We found a crab on campus and the most plausible explanation is that it crawled from the canal into the school.
I saw a guy walking around the area wearing, of all things- a Maple Leafs hat! Sadly, even he hanged is head in shame when I asked him how he felt about the Phaneuf trade.
Anyway, things are still going on. Life is just "normal" around here- if anything is normal, here.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Aaargh...the waiting
I know you must be checking daily to see if there is another fabulous, poignant entry into my blog. But, alas, life around here is simply normal. Normal?
If normal is seeing a family of five with only one set of teeth between them, then life is normal.
If normal is people trying to rip me off after I ask them any question, then life is normal. While Marni and I were in Lombok (the Island next to Bali which I would highly recommend) I was offered a taxi ride to the airport. When I asked the driver 'How much?', his answer was Rp 70 000. I told him it was only Rp 57 000 to get to the hotel from the airport. "Okay" he says, "I'll do it for that much." Turns out, it was actually only a Rp. 40 000 ride with the meter on. Bastards!!
However, it is nice becoming familiar with the local costs of things. When arriving in Jakarta I now know it is only a $12 cab ride from the airport to the school. The local cabbies will offer you a ride for $20.
It is amazing how protective of money you do get simply out of principle. I took an Ojek (scooter taxi) to the hospital. He charged me Rp 10 000 (about a buck). I tried to haggle him down to Rp 7000. What the hell am I thinking fighting over 30 cents? But is principle, dammit! I gave him the Rp 10 000 after he drove the wrong way down a one way road. I figured that was ballsy. Yes, Mom, I was wearing a helmet. I am sure I have lice, now.
If normal is teaching a class of three on a regular basis, then life is normal. We had to combine two grades together for gym class so the teacher could actually play a game of 4-on-4 basketball.
Anyway, I thought I would give you all a little sample of our life, here. People keep asking if I am getting homesick. The answer is no. I think I talk to many of you more then I did before. Of course, my daily dose of Kathleen keeps me going.
Love (or at least a strong like) to all.
If normal is seeing a family of five with only one set of teeth between them, then life is normal.
If normal is people trying to rip me off after I ask them any question, then life is normal. While Marni and I were in Lombok (the Island next to Bali which I would highly recommend) I was offered a taxi ride to the airport. When I asked the driver 'How much?', his answer was Rp 70 000. I told him it was only Rp 57 000 to get to the hotel from the airport. "Okay" he says, "I'll do it for that much." Turns out, it was actually only a Rp. 40 000 ride with the meter on. Bastards!!
However, it is nice becoming familiar with the local costs of things. When arriving in Jakarta I now know it is only a $12 cab ride from the airport to the school. The local cabbies will offer you a ride for $20.
It is amazing how protective of money you do get simply out of principle. I took an Ojek (scooter taxi) to the hospital. He charged me Rp 10 000 (about a buck). I tried to haggle him down to Rp 7000. What the hell am I thinking fighting over 30 cents? But is principle, dammit! I gave him the Rp 10 000 after he drove the wrong way down a one way road. I figured that was ballsy. Yes, Mom, I was wearing a helmet. I am sure I have lice, now.
If normal is teaching a class of three on a regular basis, then life is normal. We had to combine two grades together for gym class so the teacher could actually play a game of 4-on-4 basketball.
Anyway, I thought I would give you all a little sample of our life, here. People keep asking if I am getting homesick. The answer is no. I think I talk to many of you more then I did before. Of course, my daily dose of Kathleen keeps me going.
Love (or at least a strong like) to all.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)