Aspects from life

It is heavy raining this afternoon in Jakarta (look below, out of my window...moving pool water). And... I realized that I have already collected some decent number of pictures (and, also, did not post anything for a while) capturing my time in Java (only, so far), sooo...this blog will be rather a little picture gallery. I am sure, you have a better (aka speedy) connection than I do and therefore, seeing my pics should not be a problem, right?

I did not show you my cool and cozy crib, yet, too. Here are pictures of two important spots - my bed and a rattan chair (so, Indonesian) - spots that I am mostly writing my blog from.

Several pictures documenting transportation - streets, so common motorcycles (some of them almost flying), favorite cab from service called Blue Bird, small and noisy personal bajaj, example of a bus station and, of course, also an example of Mr. Cop. But, you would not have to worry about getting any ticket here - seems to me that THEY do not care. The most exciting moment for everyone is a fact that there is a traffic flow...movement...if not...then we (I) go crazy...as I am spending lots of my time in a car, going places accross Jakarta. Soo, there better be a movement on the streets (grrrr...I guess, that is the only thing I can really do with it...grrrr...).

And here, below, are some pictures related to facilities located in my 'hood. Family BB Pet Shop, placed right next to a delicious Hot Dog joint. (Hmm...one need to really wonder; but I can't seem to find anywhere on this popular joint a code B1 which in Indonesia means "we are eating dogs here"..hot or cold, up to you).

And these below are documenting some store-buildings in post-modern style (or something like that)....a restaurant and Center for chhildren and moms called Mom's and I...

Modern Chinese restaurant...

and good ol' Krispy Kreem

and one true Italian....

And this Organic below is a local version of Whole Food store - you can find pretty much everything that you do in American version, yet..if you are itching about the prices there, then here are even higher (my favorite Soy Milk costs $5-6)

Related to Addidas, it is interesting that you need to actually fly to Germany (or elsewhere in developed part of the world) to get Addidas t-shirt made in Indonesia. The local store offers only limited items - made in Bangladesh.

Down here are showed variations of many local eateries (hmmm....is that English word?) - typically, they are called warung. I am going to one of these to get my lunch when in HKI office. Usually, the food is tasty (lots of frying, here, though..)...but the environment is not always that kosher.....But, one (I) can get use to it....(I guess because the iron-like and big "dishes" that I am supposed to collect the food from reminds me my childhood....I used to take a bath in those when staying over my grandma.)

Mr. Walking-with-Food...

and Mr. Pushing-the-Food

These food carts (with beef-dumplings soup and noodles) are sooo damn commmon ...and popular....they are creating a physical and social barrier as they are occupying any spot alongside the street that could be slightly reminding - or could be used as! - a sidewalk that non-interested-in-eating-this-meetballs citizens and I could enjoy for walking...(damn).

And the best at the end....about animals. You already saw one evil version of a local cat previously, well...here they are 3 of them....evil cats street assembly. Do I really need to mention that I was feeling uncomfortably there? (I bet they would like to chew on me....or curse me to hell.)

And this creature (easily bigger than my hand - which is a little bit of a childish size, I admit) came across my way when visiting the anchient palace Borobudur (in Central Java). Now, lucky for everyone who is cheering up for me these days (and always)....cuz....if a guy would not stay near IT (warning me)....i could seriously bump in to IT and ...and....and ....that could be seriously it. The end.

Hope you enjoyed all (ALL) the pictures!

First victims

It's over!

I finished my first week of training! Yeah, it feels great. Really. And here are the first victims of mine. And I think that they actually learned something from me...and ...and...also liked me.

And I am tired now...and I am going to chill a bit ...with something coldish in my hand...by the blueish pool near by my window. Oh, oh... dolce vita.

I went to Giant

You know, I have no time to look for coupons. I live in a town house and saving for single family house...and I know when I go to...and that is why (according to a commercial running in DC area). Well, not really. I went to Giant, well, because it is here (dah) and also because it was on my way from the airport (last Saturday), and also because I am familiar with the store, already (which in all-estranged country comes handy, let me tell you). Yes, Giant is here, because it is Dutch chain of grocery stores (nope, not American) and Indonesia used to be Dutch colony. If you went to Giant in DC on Saturday afternoon, you know it is all family event; and same is here. Only, triple the amount of people doing shopping...and cars...and motorcycles. Products themselves are...hmmm...more Asian style, so to say. Lots of noodles, lots of different fruits and vegetables; not a big selection in meat (yes, I do miss pork) or salami, same in milk product section; a little bit limitted. There is a great variety in eggs, though. You can buy already pre-packed (same familiar boxes....hmmm...if there is possibly other way to pack these), or you can dig in a giant (Giant, really) box and get your own selection of eggs and put them in a..hmm... plastic bag, if you like. Giant here offers lots of non-grocery products - towels, pots and pans, some electric ware...So, I got what I needed there. I got exhausted too, before getting out and on top (store was 2 leves under)...on the street. And home in the usual traffic.

OK, this post will be about possible PROS and CONS of living in Jakarta (as I dont know the entire Indonesia, yet). It will depend on your own made-of-mind which one you will affiliate with and label one way or the other.

PROs: As I already mentioned before, ol' McDs delivers 24/7, but so does KFC and Pizza Hut (but these fine cuisine spots only 10/7). I have been in KFC only once in my life (in DC, accompanying a friend), and I have actually never been inside Pizza Hut (what for to get in?), but even I can notice the differences between these places here in Jakarta and in DC (US). Both are way much nicer; you feel like beeing inside a real Italian restaurant when entering Pizza H. and want to sit down and enjoy whatever they bring you on the table. I think, it will be my dinner spot one night (you know, just to get the experience...not sure with KFC, though). Furthermore, McDs has also a fancy McCafe spot. Yup, coffee from McDs is not only hot here, it is also tasty (hmmm..not exactly clear to me why the country of its origin gets only some naughty looking version of McDs). Who actually delivers as well is the famous liquer store in Kemang - Coswell (VIN+)! Now, that is a great business deal here. This place would be sooo popular elsewhere, both in DC and Prague. Coswell besides being a liquer spot also functioning as a deli of NY style. Tasty place. Well, this is a way how to make folks employed in high-unemployment rate country, let them deliver; and also how to make good money ...so, I hope, these delivery guys get pay a bit decently (right, most likely not). You know, we tend to think in bad terms about McDs expanding aggressively all over the world, but...McDs can get easily lost in street life here, in developing Indonesia. There is such a variety of local warungs and street carts, every step and breath you take...there is one. McDs just create one out of the zillion eating options here (and it even serves chicken and rise here together with FFs); if they only apply decent HR politics - the company is rich enough to pay decent salary and health care which would still be a bergain in countries like this. Well, there is one real small positive in this business - McDs is open to hiring deaf people here, usually... for cleaning job.

Clearly established PRO is the weather here - eternal summer. It is a bit humid, yes, but you can deal with it if you dont have to walk daily. White people here, if I will put it this way, practically never walk; they tend to have cars and/or drivers. Local folks might drive - car or motorbike (better situation), or not - taking a bus is rather CON (crowded, smelly, no AC).

Indonesia is a service society - I do not have to care about my trash, clothes and cleaning. All is managed by my landlord (or house-keeper). I just place the trash or clothes behind my doors and he will take care of it. When I get back home, trash is gone and my clothes are washed and even ironed. (When it happened for the first time back in Jogja, I got a bit emotional or overwhelmed by seeing my shirts ironed - for the first time ever! They looked soo cute). Now, one get easily use to this service, this is the scary part - not sure how easily I will get back to the routine in DC, one day.

As the infrastracture is not of high maintanance (delivered by government), the private buildings create a pleasure for your eyes. There is so many of great and architectonically interesting buildings (of course, with opulence of the opposite), one can be easily astonished and pleasantly surprised. Well, I hope that you see what I see.

The most important PRO for me is my way to work. Somewhat clean, lots of green plants, not very long and NO annoying traffic. I can say that I can really enjoy it - if I don't peek at drainage and if not before-the-rain moment (you need to read CONs to fully understand).

CONs: If you don't like to walk - this is the country to be. You really don't need to...and mostly, you dont want to (there is abundance of cabs, which would fell into PROs rubric). One starts to appreciate common infrastructure of developed world - such as sidewalks and trash bins. Sidewalks are mostly non-existent here. If there is, by some mistake, a sign of sidewalk it is usually taken by all present food carts or some carts with whatever that they have for sell (mostly, phone cards, drinks, cigarettes). Sidewalks are usually created by covering drainages; saying that and previous, drainages, then, are mostly not covered in Jakarta. Oh yeah, not covered. You can smell these badly, especially in the afternoon before rain. And usually, you dont need to be very lucky to see these long-tailed creatures running in and out of them. (Should I label them?) Now, drainage is not sewerage. I expect that you can distinct these two (open sewerage would be way much ...sheeetie...worst...and not only for yours - well, mine - nostrils). These drainages would not have to be neccessary that challenging if folks would not use it as public trash solution (trans bins); combination of water, garbage and hot weather....hmm....tidak bagus. Well, if I summarize aforementioned, you are better off not to be walking here, even if it means you will be dealing with almost unbearable traffic. Streeets are pretty tight in Jakarta (commonly, two ways only - one there, one back) and no where to expand for increasing number of cars and motorcycles. Sometimes, I am so scared that the driver will have to dump us into drainage because of meeting three motorcycles, one car and one walking street-cleaner dude, I am covering my eyes and..screaming, really. (I am sorry, and I know this does not help the situation a lot). I have nothing than endless endless admiration for my - HKI - drivers. I would have to quit ....hmmm...before I even starting (as I would be covering my eyes and screaming all the time...); and I did not even mention yet (today, that is) that they are driving on left which is only final nutty topping on this jam cake.

Now, do I need to cite here mosquitos? They are here, and they are difinitely bothering me, or better, if I may, sucking me. I do put anti-mosquito lotion on myself every day, repeatedly; yet, these suckers are ...well, natural suckers; they always discover my uncovered skin-spot. It is sort of safe here in Jakarta, no need to worry about malaria, at least; yes, it is only annoying. I am lucky to have an AC in my place and I try to keep the room temperature low enough so to be un-attractive for the bugs (well, this is my sound theory of general all-suckers house protection); I also purchased a little odor-producing device that should keep the skin annoyers out of my home (the odor is not irritating to me, thanks all-mighty). My place also came with more traditional anit-bugs protection - this fly-bug-flapper which was thoughtfully placed by my bed. So far, so good; still blood in my body.

Talking about animals, cats look like predators here. They tend to be very skinny (not sure why, cuz....you know...plenty of tailed features to chew on) and always...hmmm...ready-like to attack. I am veeeery cautios when passing them by. (Maybe they are even scared themselves, as "the other" animals are almost bigger than the cats, well fed from drainages...eeewww.) And not a big fan of them, once again and even more. Well, look for yourself - scary creature, isnt it?

What else??? That's for now....I will have more to discuss later on, I bet.

In Jogja, Central Java

You know, I am already back in Jakarta again, but I still need to write about my time spent in Jogja (Yogyakarta) in Central Java. So, ...here we go.

I left for Jogja in Central Java (on Tuesday, March 18) early morning, with the safest national air company - Garuda. I made it, and landed in Jogja shortly after 7am (the very same day!). Flight was smooth, and a driver from my language school was already waiting for me. And no matter I have no breakfast, yet still having and going through my 12 hours jet lag, I had to meet my principal and my teachers and sit down in a classroom - for 6 goddamn hours!- to learn "bahasa Indonesia"! Yes, the official language in Indonesia is Indonesian. Not the bahasa, as many "reliable" sources are informing you (even I got confused). And that 6 hours were what was happening for next two weeks, daily, from 8am until 3pm - in Realia (name of the school). Daily portion of intense, 1-on-1, language learning. Thanks, Realia, I had a lunch break. Hmm....just wish someone would do this for me with English, ever, before. So, based on what I said, when I finished my classes in the afternoon I was just exhausted, ready for a bed. Lucky for me, nothing much was going on in Jogja, Central Java; even though, this city used to be a capitol point of the country. And most (if not all) of USAID and embassies' reps come here for language training. Who would expect that teaching Indonesian would be such a big deal?!

About my housing situation here, it was so called "home stay"; my hosting organization picked this setting for me (over a hotel stay) because they assumed if I will stay with someone local I will pick up the language faster. You know, practicing live language, in real life. I had a room (with the only living AC in the house) with a bathroom in a family-like house accross from the Realia, very modest setting; I shared kitchen and living room with others (if there would be such....). Well, when I came "home" the first day I just went directly to the bed...and arose next day in the morning, pretty much. I was happy to made it for my class @ 815 am sharp. I am not sure what was going on much, I believe, I learned something actually. I learned that I will be the only student for a while, and that I will have 6 hours of bahasa no matter what and that I will have only one field trip, in my two weeks. Yahooo! Most of my teachers were English students from local universities (1 of the 48!), working on their thesis (whatever that meant); they were around age of 25. They liked to practise their English, during my official "bahasa" hours, which I actually did not mind. Yes, I learned, but ...not everthing. After all, I was there just for two weeks. I appreciated that I learned about Indonesian culture and people (at least, in Central Java).

My home stay set up was very modest (as I already mentioned). I stayed in a house which belongs to Realia and my house "mom and dad" was a young couple (average 25); she was an English teacher in a private elementary and he was a director of photography (that's what his business card said). They both were actually very sweet and open-minded. It took a while before a I actually met her, her name was Laras, due to our different 'waking-up hours' (school in Indonesia starts @ 7am!!!, I mean s-e-v-e-n in the morning!) and also because of a long weekend and holiday (Muslim) which she spent with some relatives out of the town. My house hosts names were Laras & Maman (or Maman & Laras - whichever sounds less familiar to you).

So, I was in my own exhausted world, so to say, when I went out shopping on Wednesday late afternoon (after class, second day), paying attention to busy streets (which were not actually that busy as in Jakarta); I shoud say I was really food hunting more than anything else. I was kind of hungry, after torturing my brain with a new language in a 12-hour-difference set up. And yet, even though, there was a plenty of cooking happening on the street, I did not dare to buy it. I went to a western-like store named Parsley which was recommended be all the teaching faculty in Realia, in about 1 km distance from my stay. Hey, if I would not feel responsible for picking up on some new vocab (in name of HKI and all deaf children in Indonesia), I would buy a dinner at the first cart-dinner I met on the street. BBQ squirells (without a fur, of course) sounded just OK for me. But, I have some responsibilities on my shoulders, and therefore, I made it to Parsley store and get some sandwiche-like products (e.i., teriyaki chicken sandwiche). I was soooo happy to made it back home in a humid hot evening, after exhausting bahasa coaching, throughout narrow Jogja streets; so far away from ...from DC....and the Czech Rep. So, I came "home", tired as much as possible....faaar from anyone and everything that I was living with or through, in past 5 years, and found out that there is American Idol on TV! The American Idol! Season 7th. I was shocked. Shocked, pleasantly, though. (You know, you won't find this detail at Disability & Development issue, not even in the most recent one.) Well, what can I say, probably something what Paula A. says - this is the most talented season ever ...and I would hate to miss it. Even though, Indonesian version is one day behind the US (when actully almost the all day and everything is ahead, right?). Wednesday is actually the performance day, then Thursday is the "kicking out" day; but hey...it is all alright, alright. Thanks for globalization, and Indonesia having enough money from oil sale to pay for the "AI" licence. Well, well, well....develompmental job feels all of the sudden better. And my house hosts are Maman & Laras. Could I wish for more?

I probably could, but ....I am OK. Here is the picture that was posted on my toilette, and here is my bathroom. Modest, yet, I had a warm water running through my shower hose ...which is not common at all in Indonesia! Folks are using a cold water, splashing themselves with a water-bucket when they come back home from their little rice field. Simple life. The enrichment in "my house" was also represented by several geicos running throughout our kitchen (I was even able to capture a unique shot of cockoo and geico - cockoo came from the wall-clock house), plenty of antz.z..and other creatures (not sure of all their names). But, as the M & L said, nothing new here, in Indonesia (wonder if they have any common car insurance here...with dancing ...geico?). Cats are very very skinny here, looking so predatory-like, and even chicken, I am almost scared of them. Our near by cat was whining ....whining ....and whining...like if nobody was feading her. And no one actually was, as we all assumed that she/he will do her/his business with some rats....(But, she/he was really one that was about to be...hmmm... *illed. Whiner.). Geeee....certain animals in developing countries...these should not exist, rather.

In two weeks, I had a rice for lunch every day (lunch was provide by Realia). And noodles for diner, almost. Exception happened on Saturday when I went to visit Prambanan and then Malioboro. Prambanan is one of the central attraction in Central Java, Hindu monument celebrating Shiva. Malioboro is a main street in Jogja downtown, surrounding the Sultan Palace. Yes, Jogja district, even though part of Indonesia, has its own Sultan and governemnt ruling. From Prambanan to Malioboro we, me and my teacher-friend, took a new bus service of TransJogja company (with AC and fresh lemon scent); good for me - it just started to run this month. Maliobory was crowded. Crowded...with more millions of people because of holiday. Really, millions. You did not have a moment when someone would not push you....kick you...or both. People were coming here to pick up famous Indonesian batik, batik...batik...and maybe something else. I was not able to pick anything, as all these people were really distracting me. Next time. I came home barely walking, aftger having a chicken schnitzel with FF in a famous student-date diner. Really not that bad. Chicken schnitzel in Jogja, Central Java.

My language acquisition went OK, I think. And at the end of the 1st week I got a companion. Dude who will work for New Zealand emabassy. He was pleasant but rather not talkative guy, staying in a nearby hotel. We made connection, we had lunches together..for about 10 days? He will stay in Jogja for whole two monthes! And maybe we will see each other in Jakarta...later on, it two months...in 10 mill. population Jakarta. I guess, in New Zealand embassy? Or rather in Czech one? Before me there was an anthropologist from Standford, and local CEO for Red Cross.....I guess, not bad here, huh? And then...ME. No one from the Czech Rep as far as they all can remember. Bagus!

What else? Oh...I learned some language. Bahasa Indonesia does not seem to be that complicated ...as English or Czech. No conjugation, no declination, no irregular verbs! And plural? You just repeat the word ...anak-anak means children (and then, child is...?) Bahasa just needs to be practiced, as any ohter language...which did not happen much for me....as we spoke English in my house. Only "bahasa" I had a chance to practice when I went shopping to local stores....especially, buying fruites. I became famous while buying tiga bananas and satu 'nanas. I bet you got this, right?! Cool. (Tiga = 3; satu = 1).

In two weeks, of language schooling, I was entitled to 1 field trip. In middle of the second week, I went to admire other attraction of Central Java - Borobudur. The biggest Budhist palace in the world. Amazing place! ! 10 levels of stone statues and stories carved in the stone - basically, about a little Budha. His story. When I climbed on the top, I was all awakened - from the heat and humidity. Uffff...But it was really a great moment to be on the top...looking down...on the jungle and mountains surrounding the monument.

I survived two weeks, I learned...and probably could learn more, but...I was living my situation. And watching American Idol and discussing matters with my host family. With my broken "bahasa" we would not be able to talk about women emancipation in Indonesia, trash not-recycling or gay-lesbian agenda in Indonesia. Even though, my hosts were rather conservative Muslims...hmmmm... even though, I am not so sure about this 'label', after all. Laras was wearing her hajab everyday accordign to traditions and the couple was truly praying 5 times a day, did not drink alcohol and all that muslim jazz....there was not a taboo in our conversations. And I appreciated. We even talk about woman picking up her boyfriend/husband in Muslim community... what Laras's actully did - she even had a several BFs, before settling down with Maman!..in her age of 25. (She said. Good for her, I think, Maman is a great choice.) And, we even talked about how common it is for older folks (her co-workers at Muslim boarding school, that is!) to ask her about "what sexual position they are using with her husband that she is still not pregnant?!?!"...or if "Maman is experienced enough to make her pregnant?!" ...and we are talking here about a time period of 9 months after their wedding. Hmm....her co-workers (not even being her best-freinds-kind-of co-workers) are more blunt than I am! And I am not sure, if this question would belong to my own mother to ask (me). And would like to picture that kind of conversation happening behind the blackboard within the US school districts...hmmm...lets say at Christian school in Oklahoma City (or just plain public school), but...i can't. I can't. (Well....as I am not sure if thinking about a term "sexual position" is already a sin or not there,... yet).

OK, I did not have a bad time in Jogja.

Saya belajar bahasa Indonesia dan saya ada waktu bagus!
But, I was happy to pack and go back to my apt in Kemang, Jakarta.

Sampai bertemu lagi!
Nashle!
See you later!