Amy's Indonesian Experience

Monday, 30 June 2008

Location: Bandung, Indonesia

Week 40 – Power saving across Java is still continuing, which is highly disruptive to my work. As a result I have been writing reports, working on translations and spent some time exploring and running chores around Bandung.

On Thursday and Friday Lucinda (a volunteer in Kalimantan) came to visit me during her holidays. I got to show her some of the best things about Bandung, which were a shock to her system after 6 months of living in the jungle. We went shopping, big time, both getting many bargains at the factory outlets, Malls, markets and other boutique stores. We wandered along Jalan Asia-Afrika and Jalan Braga to look at the renovated or run down colonial buildings and have coffee and cake in the European cafes. We people watched at the alun-alun (town square) and main Mosque. I took her to my local Sundanese restaurant, and then to my favourite pasta joint. We spent an afternoon on my bike riding through the mountains to visit Curug Cimahi (Cimahi waterfall) and looking at the beautiful gardens and views. We also did a bit of exercise, climbing down to the waterfall, Friday morning aerobics class at my work, walking all over Bandung and then going out to Embassy nightclub to dance.

On Saturday I went down to Jakarta to join other volunteers (Tim N, Olivia, Erin, Tam, Jacky, Nicole and Tam) at a Festival up at Ancol – a beachside suburb and theme park area in Jakarta’s North. We missed getting there for sunset as we severely underestimated how long it takes to travel around Jakarta, over 2 hours for around 20kms!! But we did get to wander around the Urban Street Festival; watching bands, graffiti artists, browsing stalls and looking at other street art. It was fun to be in a festival atmosphere with cool coastal breezes. Then we went into Seggara Bar and chilled out at a function called ‘Beats by the Bay’, sitting in the sand with beers and watching the rich Jakarta kids partying.

Yesterday I spent the whole day relaxing, watching cable TV, in the pool, DVD shopping, visiting friends and eating all the baked goodies Betty Crocker (aka Olivia) cooked. Then in the evening Erin and I went to the airport to pick up relatives; Mum, Nick and Dad are here to visit me for just over 2 weeks, which I am so excited about. We made it back to Bandung late last night and I look forward to showing them around my work and my new hometown, and exploring more of Indonesia.

This week’s Indonesian lesson is about queuing up. Basically, there are no queues. Everyone has to push and fight for themselves, but somehow it works. Get those elbows and shoulders out there when trying to push onto buses – and don’t worry about the mother with a baby or the elderly man – they will be pushier than the rest. In the bathrooms you can just walk into an open cubicle if you can get there first. When getting your fruit and vegies weighed in the supermarket you have to put your produce on the scales before someone else does. Drinks and food ordering is easier if you are the loudest or waving your arms the most. And this all goes double on the roads – squeeze your car or bike in any gap at a traffic light or toll booth. While it’s obviously extremely frustrating at times, if you adopt a relaxing attitude and are not in a rush it’s an interesting time to observe different social customs!

Tuesday, 24 June 2008

Location: Bandung, Indonesia

Week 39 – Arriving back in Jakarta, I was happy to be back into tropical climates and the mayhem that is Indonesia. I also had a relieving sense of coming home once I reached my house in Bandung.

I had to get stuck straight into work to catch up on the week I missed. The first half of the week involved preparations, and during the second half I was involved with a new training program we are holding at my work. International Standard High Schools (SBI) are becoming more popular across Indonesia, with classes taught in both Indonesian and English. I taught classes about laboratory management and safety in English and also assisted with science terminology and pronunciation. Can you imagine me in front of a class of 30+ teachers reading through the periodic table and having them repeat words after me; “Praseodymium”, “Dysprosium”, “Hafnium”, ”Seaborgium”... even I had never read these words before, so I’m not sure what help I could have been. Anyway, we are spawning new teachers with Aussie accents now! Hehe

I also spent the week scooting around town running errands in preparation for my family arriving next weekend, booking hotels, flights, cars etc. I’m excited to show off my hometown and impression of Indonesia (which is no doubt very different from my Mum’s idea of Indonesia of more than 30 years ago).

As there have been many renovations going on in the guesthouses at work (where I live), I had to get away over the weekend. Bu Tati (one of the chemistry Instructors) invited me to stay at her house at Sumedang, in the Mountains around Bandung. Even though it’s only 50kms away from Bandung, with Indonesian roads, traffic and driving it took us over 2 hours. We did stop to pick up a snack of Surabi, a strange mix of rice, flour, nuts, egg, MSG and topped with ‘pizza’ flavoured spicy mince. Strange, but still delicious, I’m always amazed by the variety of snacks available at the little travelling stalls!

In Sumedang, Bu Tati and her children Adzie and Dian showed me around the town. We also met up with another work colleague Trina and her niece Narita. We took in the alun-alun (town square), the Bupati’s (like the Mayor) Residence and Sumedang Museum, Gunung Kunci and the old Dutch caves dug into it, and then Toga Hills where we had lunch with a view over Sumedang and all the surrounding mountains then spent the afternoon swimming. To finish off the day I got to shop at the factory of a local designer and pick up some cool clothing, get some more plants from Bu Tati’s parents-in-law Pak and eat tahu Sumedang, the famous oleh-oleh of the area, and the most delicious tofu in Indonesia!

I returned to Bandung very early on Sunday morning and have been put up in a different room while my bathroom is renovated. I spent most of the day out and about in Bandung to avoid the noise of jackhammers – checking out the Sunday markets at Gasibu, having a hair spa and pedicure, shopping at the malls and re-potting my new plants.

The Indonesian lesson returns this week, and is about the roaming food carts. I heard a funny thing last week; one of the cart owners referred to his other carts as the other ‘branches’ and the guys who make the food at them as the ‘managers’. Food carts roam around the streets and kampungs (housing areas) and each have their own distinct sound, i.e. – yelling the food items, tapping on wood for soup, bell tinging etc. You can buy an amazing variety of food items from these mobile carts, some which I would not dare to try (like chickens feets which have not been refrigerated all day)!

Sunday, 15 June 2008

Location: Sydney, Australia

Week 38 - I’ve been lucky enough to spend a wonderful week back in Sydney – the flights were quick (only 5:40mins from Jakarta to Sydney!) and cheap, the time was right and it was the physical, emotional and motivational boost I needed!

Breaking from my usual over-organised self, I didn’t make many plans which meant the week was very relaxed and most enjoyable. Jam karet (rubber time) was also very kind to me and 1 week felt like 3. I was able to completely soak up being surrounded by family, good friends, the wonderful man I have fallen for Alessio, and all the usual comforts of Australia. Think clean public toilets, normal flavours of food, quiet neighbourhoods, no 4:30am wake-up calls, traffic rules, orderly queues and polite attitudes in public.

Amongst the touristy things I did were; a day trip up to the Blue Mountains with my family to see The Three Sisters and have lunch at their Buddhist Meditation Centre, a boat trip with Nick, Dad and Alessio around Sydney Harbour and shopping at Paddy’s Markets for souvenirs for all my friends back in Bandung.

I got to have a taste of some of the best parts of my old life too. I saw lots of my friends and family; dinner with Mum, Dad, Nick, Grandma and Mum’s sisters Sianna and Tienne, heading out for breakfast in Manly with Anika, Cel and Alessio, seeing the Sex & The City movie in the city with my best girlfriends who are still in Sydney – Cel, Catherine, Anika, Bethanie, Monique and Jaz, catching up with Arch before he jet sets around the world on tour with Doomfoxx, relaxing at friends houses and drinks out in Manly with the girls.

I got to do familiar things like eating Sunday eggs, bushwalking near my parent’s house, shopping at Warringah Mall, driving my car around the city and the beaches, eating ice-cream down at Manly, and sleeping in my heavenly bed.

The cold weather was a fun novelty at first, call me crazy but I even went for a swim in the harbour. But as the week goes on I am beginning to crave being back in the tropical Indonesian climate!

My love for Australia and Sydney has not diminished in the slightest after all the time I spend away. However, as I was departing from Bandung I realised that I was not yet finished in Indonesia. This was a good feeling for me, I have found a comfortable place to live at the moment even though it is worlds away from my usual life. So I am looking forward to returning to Indonesia and getting as much as I can do done in the next 3 months, be it learning the language, achievements at work, travelling, cementing friendships and enjoying the life I have built over there. And I'm definitely going back with a wonderful feeling of contentment, a happy heart and a few extra kilograms - which will make my Indonesian friends happy!

Aku beruntung sekali (I feel so lucky)!

Friday, 06 June 2008

Location: Bandung, Indonesia

Week 37 - It has been a busy week here in Bandung. Not only have I been preparing for a visit from my AYAD managers , I have been trying to get ready for my holiday home! I'm so excited to be popping back to Australia for a few reasons; seeing family and friends, a week of Winter, eating familiar foods, sleeping lots and shopping :-)

A visit from the AYAD management team; Anthony, Bharat, Nani and Bobby, meant that I had to prepare a report on the work I have been doing here at PPPPTK-IPA, looking at the objectives, successes and challenges of my assignment. The best part of the visit was that I got to become more aware of how much my presence and work here has meant to the staff. We had a group discussion and I realise that although there have certainly been frustrating times, I have managed to achieve lots in 8 months. So now I am motivated to continue positive changes during the last 4 months.

There were several reasons that I had to be well organised this week. I have been trying to get lots of work done, including preparing for some classes I will be teaching ina few weeks and trying to get ahead so that I could just relax during my week holiday in Aus. I have also been trying to think about what to take back to Sydney now - I have bought so souvenirs and clothes during my time and travels across Indonesia. I have easily packed 20kgs to take with me next week! And I have been emptying out my fridge, eating all sorts of strange combinations of foods!

This morning's aerobics class was lots of fun, I was ready with my camera to record some of the fun. I cannot help breaking out into giggles when we learn a new more complicated routine, and all my friends at work are neatly lined up dancing to ridiculous songs. Like techno versions of 'if you're happy and you know it clap your hands' or christmas carols. I particularly enjoy it when we all start cheering for no reason, everyone is so full of spirit.

So this afternoon I am flying back to Australia for a well deserved week long holiday. All my friends at work have wished me a nice holiday and are looking forward to having me back healthier and more relaxed.

The Indonesian lesson for this week is about goodbyes and sayings lost in translation. I still find it weird when Indonesians say 'I love you' or 'I miss you' when they say goodbye. I suppose when translated to English the words carry more significance for me than for those who say it. All my Indonesian friends wanted me to send their regards to my family, even though they have never met. And of course there were many requests for various types of oleh-oleh from Australia, some straight forward like T-Shirts, others more complicated, like an Aboriginal patterned jilbab!