Remains of the 2nd team's raft

This is the instructor at the camp - he's floating down stream with the remains of what was once a raft. The children were either swimming, stuck in mud, or floating on one bamboo log.

We're in the water

And the race begins!

Daily life in the Jungle

The two gentlemen pasted us as we were building our rafts. The man with the empty basket stayed and watched, while the other just ambled on. The man to the left is holding a machete to cut bamboo perhaps.

Intersting dichotomy

While we were at the river, these children were playing. After the rafts were built they were fascinated and followed us down the river as the rafts raced. They didn't have any shoes, and whenever they got hot, they simply stripped and went in the water.

Which way to the water?

At Green Camp the children made rafts (as a team - there were some interesting dynamics!) and then had to race down the river. This group was finished long before the other group even got an idea. It was incredibly hard work, and I was proud of all of them. I was exhausted just watching them. Besides being muddy trekking through the jungle for 20 minutes to find the river.

Easter Bonnets- ala naturale

Designers hard at work

"Make it Work" says Tim Gunn to Tasha and Jason

Project Runway, Green Camp Style

The children were divided into teams, and they needed to create outfits made of natural materials found on the grounds of green camp. Here is Maggie modelling the "Princess Warrior" look

Agung Rai Museum of Art ARMA - Ubud

Entrance into a museum in Ubud. The owner of quite an extensive collection was actually at the museum, so Regina and I were able to talk to him. Unfortunately, I could not take any pictures in either of the buildings.

Agung Rai Museum of Art ARMA - Ubud

Regina and I escaped to the city of Ubud. Here is a museum that had a mix of western art and eastern art. Here is "Global Warming Meeting" and "Three Women Swimming. " Guess which one is me????

Compostible Toilets

At least it's an actual toilet!

My bamboo community

Everything is made of bamboo. Here is my shower, and my community deep in the jungle.

Our Journey Begins

I've been in the jungle of Bali for three LONG days, and even though there is internet connection it's rather sporadic. Today is our last day, and then we head to a hotel with indoor plumbing, no bats flying around my yurt and no snakes. It's been interesting, but I am still a city girl. This is truly the wilderness! Here is Marcel at the airport. We took 5 students on a train to Jakarta, met 4 more at the airport and then flew to Bali. It was a twelve long hours but we made it in the pitch dark. The long entrance to the camp was maybe a car width wide and at one time may have been partially paved. Chickens, motorcycles and no lights along the bumpy road......

Restaurant in Cirebon

Yesterday we went for lunch in a new restaurant in Cirebon. It had many photographs and cartoons, many of which were American. Kate, the young girl that was here when I left and will stay another year (after a much needed vacation back home for a month) said that there are actually 7 or so bules (foreigners) in Cirebon now. I loved this vase with the water plant and fish. Behind it is a water wall. I'm still in school even though others are on holiday. We leave this Saturday for Green Eco-Camp in Bali. Can't wait!

Ugh

Why didn’t I go to the gym for the past three months?!? If you ever think that a “couple of pounds” doesn’t hurt (alright, more than a couple…) just come visit Indonesia packing extra weight.

My self-esteem is officially in the gutter. I knew things didn’t bode well when the driver who picked me up from the airport only comment to the principal was that I was fat, and she wasn’t reluctant to tell me. But no, the humiliation didn’t stop there. With only three hours of sleep I went to the end of school celebration. The parents were more than happy to let me know in hand and facial gestures just how large they think I got. Extra weight knows no language barriers.

The ultimate mortification came at the traditional market. Women working the food stalls, whom I was familiar with were more than happy to comment (i.e. laugh) on my size. Regina was kind enough not to translate, however it was quite apparent what the “joke” was. Regina said, “Just smile, this is how it is in Indonesia.”

Needless to say, I’ve been working out the best I can in 100+ heat and anemic gym conditions. Just promise me, when I get back home, not to comment on my weight- even if I’ve lost a pound or two!

End of year party at a local hotel

With three hours of sleep I went to the end of year party. Once I saw the faces of the children - I was no longer tired. Until 3:00 pm that afternoon, then I slept for fifteen hours straight. Not sure if I'm quite on track since it's now 9:45 pm and I'm still awake!

Back again!

Greetings from sunny, hot Cirebon. It took 34 hours door to door and when I arrived at 3:00 a.m. the house that I'll be staying in wasn't ready. I stayed in a hotel, slept for 3 hours and then attended the school's end of the year celebration. After the celebration I went to sleep for 15 hours and now I am at school. It feels great to be back.