This is my outdoor kitchen. One propane tank takes care of the one burner. I actually now know how to use a rice steamer. In the foreground is my laundry. The pink bucket under the counter is my laundry tub. Missing are my friendly geikos, and rat

A better view of the tub

This is my bathroom. To the left of the toilet is the tub (I've forgotten the Indonesian word for it). You don't get in it, you scoop the water (which is only cold) and pour it over yourself. You have to fill the tub up each day, and the water enters very slowly.

This is the main room. My refrigerator is back in the corner, with my bottled water. On the table is a electric steamer that I use to make my instant coffee (sad) and steam vegetables.

front of the house

Here is the front of my house. It's a orange/yellow paint which is very soothing.

Chilling in Cirebon on the weekend

Without a school room to go to for the weekend, I anticipated a very long and quiet weekend. I’m still not comfortable with the language to venture out, on my own. I am adding new Indonesian words to my vocabulary, and the Indonesian people have been very generous with their praise and help. However, Friday night, Regina texted me (my new form of communication) and asked if I wanted to go to the “sports center” early Saturday morning. We are able to walk it from my house, and during that 10 minute walk we encountered vendors selling vegetables, soup, and a lady in a becak (three-wheeled bicycle –rickshaw) selling fried chicken. Down some of the side streets the stench was overpowering, with open sewage, broken down corrugated doors, and children playing in the rubble. However, upon entering the community that housed the “sports center” we entered another world entirely. Behind this gated community the houses were huge, well-manicured and reminded me of places in Florida. The outdoor pool looked very inviting, but I noticed that the women wore shirts over their bathing suits. Regina didn’t want to swim, so I went to the “weight room”. The anemic set up consisted of four pieces of weight equipment and a jump rope. However, with the heat and humidity and no a/c, one half hour of weights and I was drenched. I am grateful that there is a place for me to work out, now I just have to get a routine going. The facility opens early - 5:00 a.m. but I have to be at school before 7:00 - so I may actually have to work out after school.

I met an American, Abdul, who teaches at English First – an organization that is housed where the school is located. He married an Indonesian woman, Yanti, and they have a four month old son, Adam. Sunday they took me shopping at a supermarket, which was more like a department store. Yanti was very kind and explained the fruits and vegetables to me, as well as the different types of rice. My new fruit to try in manggis, which I have never seen in the States. It looks like a giant brazil nut, but I have to crack it open and eat the sweet fruit inside.

Afterwards, Regina’s family invited me to lunch which we had a mall. Regina asked if I wanted Wendy’s and I politely turned it down–since I don’t even venture into a Wendy’s back home. After eating, we wandered around the mall – which was overwhelming. It was very crowded, loud, and hot. The noise and blinking lights from the arcades and small children’s rides reminded me of an aged boardwalk on the beach, while the motorcycles being hawked in the center courtyard seemed incongruous to the clothing and jewelry sold in the stores. Tucked into corners of the mall were stalls – which had the feel of a farmers market. Deny, said that this was a rather small mall, but for me, a non-mall aficionado, this was more than enough.

Besides the geckos, cockroaches, mosquitoes I now have a new furry friend. I met up with my resident rat last night, and I don’t know which of us was more frightened. He was checking out the kitchen, and hopefully won’t be back for some time.

I hope all are well.
Carol

Bureaucracy in Cerebon

Today's adventure was to go to the immigration office in Cirebon. It seems that each major city has their own immigration office, and I needed to register with them. Prior to me going today one of the office staff, a lovely young lady by the name of Uley, took all the paper. So today was to be a quick visit.........oh, but it was not to be.

After sitting in an area that reminded me of the Department of Motor Vehicle waiting room, I was called back to have my photo and finger prints taken for my immigration card. I don't think they have encountered anyone as tall as me - so it took three people to rearrange the camera. The camera was connected to the computer - and for some reason my eyes were not coming up on the screen. They rearranged me, the chair, the camera, and tried again. This went on for twenty minutes. Finally they were satified and my next task was to get fingerprinted. This little device was also connected to the computer. Low and behold, some fingers just wouldn't cooperate, so they grabbed them and dipped them in water...finally I was to sign the electronic plate. Whatever I pushed, touched, or prodded, caused the photo and all the fingerprints to vanish! I'm not sure what they were saying - but I could only imagine....We did it again, and again,- five times total because there was an error in the computer and it wouldn't process my information. The fifth time was a charm, and then it was off to sign documents- not one word did I understand. After that we were finished - and informed that we could come back on Monday to get all my documentation. I also found out that when I leave for Christmas holiday (I'm going to Australia and meet up with my daughter), that I need an exit visa. Regina suggested I go three weeks before I'm leaving so I can get the exit visa.



The teachers are now officially on holiday - they have off until July 1st- that's it. I am at the school, since I can't get internet access at my house, and for a change of scenery. Since my American teacher, Anna, left to visit her fiance (he is a musician, and is practicing in a rice paddy about five hours from here) I braved the street vendor by myself. He smiled as he saw me coming (which I took as a good thing) I pointed and he put in the large leaf, my choices. Then he already knew to add to spoonfuls of spicy chilis- apparently most foreigners don't enjoy the spicy food - so they are tickled to see me eat it.

Having just finished lunch I headed back to the classroom and the principal called me to see if I wanted to go to lunch with her and her family. I went to enjoy their company since I had already eaten. We went to a pizza place where they put hot sauce on the cheese pizza. Along with the pizza the children had pasta. Tasha, their lovely daughter said that she loves pizza the best!

Thank you for all who are sending me posts, and emails. I really appreciate the contact from home.

New School Building

Upon arriving here, much to my surprise the school is moving to a new location. Mind you the school is not finished yet, and the children are to arrive on July 21st, but according to Mr. Deny, the principal's husband, they plan on being finished by the end of June.



This morning, Miss Regina asked Anna and I to take a tour of the building. Off we went, onto the construction site, no hardhats, no safety features, workers walking around in bare feet, and I in just flip-flops. Most construction is done by hand, including digging deep into the ground. There were workers laying beautiful tiles, smoothing the cement on the floor and walls, with nothing more than a small trowel, and a piece of string for the plumb line. We two American teachers were actually consulted as to what color walls we would like in our classrooms and where we would like to place the computers. I'm anxious to get in the classroom and begin organizing, since right now I am only sitting in an empty room (albeit with a/c) using the schools internet service. Once we move to the other building, I will be able to use my own computer.



Last night Miss Regina and her family asked me to go "up". She explained to me that meant to go up to the mountains where it is noticeably cooler. Although it was dusk, the view of the mountains and the rice paddies was spectacular. We ate at a Chinese restaurant that was wonderful. Regina orders a variety of items and then we all share. I'm really enjoy the salad with rice, potatoes, egg and then covered with a peanut sauce. Afterwards we walked around two beautiful hotels. One was massive, with hot springs, pools, a hot house, and bungalows as well as regular hotel rooms. The other was a re-creation of the city as it was in 1928 with bamboo houses, and a bamboo water chime surrounding a town center. We had a delightful evening, and Deny and Regina's two children, Jason and Tasha are very inquisitive and friendly.

Until next time-
Carol

Shopping Cirebon Style

Yesterday, Tuedsay June 23rd, the principal of my school, Ms. Regina graciously offered to take me food shopping.

We arrived at the local grocery store and upon entering it were surrounding by bins of clothing for sale. Shirts, socks, - it remined me more of a five and dime.



As you went back to the grocery section you first encounter the fruits. Many of them were familiar to me - but others were very unique in color and texture. I decided to try a new fruit each week - so I 've chosen papaya, which I know we have in the States, but I have never tried.



Vegetables also were familiar and unfamiliar. Regina was surprised that I knew what bok choy was, but I had never seen baby bok choy, so I purchased that. I also am trying lemon grass - which I have eaten at home, but never cooked with.



The fish section consisted of many types of salted fish (which you cut into small pieces and mix with rice) and tiny fish wrapped in plastic, with the little eyes peering out from the container. I picked up one small plastic bag which held cloudy water and what appeared to be small cheese pieces. Regina explained that those were fish balls!

Yes, they have chunky peanut butter - so I am quite content. Skippy is the brand and it taste very similar to ours. So I made sure that I boughts some - when I come home too tired to cook.

It's interesting that as poor as this city is there are scanners at the checkout counter- and much to my surprise- I didn't have enough rupiahs for what I had purchased. It looks like so much money when I see 1000, 5000, and 50000 on the paper bills; but I was quite short. Regina payed for it - and I paid her back when she took me home.

I met my new co-teacher today, a young Cirebonese woman by the name of Meidy. She has only taught kindergarten so teaching second and third will be a challenge for both of us. She will be getting married on July 4th and has already asked me to come to the wedding!

I hope all are well in the States.

The fascinating world of Cirebon

I now know why I was chosen for Indonesia - to learn patience. This is a part of the world where nothing gets done on any schedule, and if a schedule is made, it's with understanding that it won't be adhered to. For example, I am sitting in an empty classroom, with nothing to do since the children are on holiday and the school is moving to a new location. We, the staff or waiting for boxes to pack up materials. We have been waiting for a day now, and I'm not sure when anything will arrive. An American married to an Indonesian woman said time can be measured in the US, but in Indonesia it flows like water.

I am also getting use to the geikos and cockroaches greeting me in the morning and any time during the night that I get up. I finally have propane to cook with - on a burner that is very tempermental. I boiled water for coffee today - since anything you purchase is very sweet. All coffee (as far as I can tell) is instant which still baffles me since coffee is a major crop. I will attempt to purchase rice and veggies at a stall later today, where I hear haggling is part of the "experience".

I am also getting use to taking a "shower" which consists of scooping cold water out of a narrow tub and throwing it on myself. It's rather refreshing since it's very hot and the only room that is air conditioned is the bedroom. However, the no toilet paper and the squatting into a hole will take some getting use to- or not.

Between 4:00 am and 4:00 pm the calls for pray from the Mosque begins. Each mosque has an elaborate PA system in which they broadcast the songs and prayers. The first night I hardly noticed it, but as I'm less sleep deprived I am awakened by it on a regular basis.

I will be teaching a combined class of second and third graders- along with a new teacher from Jakarta. I met her today and she has never taught - has had only experience with student teaching in kindergarten. I have been given a number of teachers manuals but nothing seems clear. I will be teaching English, math, social sciences (with a book from the US!) science, art (more like art history!) and PE. Thankfully I won't be teaching music, character, Indonesian or Mandarin the other subjects. Classes begin at 7:00 am and go until 12:30 for second graders and then 2:30 for the third graders.
I haven't figured out how to send pictures as of yet (since this isn't my computer). Once we move and are up and running I will get someone to help me.

Even though Cirebon (C is pronounced as CH) is famous for its shrimp - I went by the harbor and it is filled with coal, and industry. This city is much noisier, busy and filled with unemployment and beggars than I imagined. Driving is a sight to behold, since there are no rules and people drive on both sides of the road whenever it seems to suit them. Cars fight for space along with bekaks (bicycle rickshaws), motorcycles (very popular) mini buses (more like a van), bicycles and trucks. There is no road rage and accidents are very infrequent- but it's amazing. I took a mini bus to the school yesterday with the help of Anna who has been here for two years now. She is fluent in Indonesian (at least I think so) and has been very supportive and helpful.

Hopefully I've given you a taste of what I am experiencing. Thank you for all of your support and encouragement- and keep the posts coming!
Cheers-
Carol

Mailing address in Indonesia

Greetings to all. I havent' left yet, but have just been told that my mail should be delivered to the school - and I quote 'since most of the time you are going to be in school"
Sekolah Pelita Bangsa
Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 58
Cirebon. 45124
Indonesia
Phone : 62 231 208887Fax : (0231) 208887