Odds and Ends

Well I finally have internet at the old homestead! It only took two days and four young men. It would not have been possible without the wonderful help of Yanti (the Indonesian wife of an American). Yanti translated and kept me company while the initial registration and then the installation occurred. I have come to realize that everything needs a great deal of paper work with multiple locations for your signature, and always having a tax stamp adhered to it. The young gentleman, who came Tuesday, forgot the stamps so off he zoomed on his motorcycle to purchase them. I’m not quite sure where you purchase them, but every paper appears to need them. The next day, the young men from “Speedy” internet service came and installed the modem and 15 meters of cable. I have the computer in my small bedroom since it’s the only room with a/c (which allows me to put on a sweatshirt and keep the mosquitoes off). With modem, cable, installation and those tax stamps it came to 605,000.00 rupiahs – which is roughly $66.00

Last night, Regina and her family took me to a new restaurant that opened in Cirebon. The place was mobbed. Surrounding the parking lot, and in front of the restaurant there were massive posters propped up on easels. The posters were wishing the owners success in their new endeavor and then signing their names. These messages were done with beautiful paper to make it appear as if it were made out of flowers. These billboard type greetings have flowers above them and below them. Tasha, Regina’s daughter said they also use them in funerals. That’s exactly what I was thinking but, didn’t voice.
The restaurant is massive. It had a beautifully decorated interior with local batik materials framing the lights and buffet section. I tried rice that is cooked in coconut milk and then topped with fried salted fish. Very delicious.

Afterwards, we went to a hospital to visit one of Regina’s friends who just had a baby. It was an old building, built when Indonesia still ruled by the Dutch (approx. 1945). In the front of the building there are doctors’ offices and then in the back is the maternity ward. It is a Catholic hospital so ever corridor is named after a saint. In the center of the maternity ward is a beautiful atrium. The nursery was at one end while the rooms were at the other.
As is the custom here, one takes off their shoes when entering a home, or a classroom, any place where a carpet would be located. I noticed in the nursery the nurses were taking care of the new-born babies in bare feet.
Directly across the hall from the nursery was the one delivery room. The door was unlocked, so naturally, yours truly opened it and took a peek. Very, very, basic. I’m grateful that my children were born in the US.

Today was the first official day for the other teachers to return to school. We were told we have to come on Saturday at 7:30 to move our desks, boxes, chairs, everything to the new building…it certainly a different world. I don’t think any teacher union in the States would approve of this. However, I see it as my chance to workout- rather than go to the gym. Sorry for such a long entry – I just haven’t had the chance to sit and write.