Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Paging Dokter Gigi


Out and about on the teaming streets of Jakarta, I have seen signs that say Dokter Gigi. As you can probably tell dokter is the way they spell doctor here. The Dutch were the last folks to claim that the Indonesian archipelago belonged to them before the natives decided to take matters in their own hands and declare independence. That all transpired in the 1940's which isn't that long ago when you are in my age bracket. With that in mind, it is easy to see the Dutch influence that is still here. There are the spellings of words like dokter and taksi which are pretty easy to figure out what they mean. Some other borrowed words from the Dutch include, kantor (office), suster (sister), kamar (room) and hanger. Yes, hanger which is just what it is in English. According to one source, there are 3,280 Dutch words used in Bahasa Indonesia. The ones I have listed above, just about cover it for me. There is a Holland Bakery that I pass sometimes during my days out in the city. It has a little windmill on the top. Don't know how good it is, but it sure is cute.


However, Dokter Gigi was a puzzlement. After buying an Indonesian/English - English/Indonesian dictionary I discovered that Dokter Gigi is a dentist. I think this is a splendid title. Since many people dread going to the dentist, maybe they would feel better if they were going to visit someone called Dokter Gigi instead. Like how threatening is someone or something called Gigi? All you think about is Maurice Chevalier purring "Oh Gigi. Have I been standin' up or back to far?" You would go in with a smile on your face and hum away while the dokter is working on your teeth. My dearest friend Mary comes from a family of dentist. I think she should pass this info along to them. It just seems like good business practice to me to call your place of business something very non-threatening. Let me know how that works out for them Mary and tell them I expect dental care in return if their business increases.

Just like in most nation's histories, Indonesia has had many who have claimed them as their own. Before the Dutch, there were the Portuguese. Now as far as honey bunch and I are concerned, our lives would have been easier if the Indonesians had gone straight from Portugal to Happy Independence Day. Hubby has three years of Portuguese under his belt and I know more words in that language than Dutch or Bahasa Indonesia. The language transition might have been a little easier. Who knows? There is an island that is part of the over 13,0000 islands which make up Indonesia where they still speak Portuguese. We are not living on it.

The house hunting saga is coming to an end, we think, and I will expound upon that in another post. Right now I would like to discuss our happy little hotel. We are on a first name basis with almost the entire staff at the hotel at this point. Don't get me wrong, while it has a long time (8 weeks and counting) to live in one room in a hotel, it could be a lot worse. We stayed in a hotel once that was so bad that we slept with our clothes on, on top of the sheets and put a towel on the pillows. Desperate situation and no choice to do something different. Our accommodations here are extremely nice and we couldn't ask for better. It is just a little too much togetherness with my sweetie pie sometimes. I love you honey!

Once this housing situation all gets resolved, there are some things that I will miss at the hotel and the surrounding area. There is a railroad track across the canal in front of the hotel. I love hearing the little trains clickety-clack by and give a little blow on the whistle. Sometimes it is a commuter train with open doors and windows with people standing packed inside. Typically, it is 8 cars long and passes by frequently from its point of origin to its destination. Some of these commuter trains are silver and green, some are silver and orange and some are just very dirty. Guess the color is one way of telling where they are coming from or going to. Whatever color, and whatever direction, they are almost always 8 cars long. I have never seen one any longer. Occasionally, you will see higher end trains on the track. The windows are closed and there are air conditioning units on the top. It is a much more expensive train to travel on I am sure. I also don't think it is a commuter train. Other points on the island of Java are its destination most likely.

I will kind of miss the very energetic guard in front of the hotel who LOVES to blow his whistle to signal the cars to stop so folks can exit the hotel and merge or turn across traffic. You hear that whistle blowing A LOT especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Even way up in the air as we are, you can hear it. He takes his job seriously and I personally think he has an extreme fixation on that whistle. But, I still like him because he has helped us countless times when we have tried to get out. There would be no hope if he weren't out there blowing away and directing. Tip of the hat, but could you blow maybe just a little bit less continuously?

I will miss the production that you go through every time you get out of the car and pass through security. The doors are opened and there must be 10 - 20 people at the door and in the lobby saying hello to you. It feels like a constant wedding receiving line. Sometimes I almost start to giggle because I feel so silly passing through each and every time. Doesn't matter if it was yesterday, earlier in the day, or 20 minutes ago, it is the same every time. God bless their friendly, smiling faces.

I also cannot begin to tell you how much I am going to miss the electric draperies. I know that I have mentioned them earlier, but I have come to love them even more. Why this is such an attraction to me is a little odd. The sheer convenience of it never fails to please me. They better check my bags upon departure.

I will miss seeing my friend Herwig and his delightful wife. When I met her a few weeks ago, it was obvious that she is quite the match for him. She is an extremely fit woman, I guess you would have to be if you wanted to have any hope what-so-ever being married to a pastry chef. She swims for an hours every morning and then works out an hour and a half every afternoon. Jean Claude Van Damme (The Muscles from Brussels) must be somehow related to her. I am impressed and I am most definitely not related to Jean Claude.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

"Oh my! People come and go so quickly here"


One aspect of this assignment that I didn't consider is that people will be rotating in and out of your life on a fairly regular basis. Some of the new friends that I have made in my brief time here are being transferred to other areas of the world in April. Expat life is kind of like being in the military I guess. You learn to make friends fast.

So this post is dedicated to those wonderful individuals who have taken me under their wing, watched me wander around dazed and confused and stepped in to help, have gotten me from here to there one way or another, but will be moving on to other places and won't be part of my everyday life in Jakarta.

First there is my British friend. Her relaxed personality, wonderful wit, patients and all around spunky way of looking at the world is an inspiration. I can't believe I am not going to get to enjoy the escapades she is totally capable of getting us in to. She seems to have such a joy about her. I thoroughly love that.

Next is my wonderful friend who is a world class shopper. She is a remarkable resource for where to get whatever you need here in Jakarta. We have had some wonderful shopping expeditions and I am so sad that we only have a few more weeks to enjoy each others company. Along with shopping, she gives good advice without being pushy and her years of experience of living abroad has helped ground me during this phase.

I hope to have the pleasure of spending time with these two again at some future point. One just never knows who will come into your life to help change things around just when you need them.

Also included in this goodbye tribute is our temporary driver, Nurdin (FYI the correct way to pronounce Nurdin's name is Noor-din). At some point in April, we will begin using a permanent driver named Akil. He is a little older than Nurdin and has been driving for expat families for about 20 years. We like Akil a lot and think we are most fortunate to employ such an experienced driver. He is a quiet, smiling man who will take excellent care of us. We are such neophytes to this whole expat/Jakarta thing. We need absolutely all the help we can get. I hope he knows what he is in for.

Nurdin is kind of like a puppy. We have gotten attached to him. He is a very clever fellow who manages to find great short cuts when we are unbelievably stuck in traffic or in worse case scenarios, a demonstration. There are demonstrations on a pretty regular basis. It seems to be a very popular pastime. Guess there is nothing like a good rant.

Ol' Nurdin and I have seen some funny things while riding together. During these trecks off the beaten path, we have ventured down narrow neighborhood streets, past fish markets, farm animals (still in the city mind you), laundry hanging on porches, men shaving huge blocks of ice, men shaping wood and making all assortments of furniture, past school children in uniform, through various parking lots of hotels, businesses and today we even cut through the police station parking lot. That was a completely new one. I spend a lot of time riding in the back seat of the Toyota Kijang we are using observing all of this stuff and sooooo very happy that I am not the one driving.

I have noticed that Nurdin loves to really pour it on when there is an audience somewhere. When we arrive at our destination,if there are people out front, he will jump from the driver's seat to open the car door for me or my husband. I can't decide if it is a possessive thing as in "These are MY bules, back off" or if it is to show off in front of his peers. Which ever it is, I always get a chuckle out of it.

When you call him to ask him to pick you up he always says "I am coming now." The first time he said this to sweetie pie and to me we didn't know where he was or where he was coming from. We were a little unnerved as we weren't sure how long to stand there and wait. We have come to learn that is just the phrase he uses to let us know that we shouldn't worry, he has got it covered.

On occasion I have gone somewhere and called him to pick me up and I get the "I am coming now." phrase. I will be looking all around and down the street trying to find him. Then I realize that he is standing 5 or 6 feet from me holding his handphone against his ear and looking right at me while I am talking to him on the phone. One of the more embarrassing times this happened was when I was at a function at an expat's home. He was parked in her driveway and I walked right past the car. I'm talking to him on the phone and realize he is following me on foot because I wasn't observant enough to see him when I came out the door. Silly bule.

When honey bunch got back from his trip he had a Nurdster moment. Hubby is wandering through the Jakarta airport fumbling with his phone trying to dial Nurdin to let him know he was on the ground and getting ready to come out. He said he kept hearing someone saying his name. After several times, he looked around and there stood Nurdin - in the airport trying his best to pluck him out of the confusion and bring him safely back to me.

He is always waiting for us and I appreciate it tremendously. We are going to miss him.

I can see that your staff will become a huge part of your life. You depend on them so and spend large amounts of time with them. It is going to make it hard to leave them behind. I sense this already.

If I hadn't come here, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to add to my wealth of loving family and friends that we left temporarily on the other side of the world. So to those who are on that side, we have been blessed to find folks to fill in the voids we feel for those we love and miss. You aren't replaced by any means. But you do have well qualified people to fill in for you until we return.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Take me to your leader.


It has been five weeks since sweetie and I set foot in the city of Jakarta located on the Island of Java . The first few weeks, as you may or may not have read, were pretty much a slam dunk to my physical and emotional state. I am happy to report that once I passed week four, things began to look better.

My honey bunch had to fly to a totally different continent for a business meeting at the beginning of week five. That also was the week during which my birthday was happening. At first I was a little nervous about being on the other side of the world, by myself (in a city of 13 million), where I still can't count past 10. Now, I have to say the thought of self pity over all of this was trying to rear its ugly head mingled with massive fear. However, I am proud I didn't give in to fear or pity. Instead, I went to a place where there are lots of other expat wives like me,except for the birthday part.

This outing turned into a pre-birthday lunch/jewelery fest and an all around very fun day. Thanks to all the ladies who helped me celebrate. Thanks also to those who thought of me all during that week. To my son who called and made me cry, to my family who called and sang Happy Birthday, and to my family and friends who emailed and even mailed me cards. You all helped me through and I am most appreciative.

Not to be left out, the hotel staff sent up an "Oh, my God how many calorie per slice cake" and my good friend Herwig, the pastry chef at the hotel, sent me hand made chocolates and a sampler of creme brulees (is that the correct plural?). Yes, it isn't a typo there were three kinds of creme brulee - vanilla, made with real vanilla bean, chocolate, and mango. My sweetie pie had a stunning flower arrangement delivered to me and I know that he is the one who orchestrated the things the staff did to make me feel special that day.

One of the things I discovered through those five days alone here is that you just have to keep asking questions, keep asking for help, and jump in feet first sometimes. I also learned that if I don't leave the hotel soon I will not fit in the elevator!

With that said, here is how I know that progress has been made. If honey bunch had gone on this same trip during the second or third week of being here, he would have returned to a half empty hotel room because I would have gotten Nurdin (who you met earlier) to take me and my things to the airport and stuff me on a plane bound for the US. Anywhere in the US. It would have been I love you, but I'll be waiting for you back at the ranch situation.

That is not to say that I understand the language any better, that I don't have to wander around a food court in the mall till I can find something to eat that I feel pretty darned sure of, that I still don't get a bit overwhelmed at times, and that I don't wish it was easier to figure all of the stuff out about getting settled. But I am beginning to feel like I can figure some of it out and I don't have to spend the majority of my time breathing into a Laundrette bag.

I am still learning and still exploring and still feeling like a baby trying to learn how to walk. But there are lots of incentives to bravely go where this little Tar Heel has never gone. To take steps and get back up after falling down and busting my behind.

Last week, I went to a place called Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. This translates into Beautiful Miniature Indonesia Park. It is indeed beautiful and a miniature representation of the major islands that make up the archipelago of Indonesia. My new found British friend and her sister invited me to explore it with them. We barely even scratched the surface. There are multiple museums, I would say at least 10 to 15, dedicated to many aspects of Indonesian life, culture, accomplishments, etc. There is a large lagoon near the center of the park in which the major, and many of the not so major, islands are outlined and planted with grass to help enhance the physical representation of how the chain is strung together. There are over 13,000 islands so they couldn't fit them all in or the lagoon wouldn't be a lagoon anymore. Even the volcanoes located in Indonesia are represented on these small, grass covered plots of land by life-like cement renderings. Think of Taman Mini (as everyone here calls it) as an Indonesian Epcot Center with no Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck or Goofy. However, I did photograph two young Indonesian guys in fuzzy bunny costumes taking a break. Hmmmm. I assume they wandered over from the kids area, but one never knows here.

Back on dry land, the major islands each have large areas where there are houses or buildings, temples, sculptures, and items that give you a brief introduction to what each island looks like and what one will find there upon visiting. I was completely floored. The amount of detail in the stone work, carvings in wood, colors and icons are stunning. The picture at the beginning of my blog is part of the Bali area. I can't wait to see Bali. Looks amazing in miniature can only imagine what it is like in real life. Best of all it is only a little over an hour away by plane. Whoo hoooo!

Throughout the park are large monuments and one incredibly beautiful sculpted wall that represents all the people who have come to Indonesia helping shape it into who and what it is. There are three huge aviaries, a botanical garden, churches, an aerial tram to take you above it all, places to eat, green spaces and so much to see. It is going to be a place to come and visit multiple times. It is a photo book waiting to happen.

A funny thing happened while we were at Taman Mini. The weather turned rainy and we had to take refuge in the car. Once the rain let up, we got out of the car and began walking around again. Here, when it rains, enterprising young men and sometimes young women show up with umbrellas. For a small price, they will cover you with their umbrella and walk with you to your destination. Originally enough, they are called "umbrella boys." So, here are these three bule woman out wandering around in the drizzle, just ripe for the picking.

This very wet, young boy about 8 or 9 wanders up with this bright multi-colored umbrella. He is cute and we all decide to take pictures of him under the beautiful trees in the park. We snap away and then these two little girls show up with their umbrellas. Cute as buttons and also soaking wet. More picture taking. Then an adult shows up. I'm thinking that she is probably going to ask us not to take photos of her children. Then she starts thrusting this rhinestone encrusted handphone at me. I can't figure it out. Then she runs over to my friend and stands with her arm around her. The light bulb comes on. She wants her picture taken with one of the wacky bules. So, I snap a picture with her phone. The next thing I know she rips the phone from my hand, gives it to my friend and then glues herself to my side. She in her soft pink headscarf all of 4'11" and me in droopy capri pants and a tee shirt, at about 5'7". We smile for the camera and my friend snaps away. I guess turn about is fair play. One just never imagines themselves as being overly fascinating enough that total strangers would come up and want a photo. I am not sure if that qualifies me as Mickey, Minnie, or just Goofy.

After all of this picture taking we gave our impromptu models a small amount of cash. This then becomes a scene at the beach where you give a seagull a potato chip and all of a sudden there are 30 of them wanting the whole bag. Lots of kids appear and they all want their pictures taken too. We clamber to our car and tell the kids the photo session is over. They wander off only to reappear when we stop the car a short distance down the road. Hmmmm. Will have to rethink this strategy the next time I am out photographing. I guess I will also have to do my hair and wear nicer clothes as you never know when your own close-up opportunity will come knocking.