That sounded bad. Sorry. Today I got jabbed with a needle twice – once for the flu vaccine and once for a typhoid update. A doctor from Global Doctors was kind enough to come to work to offer vaccines for whoever wanted them. I know what you’re thinking – the flu vaccine has nothing to do with protecting against avian flu. True, however, I’ve heard from a number of ‘professionals’ (in a calm, yet warning tone) that if you’ve hadRead more
Posts tagged: #Culture Clash
Coin Rubbing for Healing?
Let me start by saying that this post isn’t meant to be condescending or written with an ironic tone. Having said that, what’s up with the coin rubbing for healing purposes here in Indonesia? After the gym last night, I dropped by the grocery store to pick up a few things. As I was going down the aisle, a maid (I believe) was blocking my way – before I politely asked if I may pass, I noticed massive red streaksRead more
Becoming An Outcast
Who would have thought that painting my gate would bring such looks of pity? In a country with extremely cheap manual labor, apparently anyone who brings such a task upon themselves is in a new class of oddness. The complex I live in is monitored by 24 hour security guards, and yet every single home has its very own 8 foot gaudy gate protecting the inhabitants from everything but tailless stray cats and the raunchy smell of the weekly, toxicRead more
Random Thoughts
This post is going to be all over the place, as I’ve had enough caffeine to make a cappuccino nervous. As I was strolling through the insanity of one Jakarta’s mega-malls this afternoon, two completely different thoughts crossed my cortex. One – Being an expat (or tourist, traveller) staying in a country that speaks something other than your first language, you tend to have much more time to think while in public. Instead of picking up on the conversations ofRead more
R.I.P. Kitten
It was a sad, sad day. Today I had to put my cat to sleep, and she was just a kitten. About two months ago, as I was walking out of work I saw a kitten near our security guard’s desk. I’m a sucker for little animals, so I took the street kitten home. I’ve been watching her grow for the past 8 weeks into a ball of fur and energy. She’s been getting adventurous lately, playing in front ofRead more
In the Corner
Along one of my walks, I came across a housing development built upon stilts. They were raised 3 meters over the swamp below. The homes weaved intricately through a maze of wood and life. One hallway led to a gang of children playing and laughing in spirits light as helium. All but this one little girl. Clutching her belongings. Not laughing. Not smiling. Alone in the corner. Alone.Read more