Most Indonesians live and die within sight of a volcano. The islands of Indonesia are a volatile part of the “ring of fire†that spans across the Pacific from Japan, California, Hawaii, and Southeast Asia. Indonesia is the sight of two of the world’s greatest volcanic eruptions, Krakatoa, and Tambora – which still have major eruptions 10 times a year. The volcanoes provide Java with some of the most fertile soil in the world! Why do you think the coffeeRead more
Posts tagged: #Expat Experiences
Fake Plastic Christmas Tree
Apparently that’s what I’ll have this year. Believe it or not, it’s a bit tough finding natural 8 foot pine trees in Jakarta. Well, and the fact that the country is 90% Muslim. This will be the first time in my life when I’ll have to relinquish the smell of pine needles, the impossible task of balancing the tree, and the never-ending fight to give more water to the tree than blood from my arm getting scratched on branches. Somehow,Read more
Going Through Changes
Where have I been? Why haven’t I written? You sound like a worried mother. You wouldn’t even believe me if I told you everything that has happened in the past three months – so I won’t even begin to tell the tale. But basically the past three months have brought about more changes than any three month period of my life – mostly for the best.Read more
Welcome to the Jungle
Home? Yeah, I’m wondering where that is. Is it Indonesia now? Is it America? Is it Cape Town? Well, at any rate, I’m back in Jakarta. The Marriot was bombed downtown only days before my return – how’s that for a welcome home! It feels a bit strange knowing that I was eating sushi in that hotel in June! I must be getting used to hearing these events because it didn’t even really surprise me. I’m buying a car nextRead more
Baboon in the Benz!
Ok, so I drove to the Cape Point today… basically the end of the earth, it’s the farthest point south in Africa, where the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic meet. There are many signs around saying, “Do NOT Feed the Animals!”. I noticed there were many baboons – you know the big monkeys with the nasty asses that look as if a 5 pound fissure was cracking open from their anus? Well, I saw a rather obnoxious baboon trying toRead more
Reverse Culture Shock
I am still in Cape Town, South Africa – and will be for another two weeks. I haven’t written anything cause being in front of a computer is the LAST thing I feel like doing while I’m in such a beautiful place! I’ve been out hiking, getting lost, eating ostrich, adjusting to driving on the left side of the road, waking up without an alarm, reading, taking photos, and enjoying life away from Indonesia. Unlike December, there’s not a wholeRead more