May 18, 2006

I mentioned on my website that this blog would contain some of the sights, sounds and smells of our experiences in Indonesia… so I thought I should attempt to bring you all into the experience….

One word that can describe what INDONESIA does to the senses is OVERLOAD!

Living life in Indonesia is a daily sensory overload… note, I did not say “assault” on the senses – I don’t want to create a negative connotation.

But, WOW… It seems to me that everything in the city is in constant motion. What can you expect, with 60% of the world’s 4^th most populous country living on this Island (Java)? There are people (mostly on motorcycle, or moped) going this way and that… and, watch out!, pedestrians to NOT have the right-of-way, as in courteous Canada! The trick is not to have a momentary brain lapse (easy in this heat and humidity!), and forget that the traffic here is on the opposite side of the street to what we’re used to!!! Yes, Indonesia falls into that half the world that drives from the right-hand side of the car on the left-hand side of the road. This, being an entirely novel concept for Martin, has almost left me in Indonesia alone, on more than one occasion!

As for smells, especially in the evening, the city is full of the mingling scents of sate (yummy marinated street meat (meat-on-a-stick) – usually beef or chicken, not dog as in Maluku), nasi goreng (chicken/veggie fried rice), sembal (INSANELY spicy food, even for Martin!), or any number of exotic dishes from the more remote islands. The street sides are packed with small warung and food stalls… even in the more remote suburbs, like where we live…you can’t walk 10 feet without having to walk into the traffic to accommodate someone’s temporary restaurant. My favourite food so far would have to be mie rebus (a veggie noodle soup)… but I must say, I’m REALLY missing fresh vegetable salads (... don't cha just LOVE salad?). It always surprises me that in tropical countries, where they have the facility to grow veggies year round, a nice fresh green garden salad is a rarity!

Of course, another smell that is unique to Jogja right now is a slightly sooty, campfire-esque scent thanks to Merapi (the volcano).

Sounds: motors, car horns, fans, and call to prayer at the mosque (five times daily)… certain to be a consideration when we select a home!