The speed of life

One of the ways you can pick a bule (if their physical non-Indonesionality is not enough) is that they walk much faster than native folk. The Padang locals know it's much easier to conserve energy if you bersantai- relax. You can also pick a new bule by their refusal to take the opelet, speeding mini buses with an incomprehensible coding system to advise their destination (a mixture of colour and number), an entire lack of safety system such as seat belts, and an amazing top speed which is employed as often as possible. As of yesterday I am no longer one of those bule, as I have taken the mini bus TWICE! (wah! More on this later)

Indonesians also LOVE to shorten words. Acronyms (SD= sekolah dasar= elementary school), abbreviations (tak=tidak=no/not, tapi=tetapi=but/ however), compound abbreviations (ibule=ibu+bule=foreign woman), and nicknames. As of yesterday, I now have an Indo nickname, Ami. I'm reading a book called "The Meaning of Tingo," which talks about words/ phrases in other languages for which we have no English equivalent. It's great- Caroline, I think you'd like it, I'll lend it to you in October if you'd like. You are pretty much guaranteed that if there is a compound word, it is Indonesian.

Indonesians also eat quickly. It's an essential function, get it done, no useless chit-chat, and do the next thing on the agenda (probably bersantai). I was again reminded of this at the Embassy function last night- what a weird do. Most Australians I met were actually from Medan, just in town for the official announcement of the Honorary Consul. The Padang Australians seemed very cliquey, or were just tourists. *sigh* But I met a few Indo people from the Universities, including one who did his PhD in Tasmania, and another who runs an Australian Studies course and would like me to come and speak to the class sometime. There was about 45 minutes of milling/ drinking ok wine (better than I was expecting, as tghey don't really do wine in Indonesia)/ meeting the Ambassador and Consul who were both very nice. Then 20 minutes of speeches, in which the official folk were very relaxed and funny and the poor translator (who went to Monash) had to make it much more conservative for her Indo audience. Then half an hour of eating (ok main meal, great deserts), after which most Indonesians vamoosed. And that was that. The hotel was quite nice, batik just means the men wear batik shirts with pants, the women wear dresses with shawls, and most of the Australians look scruffy (except me).

Yesterday I also visited Daerah Miskin- a poor area. Met a kid on the street, he wanted me to meet his German tourist neighbour who speaks English. Miscommunication meant I went miles out of my way in a minibus to this suburban village, where I met most of his extended family, visited his and his sister's homes, discovered the German lady was not home and ate with them, before Joko (the kid) escorted me back home and refused any money for food or the bus. A really interesting and touching experience, to be invited as a stranger into these poor people's homes. Joko is very 'keen' (he said this a lot), and would like to marry an Australian woman when he is older. I told him I'd give him my dictionary when I left, so he could keep learnign English.

Today, Ipit and Kenny will finally move out. Holdups with registration and pay meant they have not been able to do so until now. So I will be a bit more alone, but I have a few friends in my classes, so I will be less lonely than I was earlier in the stint.

Safe trip to Gene, who flies to Doha today (and virtual hug to Sarah who's there already). Lisa, I hope you've made it safely to Paris?? Nick said your plane was delayed. And Nick, enjoy America, I'll see you for your birthday- ok?! The rest of you, enjoy Melbourne :)