Indonesia is a country full of wonderfully friendly people and quite unique things. I've decided to share a few things that I still find amazing about my second home.
This first photo is the view of Mt. Merapi from the second storey of my kos. Mt. Merapi is a massive volcano that exploded October last year and caused a lot of damage. Because of the smog layer that is usually covering the city, Merapi can't usually be seen so clearly (it was actually clearer after I took this photo). But it rained a lot on Thursday morning, so for the first time in the whole four months I have been here Merapi was clearly visible. Even locals were stopping to take photos!
On the way home from a recent trip to Imogiri (the royal cemetary) I noticed that the powerlines were quite close to the buildings along the street. Then I realised that the powerlines must have been there before the buildings, because there were many buildings that had powerpoles sticking through the verandah, or even the middle of the house.
There aren't really gardens in Yogyakarta. Instead, many people have large collections of pot plants casually sitting outside their homes.
Speaking of pot plants, I especially like how this "Butter Cookies" tin is used as a pot... makes me want biscuits every time I walk past it.
This picture demonstrates two very Indonesian things:
1. Indonesia's love of Sponge Bob Square Pants (which has been dubbed into Indonesian, appearing on TV several times a day, and which is apparently pronounced 'spong').
2. Zero tolerance of copyright laws, I have even heard this explained as: copyright = right to copy. My uni friends were shocked to learn that you can only copy one chapter, or 10%, of a book back home. Here your textbook is borrowed from the library, copied for all your friends, then returned. Cartoon characters are particularly susceptible to this right to copy. You can see them used, and changed, everywhere. Does a yellow bear who loves honey and has a friend that is a piglet sound familiar? It may not be who you think it is... many warungs have cutlery holders with a stylised Winnie the Pooh called "Wendy Bear".
2. Zero tolerance of copyright laws, I have even heard this explained as: copyright = right to copy. My uni friends were shocked to learn that you can only copy one chapter, or 10%, of a book back home. Here your textbook is borrowed from the library, copied for all your friends, then returned. Cartoon characters are particularly susceptible to this right to copy. You can see them used, and changed, everywhere. Does a yellow bear who loves honey and has a friend that is a piglet sound familiar? It may not be who you think it is... many warungs have cutlery holders with a stylised Winnie the Pooh called "Wendy Bear".
Several sections of the 'median strip' were removed a couple of months ago so cyclists could get through a lot easier (the background is one of the entrances to my uni). Then three bars were added in to stop motorbikes - this change was for cyclists only apparently. But many motorbikes could still get through. Last week I went to uni at 9.30am and there were three bars. I returned at 1pm and there were another two added. I find it amazing how fast this could happen, regardless of the infamous jam karet. Also, notice the big word "Hippies" ironically graffiti-ed onto the Forestry Faculty.
Rooves are useful for many things, including drying your food (I think this is rice). But just be careful your roof doesn't fall off or fly away. Placing other bits of corrugated iron or roof tiles on top may prevent this..... maybe....
Trucks are not only a good means or transporting large quantities of stuff (in this case, potatoes), but also the workers who will load/unload these goods. Please note that this is only a small load and it is perfectly acceptable to pile your goods twice as high as the actual truck.
If you don't have a truck to transport your things, motorbikes are a good substitute. Need to get several chickens from one place to another? Simply hold a few upside down in each hand and you're on your way.
"Sorry your journey has been disrupted. There are sewerage pipe works. Please use a different road."
There have been a lot of roadworks around my area recently. I love that the signs informing people of this actually apologise for causing inconvenience - not that anyone really cares anyway. People continue travelling along roads that have massive machinery and gaping holes right through the middle.
Petrol stations are actually kind of a rare sight. In stead you can get your petrol from your friendly side street stall vendor. This particular "petrol station" is two doors down from my house.
One of my favourite things about the buildings in Indonesia is how colourful they are. This one is the Pos Rondah in my kampung. It's like a little security post, found in all kampungs, but not generally so colourful and dice-looking. The older men in the area sit around playing dominoes or watching the soccer while keeping an eye on the happenings of the kampung.
I hope you enjoyed this little introduction to some unique things in Indonesia. Hope you're happy and healthy :)
Sampai Jumpa,
Katrina
