You Know you've been in Indonesia too long when ...

(Although not my list, all points apply)

1. The footprints on the toilet seat are your own.
2. You no longer wait in line, but immediately go to the head of the queue.
3. You are accustomed to your underwear, socks, sheets and towels being ironed.
4. You find it saves time to stand and retrieve your cabin luggage while the plane is still on final approach.
5. You think the Avanza and Kijang are stylish and well built cars.
6. You answer the telephone with "hello" more than 2 times.
7. You are quite content to repeat your order 6 times at a restaurant that only has 4 items on the menu.
8. You're not surprised when 3 men with a ladder show up to change your light bulb
9. You wear the same pair of underwear everyday because your maid does the laundry daily.
10. You are no longer startled when you see a 12-year old driving a motorbike while smoking.

Tea Plantation

My Indonesian Heritage group organized a walking/hiking trip to a nearby tea plantation yesterday. It was wonderful to spend 3hrs walking outside, breathing in some fresh air while working up a sweat. The workers of the plantation get to live on the grounds while they are able to work. Thus, the little village is jam packed with young children. It's always so nice to meet local kids and put a smile on their face by something as simple as taking their picture and saying "hello". We had a nice local lunch at a nearby resort restaurant after our hike. Unfortunately the day ended on a sour note as I spent 4hrs in the car coming home - traffic everywhere! I think I'll stay away from that area for while - it's left me a bit scarred.

Lombok

We've just returned from a relaxing holiday in Lombok, an island near Bali however a lot more quiet and pristine. We decided to take our wonderful nanny along this time to enjoy the evenings. Our resort room was perfect for our needs - 2 bedrooms, living/dining room and kitchenette, all for just over $100 CAD. Josh and Jen met up with us on day 2 with their amazing Thailand and Bali stories. We spent the next 2 days just hanging out, catching up, and watching Maya in the pool. The kid cannot get enough of hopping, swimming, splashing and anything else you can do in a kiddie pool. She is not so keen however on the ocean, a little too messy, loud and scary. The following day we ventured out on the "Dolphin" to the Gili islands. The highlight of our trip was snorkeling off the coast of Gili Air. We saw tons of beautiful, colorful fish, huge lobsters and a sea turtle! We ate like kings, enjoyed the sunshine and enjoyed each other's company ... it doesn't get better than that! Until next time Lombok (which may be sooner than later).

Things that make you go hmm ...

How is it possible that you show up at a Japanese restaurant and they are out of sushi but yet serve you cooked fish? Why is it when you ask for no sugar in your drink, it comes instead with a sugary syrup? When have you ever gone to a bank that rejected to buy your American bill because it has a fold in it? What would you do if people constantly tried to touch your child and take pictures of her? Who would you complain to when no one understands what you're saying? Where does one start to help the countless mouths begging for food and money? These are some of the frustrating elements about living in Indonesia. Some we have come to grin and bear, trying to stay composed in times of frustration. Yet others, the ones that really matter, are so difficult to see and understand. The key to living happily here, is to acknowledge to ourselves each and every day how extremely lucky and blessed we are to have all that we have. If there is one thing I will take away from this experience, it is that.