Let's Go Fly a Kite

Upon arriving in Indonesia, one might see a variety of things that makes one scratch his head, like...

strings hanging from the power lines

...or what looks like paper in the trees (did someone get TPed?)

But one might begin to put the pieces together after seeing...

...these boys beside the street, one staring into the sky

...still don't know, no problem he looks confused too, but check out the boy on top of the fence, what's he doing?

Here's a closer look...

Check out the focus, and what's that in his hand? 

These boys are trying to get this activity started in an empty
lot after the early morning market has cleared out.  But their
KITES are still on the ground, looks like they need more wind.

And finally, I came upon these young men in an open field on the edge of town one day while walking home...

They can fly those kites from a distance...look closely

That young man wasn't alone, there's several with him in this open field, and many more that I saw in a field a little farther down the hill.

After talking with a few of these young men, I think they sometimes try to have a "fight" of sorts with their kites in the air.  If I'm not mistaken, that would sure take some flying skill.  All the kites I've seen are made of paper and light wood and cost 500 rupia (5 cents), but I'm told they can also be made of a light material that may also be used to make banners.  Overall it appears to be a fun activity enjoyed mainly by small boys and even some teenagers.  But watch out for those power lines...

Places for Soccer in Indonesia

As I've traveled around parts of Bandung, I continue to be amazed at the different places boys use to play soccer.  During my daily walks to school I often see them in the street or down their gang (a small street) kicking the ball back and forth or playing small game with a few friends.  Its usually only boys and they tend to play in the sandals most of them wear all day or barefoot.  There are a few places used for competitions, and those fields that I’ve seen tend to be overused and beaten down.

School - boys playing in front of the school on a sort of patio area

Back yard - a small game between 2 girls and 3 boys, no need for an even number

Gang - in the neighborhood near my house, a 4 man game

No out of bounce in this game, play it off the walls

Beside the river at a boarding school - this spot was cleared recently  so the boys would have a place to play.  Before they were using a small place, like a patio, in front of the school.  This spot is much bigger, but watch your step, out of bounds is the river on one side and a trash pile on the other.  I've seen them retrieving the ball from the river a few times!

In the neighborhood - no that's not a basketball goal, it’s a light on the left.  I have yet to pass here when its dark, but the light suggests they may play late.  It’s deserted now probably because they boys are at school.  This spot also has a small stream beside it, which the boys have to frequently retrieve the ball from.

In the neighborhood (close to my house) - this spot is just off the gang in front of one house (notice the gate) and behind another.  Nearly every afternoon these boys can be found here playing soccer.  Sometimes they'll make three teams and rotate, with the winner staying on.  If you kick it over the wall (on the left), you must climb the wall & retrieve it from the garden/weeds/deserted area on the other side.  The goal keeper on the right is wearing a replica red jersey from the national team who recently had a successful showing in the SE Asia tournament.

Large grass field - on the edge of town I came across this large grass lot with goals at either end.  The tall grass and trash on the field makes me think it probably hasn't been used in a while.

University field @ ITB - This field appears to be used quite often by teams of all ages and frequently.  Even though the middle of the field is worn to dirt, it's one of the few grass fields I've seen.

While I have yet to play seriously, I occasionally enjoy joining some of the boys near my house when they play a small game.  While my skills don't match their's, my size helps in the small spaces.  There is also a professional league in Indonesia, and the team in Bandung is called Persib.  Whenever they play, the game is on tv and watched by many in the city.  Yes, soccer is popular in Indonesia!

Sundanese Wedding

Recently I had the privilege to attend a traditional Sundanese (the local people group) wedding.  I didn't actually know the couple, but had befriended the bride's sister and her husband (pictured below).  The entire event, ceremony and reception, was held at the bride's family's house.  Therefore, many days of preparation were necessary leading up to this Saturday celebration.  I was invited to come early so I could see all that would take place.  When I arrived, chairs had been put set out for the guests, the food was cooked and waiting, and decorations were up.

Around 9am, the bride and her family were ready and awaiting the arrival of the groom and his family.  They seemed to be a little nervous, especially after he came a bit late, probably because of traffic.  

Eventually the groom and his family arrived with a line of family and friends behind them.  They were greeted by the family of the bride.  Both sets of parents were wearing similar clothing as can be seen in the photo above.  The mother of the bride placed a necklace of sorts made of flowers around the neck of the groom (wearing white).  After the "welcoming ceremony" the guests who followed the groom and his family seated themselves in the shade of a nearby building for the next half hour, as they listened as I think was a blessing and prayer was given for the new couple.

Following the ceremony outside, the event moved inside, where the groom was now joined by his bride.   They were seated side-by-side in front of a table with the village leader seated on the opposite side of the table and their families seated behind them.  There they completed what I would call the paper work, were prayed for once again, and made their vows.  After this ceremony, the reception began!  The bride and groom changed into red clothes instead of the white they were previously wearing and began to receive the guests.  They, along with their parents, greeted every person who attended, like a receiving line.  Some guests stopped for a picture too!

After greeting the bride and groom, people walked through the house to the dining area and enjoyed some delicious food!  This meal included a salad, potatoes, a mixed salad of meat and vegetables, and of course rice.

The reception lasted until about 3 or 4 in the afternoon.  Afterwards, the family relaxed together and the couple got a chance to eat.  Some of the family helped clean up, but the majority of the work was left for the newly married couple, who I was able to snap a couple of shots of afterwards.  They didn't have a honeymoon to hurry off to, but were washing the dishes from about 200 guests.

          

Overseas Mail

There is still much to learn about the mailing process in Indonesia, but at this point I have a few experiences to share from.  There were a couple options in how I wanted to receive mail.  One would be to have it delivered to my house and the second option I knew of was to get a P.O. Box.  Both systems appear to be similar to the U.S., although I've noticed the mailman delivers mail using a motorcycle.  With the mail I've sent and received, it seems to take about 2-3 weeks for a package and around 1 week for a letter.  The post office I use (pictured below) is about a 15 minute walk or 5 minute angkot ride from my house, but if I want to mail a package to the U.S. I must go to the main post office in downtown Bandung.

Public Transportation - Angkot

Since arriving in Indonesia I've been getting around by foot, borrowing a ride from friends, and by angkot.  The angkot is similar to taking a bus in the inner city back in the states.  Although as a farm boy I don't recall taking the bus except to go to school, but I've now experienced the angkot several times in Bandung.  Here's an explanation...

There are numerous angkots around the city, so once you reach a main street its easy to find one, but the problem for a foreigner (and maybe even for some nationals) is knowing the right angkot to take.  The angkots run different routes through the city and usually have terminals where they start and stop.  Thankfully the angkots are color coordinated and state the terminals they run to and from.  I've only got a few of them down so far, but have enough language that I can usually get to the place I'm going by asking the drivers or the many friendly Indonesians.  If one's destination is far, they'll usually have to ride a few different angkots.

Sometimes a person may ride alone or with a few others, but the drivers seem to like to get the most people possible inside an angkot.  Therefore, they can be quite crowded with two people in the front seat with the driver and maybe up to 12 on the bench seats in the back lining the sides of the angkot (children excluded because they can sit on laps).  If you want to get out, simply say "kiri" ("left" or in this case "pull over") and the driver pulls over, or if getting on, raise your hand at the next angkot.  The driver's desire to fill the angkot often becomes the frustration of those riding because the driver will sometimes pull over and wait for people to come on for several minutes before going again.  Thus, a second form of public transportation is the ojek, motorcyle with driver - quicker, usually for short distances.  Taxis are also available.  The angkot is certainly the cheapest with the price running about $.20/mile.  In perspective, a good meal can be purchased for about $1.

Here's some photos of a few different angkots and some shots from the inside of a full angkot.

 

Walking through the Hills of West Java

Almost a month and a half ago, one of my roommates and I took a walk from our house to the nearby hills/mountains north of Bandung (the city I am living in).  We walked up hill for about two hours, so a round trip totaling four hours.  It wasn't what I would normally experience on Christmas Eve, with temperatures in the 70s and partly-cloudy skies, which provided a nice sunburn when I returned.  But the scenery was amazing and I learned a little about the Indonesian countryside.  Here's some photos from our journey.

Towards the outskirts of Bandung, we came across several nice houses like this one.   There is also a national forest to the north of Bandung, which we walked alongside for part of our trail.

The higher we went, the more and more farm ground we saw.  I'm not sure of all crops they grow, but there's certainly a variety.

Of course we came across some Indonesian people out working!  I'm not sure what the woman and man are carrying in the photo above, but it appeared to be a crop recently harvested.  The group of men and women, old and young, to the left, were taking a break from their work in the field.

We came upon this village as we walked farther up the hill.  We only attracted a few stares.

And finally here's the view from our stopping point!  Looking down on the town of Lembang in the distance with the forest in the foreground and to the left.

Tenis Meja

Walking through the nearby neighborhood recently I came upon this sight...

Where rubble and trash had once collected amongst a few plants, a ping-pong table now stood.  Two men were playing while several children watched on.

After talking with some of the onlookers, I learned that members of the community had pooled their money to purchase the ping-pong table and the sign stated that one gentleman had given the land for the purpose of placing the table there.  Now the youth and men of the community enjoy playing here often in the afternoons.  When it rains the table is folded up and moved under a nearby shelter until the next time they want to play.  I would guess ping-pong probably ranks 6th in popularity behind the leading sports of soccer, futsol (like indoor soccer), badminton, volleyball, and basketball.  I might join them in a game one of these days, as I try to rekindle the skills from the days  of playing with my brothers in the basement of our house.