I get stared at a lot in Ruteng. Although it is the main town (or perhaps city… it has two cathedrals) of the Maggarai province it is well off the tourist track, so the staring is just curiosity although it can make one feel a tad paranoid!
People will often practise a little English on me, if I’m lucky I get ‘hello miss’, more commonly it is ‘hello mister’ and occasionally (and most disconcertingly) it is ‘hello beautiful’! If I am feeling confident – usually in the morning – I reply with a Bahasa greeting, but as the day wears on I become increasing overwhelmed by my new surroundings and keep my head down (quite a sensible move as the pavement is often uneven if not full of deep holes)!
I have started work now. The research project I am ‘leading’ was already well underway before my arrival (in fact the fieldwork is almost completed) so I am in the delicate position of taking over the lead from a well co-ordinated and experienced group of researchers. For the time being, I am adopting an approach similar to the ‘hello misters’: just keeping my head down!
5 comments:
head up old chap - apart from when walking on pavements! Liking the blog - passed on your contact details to the 'crew' - your Mum's a star and passed on your landline as well! dt
Hi there,
Glad to hear that all is going well - the photos you have posted are great, especially in contrast to the weather here which is v grey and wet (so not very like where you are!)
Are the researchers you are taking over from going to be leaving or working with you?
Speak to you soon
Kate x
Chin up girl - just as DT says. Blog great; sounds just like you.
Take care. Sxx
Thanks for your support guys! The researchers are staying on to work with me... all the data from the field is in Indonesian or Manggari so analysis is gonna be fun!
Try this one:
'Bukan mister, missus! They need a bit of gender training, I always felt.
xK.
Post a Comment