Well it’s over two months now, & I am starting to feel a little more at home, but at the same time a little more homesick. I have, on the whole, got over (or got around) missing the material things I craved last month (I’ve bought a kind of duvet to replace the wool blanket, I brought cheese back from Lombok, I’m even growing quite fond of a pair of flat denim ballet shoes!). The things I miss now are more cultural – a glass of red wine in the pub after work; a night out dancing in Windsor; having more than one friend!
On the other hand though I am adapting to my new circumstances – I get ‘hello mistered’ less (or ignore it more); I know where to buy bread, milk, mayonnaise; and I am starting to understand (if not ably communicate in) Bahasa.
But this poses a bit of a problem for the blog… as things become more ‘normal’ what can I write about? It no longer seems strange to me that you can buy green bread, or that I ride a motorbike side-saddle, or that there is no right of way when driving! So let me know through the comment button what you would like to know about & I will compose eloquent witty blogs in response (well eloquent & witty might be a bit optimistic – but I’ll write something anyway!)
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3 comments:
You could always write about the work you are doing,any cultral differences, trials and tribulations you've encountered etc...
Before your surroundings become too 'normal' tell more of what you see and hear, 'day to day' what are the roads like, is there street lighting, from the photos you seem to be on the edge of a jungle, is this so? What wildlife do you see and hear. What are the issues that concern local people, what do they aspire too? What do your fellow workers talk about during breaks? Other than the internet, what media is readily available to local residents.
dad xxx
What about the creepy crawlies? Are there any massive spiders? Will you be over your aversion to creatures with 6 or more legs by the time you return.
Reasons why your friends should consider doing what you're doing, and why they should avoid it at all costs.
Re-visit the question of impact - that argument only just got started. What impact are you having? In research. What affect does your mere presence have on the locals. Is there a net gain?
How do you think you've changed/grown as a person, if at all. How do you think you'll answer that question in 6 months time?
What books are you reading? In fact - what is a 3-a-week book reader to do in a non-english speaking country (is that what we're supposed to be sending to your mail address - I only just read that post).
Why did you go now, and not have a gap year. What's better about doing this now. Do you wish you'd just gone on holiday to Indonesia instead.
You could even go in a more 'Belle du Jour' direction...
Given your 'saucepan' comment - what's it like going without sex for two months - are you gonna make it to a year?!?
You might even get a book out of it.
Or on a more entrepreurial tip (some of the other blogs I read are of that sort)...
What business opportunities are there in Indonesia that the locals haven't noticed. What things need changing - even just a little bit, to make people's lives better.
But do you know what - I reckon you should ignore us lot and just keep doing what you're doing - so what you feel, of course it's going to change as your experience changes but it's been really fun following your journey from our stuffy offices in frosty old England - it's always a day brightener to notice a new post from the RSS feed on my google homepage.
Have fun. Better go, or my comment will be longer than your post!
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