Kathryn’s time in Indonesia was mainly spent in Aceh – a Muslim area in the western corner of Indonesia. So I think for her Flores – a Catholic area in eastern Indonesia – was almost like visiting a completely different country. She seemed impressed with the beautiful mountainous topography and cool climate, shocked by the visible poverty, fascinated by the Catholic iconography, and confused by the correct way to dress (Aceh is ruled by sharia law so for her the decision to cover shoulder to ankle was clear cut, Flores cultural mores are more subtle & I think she was concerned that my beachwear in Labuanbajo was a little risqué). But all the same, the language was still Indonesian (and her bahasa was far better than mine will ever be) and I was, perhaps for the first time, proud of my new hometown of Ruteng.
shocking beachwear!
Next week I take a break from Indonesia. I am taking a couple of weeks holiday & am going to visit Thailand. I think / hope that this Asian country (which is actually closer to Flores than Aceh is) will give me a new view on Asian culture and perhaps even a new view on Flores when I return. I am taking the trip on my own, so I guess it may also give me a new view on myself – a chance to see how my confidence has developed over these last months.
But before I leave I must finish the first draft of my research report. I have been working solidly on it for weeks and it is getting to the stage where it could do with a fresh pair of eyes, so give me a shout if you are willing to donate yours!
4 comments:
I'm happy to take a look at your research report, on a couple of conditions:
- it's intended to have 'impact' (ref: previous blog post and comment)
- you make some comment on the long and bitter (not really ;-) argument me and anon had on your last post. How can you start such an argument and not respond at all???
Happy to look Whitters
dt
PS - not sure why I didnt sign my blog, bitter or otherwise! PS - I'll post something for K's benefit soon, but, looking at his post I fear that he';s not really up to mkaing as much of it as I would have expected/or hoped
dt
I had hoped to add a comment to the previous blog, but other commentators were quicker off the mark and very fulsome. I recall a quotation, which may have lost something in translation from the original German, but I share it with you:
Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. It is the opium of the people. Karl Marx
I believe he might have had a point!
Dad
Mmm.. I worried I might have seemed more critical than intended! Apologies. I don't think your beach wear was risque; but it came up at a heated moment about culture norms, and I was more personal than I intended. Sorry.
Actually what surprised me most about Flores was how similar it was to Aceh. Same poverty, only women in Aceh wouldn't wash using the tap by the open road.
thank you so much for having me - it was excellent to see you and Flores. xK.
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