Home- Wrapping up the Blog

Hi there!!

So I am back and trying to get my sleeping clock back to to USA time!!  So as you know this trip was also part of a class and I also received a scholarship as well. So I wanted to included my reflection for my class in this blog and the power-point that I have do for the scholarship.  After that I will no longer post on this blog because the trip is over!!! The travel bug has hit and I am already looking for my next trip.  Thanks for all of your support and following the blog.

Here are even more photos!!

Last School Visit

On our last school visit, they rolled out the red carpet. We visited 115 Junior High. When we arrived at the school the students were in two rows you know like when they announce the starting line up at basketball game, well it was like that. All 9 of us stepped out the van and walk and waved as the students played the drums and saluted us, once we got to the end of the line they placed on us these scarves from North Sumatra on the east side if the Java Island.  They were very pretty and were all in different colors.  They told us that they mean may God bless you always. We were all like wow!!!  Then we were led into the Principal office where we were given some snacks, water and coffee.

We were divided into what classrooms we were going to visit.  We were not prepared to teach a class not one bit!! The teachers were handing off dry eraser marker like we know what we were doing!!  I was like really; I have no idea what I am supposed to be doing and how long I am going to be doing it! So we asked them what they knew about America and what did they want to know about America.  They looked at us like we had 3 heads. We later figured out that the students were not used to being asked questions, they are used to the banking model of teaching, where the teacher deposits information into the students the student then goes off and makes meaning on their own rather than  challenging the  teacher and having a dialogue back and forth, that is seen as disrespectful. Well we then played a game of Heads down 7-up- LOL!!!!!!! They loved it and really got into it and so did the teacher he was laughing and tossing his head back.

Once we were done there we were lead to the multipurpose room where the other teachers were and the students preformed a traditional welcome dance. We also got a couple of songs from their choir that really look like they should be on Glee they were good!! We gave our presentation of Iowa State University.  There was a lot of questions about scholarships and information about how to study in the US.  At every school we went to we were asked about scholarships for study and how to study in America.  They gave a presentation of their school accomplishments. Then we ate lunch.  It was really a nice day!!

The van that we have been riding in, we refer to the Golden Chariot, the van broke down while we were in Jakarta at the Junior High School.   The day before we heard noise that sounded like a fan belt but we blew it off and got stuck in Jakarta! The junior high Principal Ms. Maria gave us her personal driver and the school van to take us back to Cikarang. Just as we were about to leave 6 pizzas from pizza hut was deliver to the van!!! This really made our day and the trip.  The cup of hostility was over flowing and we were very appreciative.We got back in just enough time to freshen up and head over to Mr. Johns for our farewell BBQ at his home.

This was in a bathroom that I was in!!

Check out theses side burns!!

An observation of Regulation

Here are some observations that I have made as I have travel around Indonesia.  Mind you it works for Indonesia and Indonesians. I have grown appreciative of my time here in Indonesia.

1. Car Exhaust- We see people wearing mask as they drive and the air pollution here is the worst.
2. Amount of people allowed to ride on the motorcycle- we see whole families and the family pet on some of these bikes, it looks like a circus act.
3. Speed limit- I have not seen one sign that indicate the minimum or maximum speed limit, sometimes it looks like the Autobahn in Germany.
4. Amount of people allowed to ride on the back of the truck- Once again there was like a whole soccer team on the back cheering because I guess they won.
5. Litter- it is everywhere here it looks like multicolored snow as we drive throughout Indonesia.
6. Driving on the shoulder- here it is viewed as another lane here and free for everyone to use.
7. Street Food Vendors- every 5 feet there is someone selling some type of food that is made in their home or on their street vendor trolley/wagon. I saw someone with a cast iron pot over some burning coals with food inside cooking it in his wagon. They we saw this guy with 2 water dispensers tied to the front of his basket with rows of ice lemon tea packets dangling from basket. Anyone can sell what they want where they want to.
8. No smoking in public places- I was in Starbucks and located on the table was a sign that said no smoking but at several tables there were people smoking and they had ash trays that were given to them.  

Interacting with the locals

So we visited the Monas, by the way my camera battery died so no pictures until the group shares with each other, so any way the Monas is the National Monument of Indonesia, it looks a lot like the Washington Monument in DC and when you walk all the way to the end, where the plaque is that explains in Indonesia what you are looking at, it looks like the national mall reflection pool. 

As we were exploring the monument we were approached by several street vendors to buy everything from whistles that sound like a crying distressed baby, sunglasses, flying hand kites, and handmade note cards. We posed for the picture in front of the monument, and you know that everyone wants one with their camera so Mr. John our tour guide had an arm full of cameras but we had several other people taking our photos, they were the street photo vendors, they had travel printer and were able to print out the picture by the time Mr. John took our picture will all the cameras then they tried to under bid each other so we would buy it! You cannot knock the hustle it is in the DNA of Indonesia. 

We visited the National museum at about 4:10pm and it closes at 5pm, so we rushed in and tried to see everything we could in 50 minutes. The museum was nice but packed with everything from the entire country, at one point there were 17,000 islands but with global warming and the water levels rising they have lost some island and it is down to about 14, 000.  We have been on the Island of Java, the other island have a travel time that is too long for us with our short trip.  Bali is the most touristy island, I will have to come back to see that one. 

We went to dinner at this place called Eastern Promise, it had food from all over, I had some Chicken Tikka Masala. It was soooo good and I know I that I am going to pay for it in the morning with a visit to bathroom but I don’t care!  I and the other African Americans finally interacted with someone who looks like us, I was like HEY!!! Scott is his name, he is a broker from the UK he was here on Holiday (Vacation is what the WE call it). We did the usually chit chat, then more of his friends came over to be nosy.  There will Stacy and Todd, whom they said they call Barak Obama caused he looked like him; I was like not really but ok. They were like yes is does, Todd put on your glasses; I was like every black man that wears glasses does not look like to Barak Obama!!!  They changed the subject to the fact that we have not had  hot water since we have been in Indonesia, they laughed at us and was like where are you staying  a village, we were like yes!!!!!!!!!  The food and drinks was good, I was able to have my regular drink Easy Living (combination of fruit juices on the rocks) over in Indonesia, that made me miss Ames and Café B, 2 days to go till I am home! 

Automotives in Indonesia

Ok so as we have been driving back and forth to Jakarta from Cikarang (President University) I have noticed many different kind of cars on the road here.  They have Toyota, Honda, Isuzu, Suzuki and an Australian brand. You know we have Civic, Carolla, their names here are Honda Freed, Toyota Breeze. So I looked up the cars difference, they have different standards than we in the US have.  For example the exhaust system is not like ours, the amount of emission that is let out is way more than ours, these cars would not pass an emission test in the states.  The seat belts are not the same either, as I road in the front of the Isuzu (that is the van that we have been transported in) the seat belts are not the same as in the US.  There don't retract and fit snug around your waists/lap, you know as a little kid you could just have the lap belt on and take the strap that fits across your chest and put it around your back,  well as a grown adult I could do that too!!! I was like this is not safe as at all!!!  Standards are different here.  I love the car names like Freed and  Breeze.  As you all remember they have motorcycles here, like every one has one.  Since I have been here I have seen 7 trailer trucks filled with motorcycles, they do not need any more motorcycles on the road here!!!!!

Mosquito bite on my lip

 

OMG I have a mosquito bite on my lip!!  They have eaten me up all over my forehead and arms.  I try not to scratch and I put some cream on it to stop the itch.  Today we went to  Universities Peilitas Harapan (UPH).  Remember we visited the elementary school last week.  This was the university side of the Harapn school system. They had very nice facilities and they treated us to lunch.  We then battled our way through traffic to come back to President University to plant trees. Each of us will have a tree with our name on it, date and university.  I have a mango tree, pictures soon to come.  Tonight we are eating pizza together, I am excited to see how Indonesians do pizza.  Today is my one and only brother, Aaron Holmes birthday he is 30th years old!! Happy Birthday to him!!

Someone ask me what I think of Indonesia so far I had to ponder that question for a moment so that I can really reflect about what I think about my time here.  It is hot here, but there are times when the humidity is not too bad and there is breeze in the trees.  The people are very nice and humble.  They are grateful for what they have and will share everything they have with you.   They are a hard working people.  I was not ready for just how much development Indonesia was going through, but there is so much room for growth here at Presidents University and in general.  The partnership that Indonesia is creating with USA and Australia, for example, is setting Indonesia up for success in the area of Higher Education.

I know that I have an interest in International Education but I don't know what direction but I do know that more African American need to travel abroad because the stares that we are getting are too much!!

 

 

 

 

 

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"The best way to travel for free, is to get lost in a good book." ~ Me

Here are some more photos!!!

Here are some observations that I have had while in Indonesia

1. Traffic is crazy and they drive crazy but I have not seen one accident
2. There are no squirrels here, for real!!
3. Spelling in Indonesia: Komputer, Teknik, Amerika
4. Always ask what is in the food, I almost ate cow brains it looked like chicken with some curry sauce
5. They are curious about how Americans feel about Islam. 
6. They do have HOV lanes here and people make money by getting in the car so that you have enough people in your car.
7. Hustling is an everyday life over here- Everyday they hustling, Everyday they hustling (just like the rap song)
8. Construction workers don’t really wear shoes, or maybe they do but when I see them they don’t have on shoes!

Here are some photos!!

Today was a good day!

We went to a public school today that gave us a great presentation; I mean they were prepared for us. First of all we had to change the leaving time due to the traffic in Jakarta, because we were late the other school visit.  So we battled the traffic and made it to Public School 70.  Where we were greeted to sign their guest book and given a book on the school that I accidently left there but it was in Indonesia so if I need it I can look at someone else’s. Then we were instructed to mingle with the students and sit with them.  They all stood and told us their names.  They the students danced for us a traditional west Java dance.  It was nice and their outfits were very colorful.  The dance reminded me of the way Black Greeks organization step; it had lot of hand movements and clapping. Then they gave a presentation about their school, we were brought a snack to eat with water.  They love room temp water so you know I love that- but they don’t do 4 lemons like I like it.  They we gave a presentation about Iowa State University.  Then Cameron was called to demonstrate how to toss a football with 3 different groups of students. Then Dr. Hagedorn proceeded to give a presentation of Great American Football. They we sang the ISU fight song I think like 3 times.  The funny thing was it was the first time many of us sang it so you can imagine what that sounded like.

They gave us another dance and we took pictures with them as a group.  A group of kids got up and played a violin, and 3 guitars for us they sound really good and the young lady had a really good voice. I thanked God that it was not that hot today because I know a school tour was coming so I did not sweat that much today.  Oh yeah the basketball was today but the tour was long to we ended up playing a game of knock out.  I have not touched a basketball in like 6 years!!  But I did ok.  We had lunch with the teachers and they explained the food what was in it how to eat it and what to put on it.  Then we had some fruit and sweets, they explained how to open the fruit and what it taste like.   Now they really knew how to host us.  I ate this fruit called Harry Fruit and it was good and Mangosteen both was sweet and had a different taste.  

Indonesian National Park and Birthday Celebration

Today we went to the Indonesia national park. This park is like Six Flags in the US but with more culture.  It is huge and there is stuff to see all over the place. It has a cable car ride that spans across the entire park.  We walked the entire park; we went into one of the museums on Indonesian History. There was AC inside this place so you know I read every sign and examine every exhibit. It felt soooo good to be inside. 

Then we continued to walk we saw the architectures of the buildings; they were designed to show the different styles from the different regions across Indonesia. 

Then we saw these two characters we have no idea who they are supposed to be but I know they were hot because I was sweating buckets!!! After the picture they asked for money and asked us to put the money into their pouches.

I then purchased some gifts for friends and family back home. Then we got on the cable car to meet the rest of the group back at the meeting spot.  Once I got off the cable car look who greeted me- this little monkey doing tricks for money.  The monkey was so cute but I felt really bad for the monkey, the monkey’s owner had a chain around the monkeys neck was yanking the chain.  I felt bad so I gave the monkey some money and the rest of my water.

So today is Cameron birthday!!! We are all excited to celebrate with him. Today is Sunday and we are trying to find Karaoke that we can do tonight. So we did our driver Mindun knew of a place so he took us this Karaoke spot.  We all know of Asian and their love for Karaoke well we went to this place where you had your own room with your friends for karaoke. It was so funny.  So they gave us the American songs.  When we selected to a song to sing it was accompanied by a video, some of the songs it was the actual video that we see in the states.  For some other songs for example we sang Donna Summer’s She Work Hard for the Money, the video was a white women in a swimsuit on the beach in the shallow water just splashing herself and dipping herself in the water.  So you got some karaoke with soft porn!!!!  Let me tell you one more.  So the song Beat It by Michael Jackson was several White women with scantly bikinis walking around cars and a random set.  All in all we had a great time but most importantly Cameron had a great birthday.

Indonesia National Park

Saved to Serve to Education America to Indonesia version of Six Flags

Ok so this one is going to be long so bear with me.

So we visited a school called SPH. This was a Christian school with a motto of Saved to serve.  The school was mostly Korean students as their parents are living in Indonesia for business industry.   The kids were fun.  We played Jenga, chess, and musical chairs.  We got a tour of the school and saw that music is important to the school.  The day we went to the school it was the last day of school for the kids so imagine what your last day of school was like when you like 8 years old. So we were a treat for them.  So at the end of the day there was a school assembly where they kids did a presentation to us on Indonesia.  Then the gym teacher sang us a song and she has a beautiful voice then she taught us a traditional Indonesian dance that look just like the Electric slide and you know we showed out cause we know the dance.  They were like how did you all know the dance; you all learn the moves so quickly!! I was like, we call that the Bus Stop in Black America!!

Next day we went to Education America where we learned about the American and Indonesian education partnership efforts.  Florida State University, U Mass Amherst, Texas A&M have partnership where the Indonesia will get a degree from there but still do course work here in Indonesia.  It was a very nice facility.  You would have thought we walked into a technology museum as they had on the walls famous American scientists, inventors etc.  On this day I found out I had a fever and was not feeling good at all.  Good thing we brought out own pharmacy with us.  I was able to break the fever and once I got home I slept all afternoon and evening.  But Education America was a nice place. We met some university students who were there for a clean energy seminar and they wanted to meet us.  One of the first questions I got was “What would you suggest to help our traffic in Jakarta?” In my heard I was like, are we going to start with this question- WOW!! I really did not have an answer.  Then they asked me about my schooling and getting a PhD is it hard.  They asked about New York City, but you know me being from Chicago I directed them to that city- told them much friendlier and cleaner- LOL. I don’t really remember much from that day but I did sleep a lot on the bus ride and when I got home.

On Saturday we went shopping, we saw how Batik was made. Batik is the fashion here; it is the print that most Indonesian wears. It can be a very busy pattern to a very simple one. But we know on Fridays, is Batik Fridays.  I made one pattern and it is very hard you need to have a steady hand and have good spatial sense when you want to “free hand” some designs.  Then we traveled to the do the 5k or the Hash Run.  OMG folks it was so humid and hot out there. Let me try and describe this experience for you.  So we paid 60,000 Rupiah or $7.50 USD- cheap right??? This was a run where the trail was marked by confetti like we had to follow these markers along the path and some times you were lead the wrong way and had to double back and look for confetti to get back on the right path.  Ok so you know that part of the Anaconda movie when they were in the forest walking  or the Blair Witch project, that is what it was like, it was not that dark but it was getting their and our Tour Guide Mr. John who works at President University, he was like all about this Hash Run, pulled out his GPS and we followed him, mind you he had like 3 beers before we started the run.  This is who we were are following, and then him and his wife started to argue while we were looking for this damn confetti while we had to fight off mosquitos and plant life!! I was sooooooo ready to be home back in the dorms for a nice cold shower.

In a general sense, I am having a good time. We don’t have internet access we were told we would have. The showers are cold, the size of the cock roaches here are huge and they fly, yes fly!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have not eaten to much of the food as remember I saw them wash their dishes on the side of the road- that just did not sit right with me. I sweat bullets here!!!! Places I did not think would sweat have water dripping down it!!  There is trash everywhere it is not that clean here!! But I am so glad that I went and I got this experience!! It has really made me miss home and be more appreciative of what I have at home. 

That is us at the start of the Hash Run!!