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School of Hard Knocks, Indonesian Style

6/7/2012

13 Comments

 
Picture
This is another installment of Cedar’s Digest, a series of poetic stories about the experiences my husband, Ren Ruslan Feldman, and I are having living for six months in Central Borneo. We are volunteer teachers in a small, innovative Indonesian school. The school is child-centered with a focus on hands-on learning and character development. Classes are taught in English and Indonesian.

“We’re leaving at 4 am?! Wow.
42 of us? 2 buses?”
It’s a National Holiday so school is closed.
Ibu Endah and a few teachers
organize a trip to Banjarmasin,
the biggest city in Central Kalimantan.
The school is paying for buses and meals.

“Send him back here.”
A couple of hours into the journey
Ibu Endah’s littlest son, a 3 year old,
gets handed back to “aunt” Rida and her husband, Hassan
he talks away describing everything he sees.
we pass warung after warung
side by side selling identical items
drinks, snacks, grocery items on open shelves
table and chairs set out under an open air porch
shopkeepers sitting ready
to serve customers who may arrive, or not

Dayak “longhouses” in major desrepair
wooden, on stilts, weathered, a city block long
in the not-too-distant past each longhouse
was occupied by a village of families
a commune/co-housing mix.
We see palm plants, coconut and banana trees,
fields and fields of rice

We see villages built around little waterway roads
boats tied up on the banks
houses on stilts at the very edge of the canal
a woman washing clothes at water’s edge
a man carrying stalks of bananas
in his “klotok” boat with the sound of the motor
trailing behind him

We see Mosques and homes under construction
with thin, lashed poles as scaffolding.
How does this flimsy skeleton actually hold anything up?
“What are these weird concrete square 3 story buildings
with little round holes in the sides?”
“For swallow nest eggs, bu.”
“Are swallows endangered or something?”
“No, for Chinese eating eggs and nest a special thing.”
(Oh yes, I’ve heard of these expensive bird’s nest soups.)

Inside the bus (bis), our teacher friends and their spouses,
other school staff (driver, cooks, handyman, office help)
and their families–kids ranging from 2 to 14, mostly little boys.
This is a family vacation for them.
Many have never been to Banjarmasin, a four-hour drive.
They are pretty excited.
“Gua, Gua, Gua” calls out the “Bus Father,” Pak Baktiar
as he steps over the big spare tire on the floor of the middle of the bus
to pass out water bottles (agua is the brand name),
chocolate cupcakes, and breakfast rice treats wrapped in banana leaves.
Music is loud and jaunty–a Javanese pop group based on
classical Arabic and Javanese rhythms
atmosphere is light, even after two hours
the children are very quiet and easy to be around

the road buffets and bangs us around
the pavement is only wide enough for two narrow cars to pass
the driver moves into the right lane
to see if there is an on-coming car
yes, there is. he moves back behind the truck
he tries again, coast is clear
passes with two wheels in the dirt beside the road
the truck inches away from the car we pass
our driver speeds up as fast as he can
and slides back into left lane
just in time
once again his calculations were good
we speed along
suddenly slow down
pot hole
bump
gravel spot
speed, sudden slow down
jounce, bump, sway, swipe
this is “the way it is” on Indonesian highways

bus slows down and pulls over
the bus ahead has stopped
bus trouble
10 minutes later
changing a tire
Baktiar is directing traffic
30 minutes later
big bus trouble, we guess,
apparently more than a tire is needed
50 minutes later
it’s HOT
no one on the bus complains
not one of the 10 children fusses
no one asks what’s happening,
Ibu Rida hands me a chocolate cupcake

1 hour 10 minutes
“It’s going to take a long time to repair.
Our bus is going to go ahead.
They will send two vans for the people in the other bus.”
Off we go, arriving at noon
4 hour ride becomes 8 hour journey
“Have anything you want. Go up there to order. Sit at tables 6 or 8.”
“Saya mau udang bakar.” “Satu? Dua?” “Satu.”
“I’ll have one large barbecued shrimp.”
open air barbecue restaurant–”Fauzan 2,” it’s called.
All you can eat: chicken, shrimp, fish–all with rice (of course)
soup, baked tofu, corn fritters, sprouts, home made hot sauce (sambal)
long, long picnic tables
good food, happy conversation, but
even the Indonesians are sweating with the heat
hey, we’re eating lunch in the oven!
this is where we find out that our teacher friends
refer to us lovingly as “our ancient ones”
we are indeed ancient in this culture to be 67 and 72
and this active and lively
I try to explain that I am going to my 50th high school reunion
and that my mother is going to her 70th college reunion,
but this is a bridge too far
“50….5 and an 0? 1962? 70….7 and an 0? Your mother is still alive???”
right now I am happy and honored to be one of their ancient ones

We drive around the city
for many, their first view of buildings higher than 3 stories
then go to the mall
for many, this 5 story, modern mall is astonishing
for us, familiar…Kentucky Fried Chicken, big box grocery, Pizza Hut, Body Shop,
A & W that they call “ah way” “Too much effort to say ‘A and double u,’” says Kris.
The A & W motto in Indonesian is “restoran khas Amerika”
(authentic American restaurant).
the furniture warehouse has fancy upholstered living room sets –
Victorian gold wooden swirls with several fabric patterns on each piece

We don’t go to museums, or monuments–I don’t think there are any.
we spend our remaining 4 hours in Banjarmasin
exploring the mall–where everyone goes for a taste of luxury,
a bite of western food, and a respite from the heat
There’s something for everyone at the mall
children’s play area, inexpensive interesting food
luxury window shopping and budget purchase opportunities
eye candy galore
and escalators and decks and spacious open areas–all free

we set out for home at 6
we should be back by 10
children settle down on laps to sleep
the spare tire is converted to a bed for Anon
with a little mattress that appears out of nowhere
Surya puts her hand around him
to keep him from rolling off into the door-well

7:30, the bus pulls over and the driver gets out
we try to sleep
20 minutes later, he gets back in and we take off
the LOUD music returns
our friends are unperturbed
the children sleep
30 minutes later we pull over again
“Do we know what is happening? I ask Ibu Ellis
“The driver is sleepy and needs to rest and smoke.”
40 minutes later, the driver returns and we move again
The bus father goes up to sit in the front with him
Two more stops to check on the broken bus–still where it was left
and help a guy with a broken motorcycle.
We finally arrive back in front of the school at 1 am
what a day!

No one questions, no one demands, no one gets angry
this is “the way it is”
this is the best of Indonesia, where life itself is a gift
and you accept and express gratitude for whatever you are given–
sickness, low paying job, days off, food, broken bus, sleepy bus driver,
why complain? wasted energy…just be grateful

we Westerners could benefit from a gentle and strong infusion
of acceptance, surrender, and gratitude
At the end of the day, Surya, our housekeeper, says, “I’m very, very happy, Pak.”
And she is. Always smiling. Smart, bright, grateful.
Perhaps this infusion could bring a relaxation, appreciation, and happiness
that we long for

the Indonesians could benefit from a gentle and strong infusion
of energy to create, to change, to move ahead
We have a lot to offer each other
There’s a “zone” along the continuum from extreme surrender to extreme willfulness
where we could all be happier and healthier
and where the most lively question is:
when to accept what is and when to change what is
and where the most lively process is that of
growing into the wisdom of knowing the difference

(Image: stock.xchng/johnnyberg)

13 Comments
ERIC BRUNT
9/7/2019 06:02:08 am

i am ERIC BRUNT by name. Greetings to every one that is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my wife after three(3) years of marriage just because another Man had a spell on her and she left me and the kid to suffer. one day when i was reading through the web, i saw a post on how this spell caster on this address AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com have help a woman to get back her husband and i gave him a reply to his address and he told me that a man had a spell on my wife and he told me that he will help me and after 3 days that i will have my wife back. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my wife. Thanks for helping me Dr Akhere contact him on email: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com
or
call/whatsapp:+2349057261346




i am ERIC BRUNT by name. Greetings to every one that is reading this testimony. I have been rejected by my wife after three(3) years of marriage just because another Man had a spell on her and she left me and the kid to suffer. one day when i was reading through the web, i saw a post on how this spell caster on this address AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com have help a woman to get back her husband and i gave him a reply to his address and he told me that a man had a spell on my wife and he told me that he will help me and after 3 days that i will have my wife back. i believed him and today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the power to bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my wife. Thanks for helping me Dr Akhere contact him on email: AKHERETEMPLE@gmail.com
or
call/whatsapp:+2349057261346

Reply
deja merald
5/7/2021 09:07:15 pm

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Reply
Alex Chrissy
7/8/2021 05:34:33 pm

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Hello everyone, i don't know the reason why some people is finding it difficult to believe that there is a cure for herpes virus, i was browsing the internet searching for help when i came across lot of testimonies shared by a lot of people on how Dr. sayo cured diabetes, cancer, hiv/aids, fibrold, hsv, pad, hpv, etc.... i was so much in need of getting his treatment so i contacted Dr. sayo and told him i have herpes since last 3 years and then Dr. sayo brought smile to my face with his herbal medicine i am happy that i am cured from herpes with herbal medicine prepared by Dr. sayo the great herbal healer, i am so much happy today that we have someone like this great healer out there, so everyone out there kindly contact this great healer on his email address: sayoherbalhealer@gmail.com or whatsapp him on: +2349012175679
visit his website: http://sayoherbalhome.com/
visit his FB page: https://www.facebook.com/SayoHerbalHealer
please sir keep your good work cause there are people out there who is in need of your healing herbal medicine thank you.

Reply
Sharon Wayne
11/4/2020 05:46:49 am

I want to thank Dr Emu a very powerful spell caster who help me to bring my husband back to me, few month ago i have a serious problem with my husband, to the extend that he left the house, and he started dating another woman and he stayed with the woman, i tried all i can to bring him back, but all my effort was useless until the day my friend came to my house and i told her every thing that had happened between me and my husband, then she told me of a powerful spell caster who help her when she was in the same problem I then contact Dr Emu and told him every thing and he told me not to worry my self again that my husband will come back to me after he has cast a spell on him, i thought it was a joke, after he had finish casting the spell, he told me that he had just finish casting the spell, to my greatest surprise within 48 hours, my husband really came back begging me to forgive him, if you need his help you can contact him with via email: Emutemple@gmail.com or add him up on his whatsapp +2347012841542 is willing to help any body that need his help. 

Reply
Brittany Seiber
5/14/2021 08:13:07 am

To know more about Chief Dr Lucky you can visit his website (https://chiefdrluckyherbaltherapy.wordpress.com/)
 
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Reply
Caillo Lisa
6/14/2021 01:06:38 pm

This is another testimony on how Chief Dr Lucky cured my HIV disease. Do you need a cure for your HIV disease? Do you want to be cured from your cancer disease? Or you want to be free from any type of disease. Kindly visit his website https://chiefdrluckyherbaltherapy.wordpress.com/ . He just cured my HIV disease and I’m very grateful to him, he is the only herbalist that can cure you.  
WhatsApp number : +2348132777335 
Via Email : chiefdrlucky@gmail.com
Thank you all for reading,
God bless"

Reply
Alex Chrissy
7/8/2021 05:34:44 pm

DR SAYO HERBAL HEALER HAS THE CURE TO ALL DEADLY DISEASE/VIRUS AND ILLNESS.
Hello everyone, i don't know the reason why some people is finding it difficult to believe that there is a cure for herpes virus, i was browsing the internet searching for help when i came across lot of testimonies shared by a lot of people on how Dr. sayo cured diabetes, cancer, hiv/aids, fibrold, hsv, pad, hpv, etc.... i was so much in need of getting his treatment so i contacted Dr. sayo and told him i have herpes since last 3 years and then Dr. sayo brought smile to my face with his herbal medicine i am happy that i am cured from herpes with herbal medicine prepared by Dr. sayo the great herbal healer, i am so much happy today that we have someone like this great healer out there, so everyone out there kindly contact this great healer on his email address: sayoherbalhealer@gmail.com or whatsapp him on: +2349012175679
visit his website: http://sayoherbalhome.com/
visit his FB page: https://www.facebook.com/SayoHerbalHealer
please sir keep your good work cause there are people out there who is in need of your healing herbal medicine thank you.

Reply
Roshima Laken
7/25/2021 09:03:33 am

DR EMU WHO HELP PEOPLE IN ANY TYPE OF LOTTERY NUMBERS
It is a very hard situation when playing the lottery and never won, or keep winning low fund not up to 100 bucks, i have been a victim of such a tough life, the biggest fund i have ever won was 100 bucks, and i have been playing lottery for almost 12 years now, things suddenly change the moment i came across a secret online, a testimony of a spell caster called dr emu, who help people in any type of lottery numbers, i was not easily convinced, but i decided to give try, now i am a proud lottery winner with the help of dr emu, i won $1,000.0000.00 and i am making this known to every one out there who have been trying all day to win the lottery, believe me this is the only way to win the lottery.

Contact him on email Emutemple@gmail.com
What's app +2347012841542
Website Https://emutemple.wordpress.com/
Https://web.facebook.com/Emu-Temple-104891335203341

Reply
Michael DeBruin
8/31/2021 03:43:57 am

My wish right now is that God should continue to bless Dr Emu for his good works towards the life of those people who are heart broken. My name is Michael DeBruin and I am from the USA, it's been a while since my lover's attitude changed from being the caring type she has been to me, but later turned out not to be caring at all. But not long, I later discovered that my lover was having an affair with someone else. and also she told me she doesn't need me after all we pass through then a friend told me about a spell caster. that with the spell I will get back my woman, I took his cell number then called him and also what's-app him which he reply to me and I did some sacrifices to the spell man and he bought the items for me which he used for the sacrifices and later called me that before 48 hours my love will come back to me and now we are more in love with each other than ever. you can reach him on WhatsApp +2347012841542 or reach him via mail ; emutemple@gmail.com , my lover returned back and broke up with the other guy she was having a relationship with... Thank you Dr Emu.

Https://emutemple.wordpress.com/

Https://web.facebook.com/Emu-Temple-104891335203341

Reply
Ric Clayton
9/11/2021 06:38:20 am

I really want to thank Dr Emu for saving my marriage. My wife really treated me badly and left home for almost 3 month this got me sick and confused. Then I told my friend about how my wife has changed towards me. Then she told me to contact Dr Emu that he will help me bring back my wife and change her back to a good woman. I never believed in all this but I gave it a try. Dr Emu casted a spell of return of love on her, and my wife came back home for forgiveness and today we are happy again. If you are going through any relationship stress or you want back your Ex or Divorce husband you can contact his whatsapp +2347012841542 or email emutemple@gmail.com website: Https://emutemple.wordpress.com/

Reply
Melanie Case
11/23/2021 03:47:24 am

Hello Everyone out there,I am here to give my testimony about a Herbalist doctor who helped me . I was infected with HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS in 2011, i went to many hospitals for cure but there was no solution, so I was thinking how can I get a solution out so that my body can be okay. One day I was in the river side thinking where I can go to get solution. so a lady walked to me telling me why am I so sad and i open up all to her telling her my problem, she told me that she can help me out, she introduce me to a doctor who uses herbal medication to cure HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS and gave me his email, so i mail him. He told me all the things I need to do and also give me instructions to take, which I followed properly. Before I knew what is happening after two weeks the HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS that was in my body got vanished . so if you are also heart broken and also need a help, you can also email him at {oliha.miraclemedicine@gmail.com}
or whatsapp him number: +2349038382931. or website is https://olihamiraclemedicine.webs.com/
Contact him today and you will have a testimony...Good luck!

Dr. OLIHA Also Cures:
1. HIV/AIDS
2. HERPES 1/2
3. CANCER
4. ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
5. Hepatitis B
6. chronic pancreatic
7. Emphysema
8. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Reply
Wilson Fox
6/9/2022 12:27:04 pm

I suffered from what they called peripheral artery disease (PAD). I have been suffering for years, Me and my wife searched for a medical cure, and then we came across a testimony of a man who suffered the same and was cured by Dr Chief Lucky. So my wife and I contacted Dr Chief Lucky via an email and thank God he replied. I explained what was wrong and he sent me herbal medicines that helped heal me completely. I am happy to say that herbal medicine is the ultimate and Dr Chief Lucky I am grateful. You can contact him on his email: chiefdrlucky@gmail.com or whatsapp: +2348132777335, Facebook page: http://facebook.com/chiefdrlucky or website: https://chiefdrlucky.com/. Dr Chief Lucky said that he also specializes in the following diseases: LUPUS, ALS, CANCER, HPV, HERPES, DIABETES, COPD, HEPATITIS B, HIV AIDS, And more.

Reply
Isabella N link
6/26/2022 06:48:29 pm

Nice blog thhanks for posting

Reply



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