As July
crept up on me I felt this
overwhelming feeling of
panic. It was the realization that my family and I were going to be staying IN Jakarta for a
long time.
24 months.....(longer than 2 pregnancies.... how long it took me to complete graduate school.......
730 days........ or even a two year prison sentence like this crazy guy)....yes this really happened.
Man accused of renting out foreclosed homes gets 2 years! SEATTLE -- The man accused of stealing from banks, homeowners and a loan processing center by illegally taking over foreclosed homes is heading to prison.
Although I don't really see living in JKT as a prison sentence, the honeymoon phase of living here is over. It was fun while it lasted!
VIEWER Discretion Advised: 3 or more posts may seem pessimistic, glum,Debbie downer like, and even discouraging.
What were you doing on July 4th? Were you Going to parades, bbq's, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, games, family reunions? or were you attending Public or private functions celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the GREAT U.S.of A?
It might have looked something like this:
Wanting to make plans and execute a function just does not seem possible here in Jakarta. Why? Because 1) The amount of human beings that live here 2) the decreased Sanitation 3) Sometimes you can find a good taxi sometimes you can not 4) Weather is unpredictable 5) If you want something Exported items are ridiculously expensive 6) traffic congestion.
TO make a really long story short I will explain how a friend of ours was hosting a 4th of July party. She asked me to take care of the decorations, making it look nice etc.
However, 3 days and 13.5 hours later :
I was only able to gather a couple items. balloons: FAILED colored paper: FAILED
ribbon: FAILED, candles: FAILED, red-white-and blue sweet nothings: FAILED You think you dislike Walmart? So did I until I literally went to 9 different places for the few things I found. With some magic and luck I obtained SOME decorative things....homemade banner, centerpieces, bags, oh and even fireworks.
Indonesia though, was doing everything in its power to not allow us a nice simple dinner party for OUR day. That night it became windy, so we moved everything indoors. Then setting up my banner took 2 hours all because of tape. A simple roll of decent tape! That is all I was asking. Then.... the balloons did not make it to the party because traffic was way too bad and they wouldn't be able to make it. Then it rained, and rained, and rained which meant no fireworks. I tried America. I really did.
Even though we were not able to have the traditional Independence day with a parade, bbq, and fireworks, we were in good company. We also made a very memorable FIRST 4th of July in Indonesia.
Although the little details of dinner did not pan out I was with the most important people in my life. All happy and smiling none the less :)
