Indonesia - Day 13 - May 13, 2011

Day 13 -- May 13
Location: Bandung, Java

Friday the 13th -- I hope there's no bad luck for any of us today.
Today is our last day in Bandung.

I woke early 4:00 AM, which is the time our household starts stirring -- not bad if you go to bed at 9:00; not to good if it's closer to midnight.

Today we go to the television station for interviews. I don't know if we will get to see the telecast tonight or not, we may not be home to watch it.



On the set at the television studio.


Then, this afternoon we are going to the University to talk with students (50-75 of them) and faculty about education in the US and Indonesia. The panel/presenters from our group will be Phil (college professor), Alan (teacher) and Marcia (educational administrator & voc. ed.). They are all retired, but a wealth of knowledge AND willing to speak on behalf of our group and the US. I suspect this will turn into another very official encounter. At least we were given a couple days notice on this one :)



Another huge buffet at the University.
This was served after a gigantic spread
of appetizers about half an hour earlier.


Tonight is the farewell party , which will be another occasion for eating and thanking everyone for their wonderful hospitality. MJ and I are curious about what the women from Bandung will wear -- most of them get pretty dressed up every day -- lots of colorful pant suits (with embroidery and appliqués)  and decorative tunics with big jeweled necklaces. And so many layers -- we can't figure out how they can stand it in all the heat! Myrna accessorized me one day with a necklace and scarf wrapped and tied around my neck -- lasted until about 3:00 in the afternoon and then I just had to remove it. It's got to be tough to have your whole body and head covered in 90 degree weather. Another of the mysteries of this experience.

Arifin, the Secretary General of all the Indonesian FF clubs is coming from his home in Jakarta to join us for the farewell party tonight and then will ride with us tomorrow on the train to Yogyakarta. I believe his wife is coming too.



Arifin, me and Dewi at the Farewell Party.
Two of the nicest people I met in Indonesia.
They are both so articulate, thoughtful and helpful.
I was so happy to meet them in person after a year of e-mails.





Me and Mrs. Benny at the Farewell Party.
What a sweetheart she turned out to be.

 Still no visit to an ATM, but maybe Arifin will be able to help us fulfill this need. It's turned into a joke among all of us -- ask every day, they say yes we will do that, but it never happens. Don't know what the disconnect is on this one -- they know what we are talking about, but it just doesn't happen. Add it to the list if mysteries. We've assured everyone that there is enough cash among us to get us to our next destination and, who knows, maybe we'll have better luck getting money in Yogya. :)

For the most part, everyone has been healthy. Mary Gayle was out two days with what they call Bali Belly in Bali. Her husband stayed back yesterday with stomach problems -- he accidentally ate some sort if chile thinking it was carrots and things didn't set well. I don't quite understand that one, but I guess I don't have to. Anyway, the third person, Judi, went to the doctor yesterday with problems unrelated to being here.

Other than that, which isn't too bad considering there are 22 of us and we've all been here over a week, everybody is doing well. Tired, but not sick.
I don't know if I will have a chance to write later or not -- time will tell. Don't know how long the party will last and its an early start tomorrow -- the train leaves at 8:00 AM tomorrow. I envy the people I see sleeping sitting up.



The ambassadors at the Farewell Party.
What a great group.