Walk Around Town

Months ago, my mom received a simple note.  It was written mostly in Bahasa, except for the phrase "walk around town".  This simple phrase connected with my mom and inspired her to revisit our friend in Indonesia.  Cancer had returned and, within months, would cause great pain. 

We booked our tickets and within weeks, our friend was unable to walk and sometimes unrecognizable to her closest friends and family.

We were able to visit her a couple times - each time the day after dialysis, her best days.  Her spirits were up.  She was able to celebrate two of her daughters birthdays that month.


 Though we didn't get to walk around town with her, we were able to visit at the after-school program she started. I even got to do an art project with some of the moms!  It was fun to see them enjoy creativity, to admire beauty, and to find it within themselves.  None of them wanted to leave when time was up.  They ate delicious homemade scones (mom's specialty) and stayed to finish their projects.

Traffic vs. Insomnia

Dear Insomnia, I want to break up...  Jetlag isn't fun any more.  I know I have an eventful day ahead of me, yet I cannot make myself fall asleep!

I can hear the party going on two houses down - still.  They've been partying since 5:30 p.m.  This reminds me of the Indonesian wedding.  Granted, we didn't have soundproof doors, nor double-paned windows in Indonesia.  But there was someone singing karaoke for all of the neighborhood to hear when most would have rather been sound asleep!  And although it is a traditional invitation to the neighborhood in Indonesia, I doubt my neighbors are actually inviting me to join their late night activities.

While I'm still up, here are a few images from Indonesia.  Today's theme: Traffic.

Here are a few things you might find in Indonesian traffic...

- Motorcycles galore!  Everywhere you look, motorcycles, motorcycles, motorcycles.

- Motorcycles weave in and out of traffic at any chance they get.  Especially during a traffic jam, you'll be sure to find motorcyclist squeezing through every open space to inch their way forward.

- It's very common to find 3, 4 and even 5 people on a single motorcycle in Indonesia. Poor kid is sandwiched.  Having to hold on while catching some z's = nearly impossible.  His face expresses how I feel about now - I just want to sleep...

 

From Week 1: Hong Kong Layover

 

What to do with an 8 hour layover after a 14 hour flight?  Get out of the airport!  My mom and I took the subway to explore just a little of Hong Kong.  We made sure to stop in a bakery to try some fresh pastries.  (Notice: my drink is the color of the cement.  I had to try it for kicks, but it's not my favorite.)  We enjoyed our snacks along the Walk of Fame where hundreds of tourists also joined us.  

I'd been here 5 years ago, around the same time of year, and also for a layover on my way to Indonesia.  At that time, they were doing some construction.  I think this fountain/pool might be new too! 

We rode a ferry back for the experience.  We visited the Financial Center (tallest building in the city) where visitors could see a view of the city from the 55th floor.  Notice, that's the only floor we were allowed to get out.  They had an exhibit about Hong Kong money - its history, its production.  All quite fascinating to me as I work with various print methods.

Anyway, it was a great way to stretch, get fresh air and simply explore another culture! Even if we were in Hong Kong for only for a few hours.

For You To See

A week after returning, I'm still dealing with jetlag.  But while I recover, you can enjoy pictures at last.

First, here are a few from our first few days in Indonesia.  Upon arrival, we purchase our visas.  We snacked on delicious roasted peanuts.  Throughout the trip, my mom journaled constantly.  After a couple days of travel, we enjoyed an afternoon of swimming.  While visiting Kursani in the hospital,  Donny caught a dragonfly.   We were invited to Emily's 5th birthday party, where we were treated to delicious, chocolate Tinkerbell cake and went home with a sack full of Indonesian snacks! 

More Laundry Tormorrow

Rolled out of bed at 1 pm today.  Spent the day trying to unpack, sort through and put things back in their places.  At 2 am, we're still wide awake.  I'm hoping to wake up earlier than 1 pm tomorrow.  Welcome to jetlag.

Things I already miss:
Friends in 3D
Shanghai's tall buildings with unique architecture
fruit juices and specialty drinks

Things I don't miss:
the humidity
The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel = lame

While in China, we met a man named Nacho from Spain.  Our friends are all well, though adjusting to changes isn't always easy.  Seeing them in their new elements, however short or long they end up staying, was super exciting.  4 K's, YV and 5 B's, thanks for letting us into your worlds! 

Off to lunch

We're out to lunch with Amy one last time!

The Milk Man

I have found that I have easily transitioned out of Indonesia's morning culture to urban night life.  I'm back to waking up after 7 again.

A carton of milk is delivered to the door step in the morning.  Breakfast has been German corn flakes with Australian honey and Chinese milk - quite delicious! 

We've had a few nights of sporadic fireworks.  One full show was just across the river!  Ahh the perks of being on the 19th floor!

Yesterday, we drove about an hour to Suzhou and visited The Tiger Hill. 
Lunch was in an old traditional building.   Super delicious food!   Robin helped me find some fresh tea for a decent price. 
And then we were off to the Humble Administrator's Garden.  The rock sculptures are life size and inviting.  Some walk ways led to rock formations where you could climb in, through and up them! 
We visited the plant where Chinese Pringles cans are made.  We even got a tour of the factory and a sample.

I'm definitely enjoying the drinks:
Mango, apple, banana juice
soursop juice
dragon fruit and pear juice
fresh green tea (leaves were picked April 5 for tea on May 5)
hot milk tea

Today, we're going downstairs to the coffee shop in the apartment complex.  How convenient!

Exploring China

From the apartment complex (including parks of exercise equipment, multiple jungle gyms, and towers of apartment buildings) to the Bund, we've been exploring Shanghai.  We've had delicious dim sum, Nino's Pizza, and even spent yesterday at the French Concession to enjoy pumpkin soup!

We've visited a sea of Chinese people in the subway station and walking along Nanjing Road.  We visited Zhujiajiao, a water town where we took a gondola ride down its streets.  All along the walk way, you could smell stinky tofu and find them making fresh Chinese tamales.

We left the family to their 3 hours of Chinese tutoring while we successfully crossed the streets on our own and explored the mall to find a place for dinner.  We ended up at Wagas and enjoyed Thai duck curry with pineapple and rice.  It was spicy enough to enjoy my mango, apple, banana juice that much more!

Today. we're off to the Yu Gardens and to explore the old city.