We enjoyed the presence of Steven King from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill during our last two weeks in Jakarta. He taught us how to create multimedia packages to present the stories we've come across during our travels. We got to spend one of our classes at Starbucks, so we could all get on the Internet to upload our video projects.
Brightstar Community School now has some of my artwork gracing its walls.
This painting is inside the older kids' classroom.
This next painting is near the front entrance to the school.
We're really going to miss Febry and Eddie, and their kids Josh and Jessica, and Miss Mika who graciously hosted us in their home for the last 2 months.
Tips on how to survive Jakarta:
1) Accept the fact that traffic is traffic. If you don't drive, take a book, or some work because five kilometres could mean three hours.
2) Hold you breath when walking down the street. Or wear a WW2 gas mask.
3) Don't drive behind a "bajaj" or "Tuc Tuc"
4) Scooters and motorbikes are the "cockroaches" of the city. They can get you places faster, but the risk of death is much higher
5) Learn the "Rat Roads" that tightly weave in-between buildings and houses, just don't get lost!
6) People stare and like to take photos of you because you're "boolay," AKA foreign. Just pretend you're famous.
7) Hang out with the locals - they know the cool spots, how to get there, and they get the best prices.
8) Take time to savour a patch of grass, if you find one.
9) Even when the heat outdoors is unbearable, bring a sweater to go into shopping malls, restaurants, cafés or hotels because the air conditioning will turn you into a Popsicle.
10) Try Indonesian food, but watch out! It's some of the spiciest food I've ever tried.
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