Jalan-Jalan for Java

One of the things that has perplexed me the most being in Indonesia is the difficulty in finding coffee. In a nation synonymous with coffee - Java, Sumatra - there is a surprising lack of places which serve actual coffee. By actual coffee I mean coffee that comes from beans and brewed with hot water, not brown granules that dissolve in water. There is an abundance of people selling instant coffee. You can find it at Circle K, little street stalls, and even people riding bicycles with packets decorating the handle bars. However, in my opinion if you are going to have a vice, addiction to coffee, you should enjoy the quality stuff. I don't believe in fake sugar or powdered creamer.

Today, I had enough of the instant coffee. It just was not working, so I took a morning Jalan-Jalan (walk if you haven't remembered your Bahasa from previous posts) to the nearest coffee shop which happens to be about 20 minutes out of my way. The problem with this is that tomorrow I will want a latte again. While I normally would not mind a 20 minute walk, in Jakarta it is a different story. The humidity and pollution quickly make you rethink your journey, especially when you have to wear those clothes at work all day. The traffic makes you question the wisdom of cross streets - just close your eyes, hold out your hand as a barrier, and take the first step (DON'T ACTUALLY CLOSE YOUR EYES). Luckily today there was a little breeze and it didn't seem quite so hot, at least when you were in the shade. That first sip of my ice latte made it worth it, though tomorrow I think I might opt for extra sleep. Needless to say I am counting the days, 17 to be exact, until I am back in Little Rock with my many coffee making appliances.

Hump Day

Today is hump day in more than one way. It is Wednesday. It also the middle of my time in Indonesia. Starting tomorrow I will have been in Indonesia for more days than I have remaining. It is hard to believe that time has gone by so quickly.

The count down begins, 38 days until I return to - my apartment complete with its little kitchen (it has been almost two months since I have baked cookies), the Very Versatile Versa (my car) and my ability to negotiate traffic free Little Rock (never again will I complain about traffic), reliable internet (I will enjoy being able to stream television and having my smart phone back), and of course me friends and family (Aunt MissE - I never doubted that you would remember to pick me up at the airport on August 6).

Muffins

Carmelita Bars

There are also many things that I will miss from my time in Indonesia - fresh juices (pineapple, mango, avocado which I still have to try), the foods (especially the Tahu Kari from my favorite dinner restaurant and tempe and green beans from my favorite lunch spot), and my Indonesian friends.

Nasi Campur

Pineapple Juice at Tanah Lot

Today was also a day for goodbyes. Before coming into work this morning I put my mom in a taxi to head to the airport and then back to the states. She was a little apprehensive about actually making it to the airport. We did have a little mix-up on our way to Bali. I assured her that I had no special ability to ensure that the taxi driver dropped her off at the International Terminal. As I have learned, it is not that the taxi driver is trying to drop you off in the wrong place, they genuinely do not know where they are going. I will miss my mom and travel partner, she has traveled 5 of the 7 continents with me. Though she claims to have traveled to all 7 before me, I still discount a day trip to Morocco as Africa.

Australia

Asia

Antartica

  

Kickin' It in Kota

I spent this weekend hanging out in the old town of Batavia or Kota. This is the northern part of Jakarta that was the center of Dutch colonialism. In between the smog, trash, traffic, and people you can imagine the grand area that it once was. Many of the buildings are rotting away but some have been kept as museums.

Saturday, I went down to Kota. The first stop of the day was the Mandiri Bank Museum. Complete with creepy mannequins, this museum aims to representing banking as it was back in the 1930s. 

After the bank museum it was the Wayang Museum. Daniel, a puppet maker and owner, kept popping up to give us an impromptu tour. 

 

After the Wayang Museum it was a fancy lunch at Cafe Batavia. It overlooks the central square in Kota. While the building and views were impressive, the food not so much. There was so more wandering around before heading home.

On Sunday, I met Jessie, an intern from work, at Anomali for breakfast. I ordered the creme brulee latte, which includes caramelizing the sugar on top with a torch. Jessie got a hot chocolate, which includes getting your portrait drawn on top in chocolate. 

 

 

We then headed down to Kota for some more exploring. Jessie had not been yet. We had some minor transportation difficulties, but eventually arrived at our destination. We soon learned we were as much of a tourist attraction as the sights in Kota. We took at least ten photos including one family portrait complete with mom, baby, and son. Here are some sights from Taman Fatahillah that were captured between taking photos with Indonesians.

  

We then went to the art and ceramics museum and back to the Wayang Puppet Museum where we actually got to see the last ten minutes of a show. Finally we walked to the old watchtower to get a view of the harbor. 

 

  

 

Our last stop of the the day was Plaza Indonesia for dinner and some window shopping. From the bus overpass I got a good view of the Welcome Statue. We had a delicious dinner complete with exotic fruit blends, blueberry cardamon and pomegranate ginger.

 

Week Three Highlights

Some highlights from my third week in Indonesia:

MONDAY: Try mangosteen.

 

TUESDAY: Saw a horrible movie, Bel Ami but ate delicious pizza in a restaurant that looked like a Swiss ski resort (sorry no photo).

WEDNESDAY: New intern at work and no internet at work.

THURSDAY: Saw a great movie, Dark Shadows.

FRIDAY: Visited Parliament for a work function, fit four people in a bajaj (really wish I had a picture of this), had amazing ginger fizz and nasi campur.

Women's Leadership Forum at Parliament.

Imagine four people in the back.

Ginger Fizz

Nasi Campur

Food for Thought

Jakarta is known for food, and I am enjoying exploring the cuisines of Indonesia and beyond through my daily food adventures. This week has included everything from chinese food, street food, chocolate waffle with ice cream, pesto pasta, strawberry cheesecake, and DINO NUGGETS!

I walked to the grocery store down the street to buy some breakfast options (the only meal I eat at my Kost). I figured I should look for some healthier options than my usual breakfast of chocolate biscuits and an orange. As I was meandering the aisles of this new grocery store I stumbled across dino nuggets. I immediately had flash backs to cooking dinner for 50 volunteers in New Orleans, buying bulk packages of dino nuggets and industrial size cans of corn -- the less glamorous side to my job in New Orleans than reality tv cameos. 

I passed on the dino nuggets, and continued my search for breakfast food. I guess it is true that you can really find anything in Jakarta. Here are some pictures from other food adventures this week:

Chocolate waffle with ice cream.

Pesto pasta and tropical martini.

Happy eating where ever you may find yourself this summer!

A taxi, a bus, a train, and an angkot

Yesterday started off with a taxi ride to the morning cake market. There were cakes, pastries, and savory treats galore. It was a feast for both my eyes and tastes buds. While maybe not the healthiest breakfast, it certainly was tasty. 

Making fresh cakes. These had meat inside.

Chocolate, need I say more.

Alex before trying green mystery cake!

After the cake market Alex and I jumped on a Transjakarta Bus to Monas and Gambir Station. The Transjakarta Busway is the city's attempt at mass transit. We didn't stop for long at Monas as we were trying to get to Bogor. It is something to come back to as there are many sights around the monument, including the largest Mosque in Jakarta.

After a couple of wrong turns and attempts at directions we made it to the train station. We almost got on the wrong train, but eventually made it on to the train to Bogor. 

View of Jakarta from train platform.

Upon  arriving in Bogor, we stopped at the Tourist Information Office for a map and some directions. Unfortunately those directions were a little off, left really meant right, so maybe the walk took a little longer than 15 minutes. Eventually, we arrived at the Botanic Gardens. While taking a water break on a shady bench, we were approached by an English Club who interviewed us. 

After the Botanic Gardens, we boarded an angkot to the Gong Factory. An angkot is a green minibus that seats 10 people. Though the Gong Factory was closed, we did get to see some of the gongs. 

Finally, it was time to make the journey back to Jakarta which was an angkot, a train, a bus, and then a taxi!