Indonesian Christmas

Flash! President Bush Says He Reads Papers

From the New York Times, Xmas day.

Currently reading: The Great Shark Hunt, by Hunter S. Thompson

Merry Christmas, from Depok, Indonesia. The day has been marked with stark contrasts, with moments of complete solitude and moments of feeling very close to those that I love. There is also the fact that I will be leaving this place tomorrow, walking away from a life that I have worked pretty hard to build over the past months. I wish I could say that I would be back to Java soon, but the truth is I do not know when I will next have the chance to breathe the hot smoggy air of Jakarta.

I try to take comfort in the idea that we are all faced with an all powerful, ultimately chaotic universe that doesn't really give a damn about us. Sometimes I get the feeling that there is indeed some organized Axis of Evil working to create and perpetuate all things bad in the world. That is not as comforting.

The writing on the wall

Art is everywhere. The seething chaos, suffering, and patches of light that shine through the grimy air of Jakarta city breeds art, art that means a little more because it births from such conditions.

The graffiti and paintings in public places, like the public music of the pengamen that roam the buses, trains, and restaurants is simply a fact of life in Jakarta - it's everywhere. In this case, the government was very wise to legalize it in certain places, giving it at least a little control over it. That's not to say that there isn't plenty of pirate painting going on around the city, revolutionary art, writing on the wall, not condoned by the government.
Either way, it's pretty cool.

Rain and Rodents

It's amazing the burst of life here in Indonesia following the onset of the rainy season. Not only are there flowers falling like rain off the blossoming trees, spawning the awesome tropical fruits that are suddenly everywhere, but I have seen more wildlife than two months ago.
Take this little devil, for instance. Apparently, their entire life lasts about 2 hours, which is long enough to grab something to eat, have some sex with the most attractive bug of the opposite sex it can find in a hurry (I imagine they're not too picky), give birth to a whole crapload of offspring, then fly around a light bulb like an idiot until they crash into it hard enough that their wings fall off, making a nasty mess that I have to pick up in the morning.
The rat population is most definitely on the move, as well. First of all, probably because their home in the gutters has been suddenly filled with terrential floods, and also probably because the flowing water has brought out all sorts of rotten things to the street for them to munch on.

Feet of Fortune

The feet of Jakarta have one hell of a job as they carry people through some of the most intense chaos and moments of humanity that can be found anywhere in the world.