http://hodr.org/2009/12/08/indonesia-project-sungai-geringging-update-week-6/
This is a fantastic summary of the work I was doing.
Love,
Louie
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
I found it!
As a small shout out to my Fuel friends: I've found the ever elusive "iced capuccino" in Bangkok.
Just sayin...
Love,
Louie
Just sayin...
Love,
Louie
Sunday, December 6, 2009
30 days of ...
Well it's been thirty days of volunteering and thirty days of new experiences, adventure, learning and stretching my comfort zone. I haven't blogged much during my trip so far and could possibly list out the numerous reason for not doing so. Sparing you a read of assumed responsibilty, I'll reconvine with full force.
I write this to you from my friend John's apartment in Bangkok in Sukumvit, soi 14. For me, the past few days have been adjusting to populated civilied life, processing the work and experiences in Sumatra and having fun. Bangkok is an easy place for me to do two out of three of those things. But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself.
Observation 1: Showers are Magic
Yes, turning a knob on a wall and having warm water shoot out of a nozzle onto you is a miraculous thing. No longer am I forced to unitask (rub soap in hair, pick up laddel, fill with water, dump on head) during shower time; I have broken the bonds of sanitary freedom. I'm the cleanest I've felt in a while. Also, even the most 'baby-faced' among men can attest, shaving with cold water sucks. If I had a skin therapist or equivilent, we would be high fiving for the hot water right now... I have a new found respect for the convienience of the modern shower.
Observation 2: Bangkok is Fun
I've been doing such a variety if things the past few days that it is hard to remember them all. The food is fantastic: noodles (pad thai), fruit, cashew chicken, deep fried pork wrapped in banana leaves. We took the sky train to a water taxi to the oldest temple in Bangkok, Wat Pho and stood in awe, barefoot at the base of the biggest statue of a golden budha you can imagine. It happens to be the King's Birthday this weekend, which is a major Thai holiday; eighty percent of the people have pink shirts on (the King's color). We were lucky enough to watch fireworks on Saturday night from the rooftop balcony.
Observation 3: Sungai Geringging is a Bubble
The volunteer base in the west sumatran village is isolated it has allowed me to be out of touch with so many 'things'. The volunteer lifestyle was cleansing in its simplicity, a feature that makes it attractive to some. Simultaneously over thirty days, I became bored and it started to feel monotonous in some ways. The organization has implemented a new policy that seems like a smart way of dealing with this issue; after 30 days, you must take a 3 day break away from the base house. Good idea in my opinon!
I'll be reflecting through words and telling more stories and experiences in the near future. In the meantime we have more of Bangkok to explore!
Be well :)
Love,
Louie
I write this to you from my friend John's apartment in Bangkok in Sukumvit, soi 14. For me, the past few days have been adjusting to populated civilied life, processing the work and experiences in Sumatra and having fun. Bangkok is an easy place for me to do two out of three of those things. But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself.
Observation 1: Showers are Magic
Yes, turning a knob on a wall and having warm water shoot out of a nozzle onto you is a miraculous thing. No longer am I forced to unitask (rub soap in hair, pick up laddel, fill with water, dump on head) during shower time; I have broken the bonds of sanitary freedom. I'm the cleanest I've felt in a while. Also, even the most 'baby-faced' among men can attest, shaving with cold water sucks. If I had a skin therapist or equivilent, we would be high fiving for the hot water right now... I have a new found respect for the convienience of the modern shower.
Observation 2: Bangkok is Fun
I've been doing such a variety if things the past few days that it is hard to remember them all. The food is fantastic: noodles (pad thai), fruit, cashew chicken, deep fried pork wrapped in banana leaves. We took the sky train to a water taxi to the oldest temple in Bangkok, Wat Pho and stood in awe, barefoot at the base of the biggest statue of a golden budha you can imagine. It happens to be the King's Birthday this weekend, which is a major Thai holiday; eighty percent of the people have pink shirts on (the King's color). We were lucky enough to watch fireworks on Saturday night from the rooftop balcony.
Observation 3: Sungai Geringging is a Bubble
The volunteer base in the west sumatran village is isolated it has allowed me to be out of touch with so many 'things'. The volunteer lifestyle was cleansing in its simplicity, a feature that makes it attractive to some. Simultaneously over thirty days, I became bored and it started to feel monotonous in some ways. The organization has implemented a new policy that seems like a smart way of dealing with this issue; after 30 days, you must take a 3 day break away from the base house. Good idea in my opinon!
I'll be reflecting through words and telling more stories and experiences in the near future. In the meantime we have more of Bangkok to explore!
Be well :)
Love,
Louie
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Pink eye and home sickness!
Hi everyone! I'm on day five of my conjunctivitis stint, just waiting for it to pass now. The volunteer house had an outbreak about 12 days ago and I'm the last of about 11 or 12 people that got it. It's been mostly low energy and putting drops in my gunk filled eyes a few times a day and trying not to scratch my eyes out. I think I'll be better in a day or two. Also, I thought about a real shower for the first time today.
I had a food homesickness for the first time today, thinking of all the foods that I miss back home. Taco truck, pizza, ice cream, pastries, anything not rice or curry... ha! The food has been great here, but limited to a few specific things due to it's remoteness. There is a fantastic dish that has saved me from protein deficiency a few times. It is called Martabak, and it's basically a "crispy skin omelet with cucumber, shallots, garlic and mince meat. If you'll excuse me for a bit, I'm going to go grab two.
Selemat Jalan! Sampai jumpa lagi!
L
I had a food homesickness for the first time today, thinking of all the foods that I miss back home. Taco truck, pizza, ice cream, pastries, anything not rice or curry... ha! The food has been great here, but limited to a few specific things due to it's remoteness. There is a fantastic dish that has saved me from protein deficiency a few times. It is called Martabak, and it's basically a "crispy skin omelet with cucumber, shallots, garlic and mince meat. If you'll excuse me for a bit, I'm going to go grab two.
Selemat Jalan! Sampai jumpa lagi!
L
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
I made it, all is well.
Welcome to Indonesia!
What has seemed like a fortnight for me has actually only been five days for me. In short, I made it and things are going great. Here is a bit more for the curious...
First off, it is hot all the time. And humid. All the time. That has taken a few days to adjust to. Showering gives you minutes of relief from what feels like a constant seepage of sweat. It makes everything from sleeping to reading more complicated. But despite that fact, after five days I have started to acclimate and stop sweating profusely.
Secondly, the people here, both the locals and volunteers, are tremendously gracious and kind. The kids are fascinating and find foreigners interesting. Because of the remote location of the work site, we get "Halo Meester" and a wave from nearly everyone. When one replies back, "Hello", the group breaks into giggles. The last time I checked my email a few days ago there were five or six young kids looking over my shoulder at what I was doing! As for the volunteers, living this life we realize there are no conditions to complain about; everyone has made a conscious choice that seems to underlie behavior, attitude and activity. These two things, the heat and kindness, are at the front of my thoughts at the moment.
My normal work day routine is relatively structured and goes as follows:
6:00 - wake up slowly, get some breakfast (always malaria pill + corn flakes with powdered milk with a pbj)
7:00 - rinse off the face and arms in the cistern outside, get dressed for work, gather the tools
7:30 - go to the work site
8:00 - start work! (it has been either material recover or demolition, more on these later)
12:00 - lunch break! So far it has been rice with a curry meat dish (tonight I think it was goat) usually about 3 stars for spice
1:30pm - back to work
4:30 - head back to the base house
4:45 - bucket shower (pictures on its way) and dinner (same style as lunch)
6:00 - group meeting to discuss field reports on projects, new project assessments, housekeeping issues and new volunteer introductions
7:00 - free time, yay! This is where I rest, read, hang out with new friends, come into town to blog etc.
10:00 - quiet hours start, usually everyone, including myself, is asleep at this point
2:00am - another volunteer starts snoring in the next room
4:00am - freaky loud zombie cat breaks in and meows "brains" over and over for an hour.
Massage gently, rinse and repeat.
p.s. My apologies for the lack of pictures. The internet is definitely not cooperating.
What has seemed like a fortnight for me has actually only been five days for me. In short, I made it and things are going great. Here is a bit more for the curious...
First off, it is hot all the time. And humid. All the time. That has taken a few days to adjust to. Showering gives you minutes of relief from what feels like a constant seepage of sweat. It makes everything from sleeping to reading more complicated. But despite that fact, after five days I have started to acclimate and stop sweating profusely.
Secondly, the people here, both the locals and volunteers, are tremendously gracious and kind. The kids are fascinating and find foreigners interesting. Because of the remote location of the work site, we get "Halo Meester" and a wave from nearly everyone. When one replies back, "Hello", the group breaks into giggles. The last time I checked my email a few days ago there were five or six young kids looking over my shoulder at what I was doing! As for the volunteers, living this life we realize there are no conditions to complain about; everyone has made a conscious choice that seems to underlie behavior, attitude and activity. These two things, the heat and kindness, are at the front of my thoughts at the moment.
My normal work day routine is relatively structured and goes as follows:
6:00 - wake up slowly, get some breakfast (always malaria pill + corn flakes with powdered milk with a pbj)
7:00 - rinse off the face and arms in the cistern outside, get dressed for work, gather the tools
7:30 - go to the work site
8:00 - start work! (it has been either material recover or demolition, more on these later)
12:00 - lunch break! So far it has been rice with a curry meat dish (tonight I think it was goat) usually about 3 stars for spice
1:30pm - back to work
4:30 - head back to the base house
4:45 - bucket shower (pictures on its way) and dinner (same style as lunch)
6:00 - group meeting to discuss field reports on projects, new project assessments, housekeeping issues and new volunteer introductions
7:00 - free time, yay! This is where I rest, read, hang out with new friends, come into town to blog etc.
10:00 - quiet hours start, usually everyone, including myself, is asleep at this point
2:00am - another volunteer starts snoring in the next room
4:00am - freaky loud zombie cat breaks in and meows "brains" over and over for an hour.
Massage gently, rinse and repeat.
p.s. My apologies for the lack of pictures. The internet is definitely not cooperating.
Monday, November 2, 2009
iPhone Blogging Test
I downloaded this blogging app for my 'barely' functioning, almost dry iPhone. I thinking this will be a useful tool for keeping in touch so that I can write whenever I'm connected. If anything, I'll have thumbs of steel after six weeks of typing on a phone.
Getting a few last minute things together; first aid kit, sunglasses, power adapter and a framing hammer. I leave for the airport tomorrow night!
Love,
Louie
Getting a few last minute things together; first aid kit, sunglasses, power adapter and a framing hammer. I leave for the airport tomorrow night!
Love,
Louie
Friday, October 30, 2009
Indonesia or Bust
Hi Friends!
I thought a blog would probably be the easiest way to stay in touch with people and give updates on my travel and volunteer efforts over the next 6 weeks. I've got most of my gear ready to go and one main issue (booking a flight to Padang from Jakarta) to take care of before getting mentally prepared to take a 30 hour trip to the volunteer house.
I sent an email to about 70 friends and family members, and have gotten a number of really amazing responses. Thank you to everyone for the kind words and encouragement; I hope to make this trip fun, productive and challenging.
Stay tuned, and I will post stories, experiences and photos whenever I can.
Love,
Louie
I thought a blog would probably be the easiest way to stay in touch with people and give updates on my travel and volunteer efforts over the next 6 weeks. I've got most of my gear ready to go and one main issue (booking a flight to Padang from Jakarta) to take care of before getting mentally prepared to take a 30 hour trip to the volunteer house.
I sent an email to about 70 friends and family members, and have gotten a number of really amazing responses. Thank you to everyone for the kind words and encouragement; I hope to make this trip fun, productive and challenging.
Stay tuned, and I will post stories, experiences and photos whenever I can.
Love,
Louie
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