Parallel Universe

I have very mixed feelings about returning to Indo. I really miss all of my friends, the community, and the school, but I do feel a bit of angst about being back there.

Before this holiday in Canada I spent 4 days in LK getting my apartment somewhat organized and visiting a few friends. I had forgotten how different things were there compared to a 'developed' country.

It almost feels like a parallel universe. The rest of the world operates one way, and Indo goes completely the opposite direction. Other places seem to have some order to them, Indo seems to have no order. I've often said something as simple as going to the mall can be an adventure, and usually takes time and patience. Finding 'small money' for a motorcycle taxi or a bus, finding said taxi or a bus, indicating where you want to go, retaining nerves of steel while driver negotiates heavy and chaotic traffic, the language, the culture, the pollution, the density... all of this before you even get to the shopping mall (which is a story in itself).

I know my views are completely ethnocentric. The majority of countries are developing (as Indo is) and probably have similar problems with corruption, pollution, and economy. I know that Indo is probably even miles ahead of many developing countries. Do I really have anything to complain about?

I miss the comforts of Canada and Australia. Driving long distances with the radio on, walking to the market to pick up a few simple items, clean air, straightforward services in a familiar language. Campfires. Night skies with stars. Clean water.

I think my goal in these next few years will be to make Indo more of a home for myself, to find and personalize the comforts it has. I want to learn the language. I want to master Indo driving. I want to get more massages.

I am in Ontario...

...all over Ontario, to be exact.

But first, let me tell you how I got here. I flew from Alice Springs to Darwin, spent the afternoon and night there. Then flew to Denpasar, Bali (where I took this picture) on my way to Jakarta. I spent 4 days in Jakarta and then flew to Singapore, and spent the night at the airport. Early the next morning I flew to Tokyo, then to Minneapolis, then to Toronto. That's 7 flights! I think that's gotta be some kind of record.

Anyhow, so now I'm in Ontario. I spent the first weekend with friends R & D in Milton. Went to the Farmer's Market and the strawberry festival there... good low-key fun. Took the GO train from Oakville to Oshawa on the Sunday where I was picked up by Ma and Pa. It was good to finally be back home after a week in transit. The first week back was pretty low-key. I went shopping for clothes and shoes, but just kind of kicked back. On the Friday I went to Toronto to hang out with some friends from Indo... one from Simcoe and one from Chicago. We saw Casa Loma, the CN tower, and watched the Atlanta braves warm up from the Hard Rock Cafe. We then walked over to the Eaton Centre.

This week I've been at camp at Fair Havens, and I worked for 3 days in maintenance. Yesterday I managed to get some septic time... I helped dig out the lid for the septic tank, as it was filling up. Thankfully it was pumped out soon after. I then helped sort out recyclables for 2 hours. Other than those jobs, I've been doing a bit of grass cutting, helping move and lift stuff, and raking dirt and wood chips. It was good physical work, and best of all, it was MINDLESS! I followed 2 teen staff around and they told me what to do. I had very little responsibility. It was heaven.

This weekend I head to Presqu'ile for camping, and next week I believe I'll be hanging around the house in Lindsay, getting ready to fly back to Indonesia (I fly out July 13). Thankfully I only have 4 flights back to Jakarta. I fly Toronto-Detroit-Tokyo-Singapore (2 nights)-Jakarta. I look forward to not flying for a while. Airports and airplanes have this way of sucking your soul out of your rear-end, leaving you feeling like little more than a drone. Maybe they put Nyquil in the food or melt a portion of your brain when you pass through the metal detectors.

Seyma the dog (and sidekick Skinny)

I have a small camp dog, whom you may have noticed in the pics below. She started hanging around 2 months ago, and then disappeared out of the blue. She has just returned from (I believe) a month long holiday in Alice Springs. Follow the link to pictures of a revitalised Seyma (and her new friend, Skinny).

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=111834&l=d820d&id=688555192

Seyma has a small bed outside my front door, and I just noticed she has become a collector. She has become a bit territorial, and has started keeping her treasures on her mat. These include: 3 small bones, an old sock, her water dish, a plastic cookie tray, and a kangaroo vertebrate.

Donkeys

We have 3 wild donkeys here in Ampilatwatja. They are a royal nuisance, getting into garbage, pooping on your doorstep, and waking you up with their asthmatic wheezing. They're pretty smart too... they frequently come into my yard, turn on my garden tap and stick their heads under it for a drink. This has flooded my front yard, causing grass to grow, which the donkeys like to then come and eat. One thing leads to another and thank you gifts are left behind.

Here I am chasing one out of the schoolyard.

Around Ampilatwatja

My humble abode. I believe the architectural style is 'portable vernacular'.

Just outside of Ampilatwatja... Honeymoon bore. A romantic spot indeed.

The sign... don't miss the turn.

Winter Pics - Part 2

January 2, 9am. Today started off at a chilly -17 C. Brr.


Here are some Mallard ducks on the Scugog. They should really consider travelling to Florida for the winter. Maybe we should all.


Here is a snowplow, ready for action.


My wonderful brother looked forward to my return as he would have someone to share his shovelling responsibilities. Here I am doing my duty, widening the driveway entrance.


Here is my creation, the shovelled path to the front door! I believe the queen is the only one allowed to use this door. The rest of us use the side door. We're ready when you are Lizzy...

Winter Pics - Part 1

Here is the first installment of my Canadian winter pictures. They were taken last week, but there are more to come... we had a snowfall last night, so I'll be doing some shovelling soon.

Here's my parent's house, and the pathway I'll be shovelling.


This is the winter view from my parents' house... that is the Scugog river down below.


Another view of the Scugog from a nearby footbridge.


A rare Canadian site: a miniature bushy tailed black kangaroo taking a winter bath.

Actually, it's just a squirrel. And its eating bird food.

When in Canada, eat Canadian beef, please.