Earning Money

Indonesia does not have food stamps, government provided housing, utility vouchers, etc. for the poor.  They are pretty much on their own and those who choose to be charitable.  They find many different ways to make money.  There are many food vendors with small carts, people walking between cars in the stopped traffic selling water and snacks, people standing at busy intersections stopping traffic so cars can pull onto the road, little children (Abby's age) walking from car to car in stopped traffic begging, etc.

Something I have never seen in the states is people with motorcycles lined up at bus stops offering rides to those that still have blocks to walk to home or work.

Because the traffic is so bad, there are sections of the city that at certain times of the morning and evening you will get a ticket if you don’t have at least 2 or 3 individuals in your vehicle.  So people stand on the side of the street with their hand out offering to ride through that section of town for the equivalent of around $2-3.  Many of these individuals (see the pictures below) are mothers holding a small child in their arms.

Transportation--Motorcycles

One of the main forms of transportation in Indonesia is a motorcycle.  This year it is estimated that about 800,000 new cars and over 6,000,000 motorcycles will be sold in Indonesia!  The most common are Honda 110CCs.  One of these small motorcycles cost between 13 and 14 million rupiah or $1600.  As you can see from the pictures, they are used for everything, including taking the family places.    Today I saw a man carrying a 5-6 foot ladder!  Most Indonesians only have a motorcycle.  A man in our office told us he could be home in one hour if he rode his motorcycle—if he took a car, it could take up to 3 hours.

Motorcycle with homemade boxes for carrying items

Carrying Plants

Lady riding "side-saddle" in a dress on her way to work!  You see ladies each day dressed in nice clothing riding on a motorcycle to work. 

Typical parking lot

If you look closely you can see a child sitting in from of the driver.  I have seen as many as 4 individuals on one small motorcycle!

Another child along for the ride!  We have even seem mothers holding babies that look to be sound asleep!

Motorcycle parking at the church on a Sunday morning--more motorcyles than cars in the parking lot!

 

Burger King Delivery Motorcycle.  I have also seen KFC, McDonalds, and many local businesses. 

Currency and Cost of Living

It has taken some time to get use to the currency.  The currency is “Rupiah”.  The current exchange rate is 8500 Rupiah to one US dollar.  Some examples:
--Taxi ride of 20-25 minutes is 30,000 Rupiah (includes a tip of 5000 Rupiah) or $3.50 US
--Dinner for both of us consisting of a main dish (small piece of mean, noodles, and vegetables) and bottled water/soft drinks and a tip was 110,000 Rupiah or $13 US.  Meals don’t consist of bread, salad, and/or all the soft drinks you want—but we finished dinner and were not hungry.  Most Indonesians are thin—they do not eat the volume of food at a meal like Americans do.
--We recently went to the Outback Steak House and had 8oz sirloin steak, two sides, one small loaf of bread, and lemonade—for the two of us the cost was 460,000 Rupiah or about $54.  In Indonesia that is considered a very expensive dinner.
---Prices for services are cheap compared to the US.  We met a driver for a couple who is paid $3/hour.  A cleaning person is paid around $5/hour. 
 Imported items are expensive-- Cheerios are around $8.00/medium size box.  Tide 50oz liquid was $22,  Zip Lock freezer bags---54 count-- $6.50. 
---Our apartment is 8,500,000 Rupiah/month.  We will easily spend 20+ million/month.
So, if you like to spend millions, this is the place to be!

Ramadan

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan, when many Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, or smoking during daylight hours, began on 1 August and will conclude with a three-day public holiday celebrating Eid al-Fitr (comparable to our Thanksgiving) around 31 August.

Ramadan marks the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The exact dates of Eid al-Fitr will depend on the sighting of the moon. During Ramadan, many Indonesian restaurants are closed during the day and open after sunset, at which time they typically become very busy. Both the public and private sectors observe reduced working days and business meetings may only be kept sporadically or canceled on short notice.

As the month progresses, banners and flags go up in recognition of the occasion.  By the end of the month, a large portion of the population of Jakarta will return to the family in the other parts of Indonesia to visit and strengthen family ties.  Millions of cars and motorcycles will jam the roads and highways causing massive traffic jams each year.

First Week In Indonesia

Been an interesting first week in our apartment.  It is a nice apartment for the area; however, in the United States we would consider it average regarding condition and amenities.  We do not have a dish washer or cloths dyer.  We do have a small clothes washer.  We’re getting used to hanging our wet cloths in the bathrooms, etc.  We do have nice bedrooms and living area.  The kitchen is small—does this mean we should eat out more?  There is a nice outside walking area, exercise room, spa, swimming pool, restaurant, and grocery store. 

However, after a week of seeing the living conditions of a very large portion of the people in this city, I better appreciate what we have in the United States.  The “poor” in the United States live better than most do in this city.  A recent article in the local paper stated that Indonesians spend around 70% of their income on food. 

But, there are many wealthy people in this country---This weekend we saw a number of car dealerships for luxury cars and ate dinner in a very nice restaurant located in one of the nicest malls I have ever been in!   Five floors with all the top end shops and items.  There are many malls—some additional high end malls and many comparable to what we generally find in the US.

However, with that said, there is a growing middle class.  A lot of business activity.

The contrast between the poor and the rich is unbelievable!

Our Mission President, President Groberg, served a mission here about 40 years ago.  He said at that time there was only a few paved roads in Jakarta—today all the roads are paved.  There was only one three story building.  While he was on his mission a 15 floor building was finished.  Today you can look out over the city and see hundreds of sky scrapers!  Back then there few very few cars—today hundreds of thousands of motorcycles and vehicles and traffic jams day and night, seven days a week.

Most of the buildings have their own water well and sewage system.  Only a small fraction of the buildings and homes in Jakarta and the surrounding suburbs are on municipal water or sewer systems.

However the city and Indonesia continues to grow-- this year a growth rate of 12% is projected. 

Sunday we attended church in Bogor, a suburb of Jakarta.  The members were very friendly and warm.  We enjoyed the meetings.  There were about 150 in attendance with about 35 in the Ward Choir which was outstanding!  The members love to sing.

Living here is a real educational experience that we wouldn’t trade for anything!

Day of Departure

Indonesia.

We are not on a bike mission.

Salt Lake Temple after the Choir show.

Wasatch Mnt range, Provo Temple

We finished the training on Thursday.  Said goodbye to people we met.  We had a nice surprise on Thursday.  We spoke with Bradley Sturgill, a young man from Ashland.  He teaches Spanish at the MTC in the same building where we have been training all week!  He happened to look out the window and see Gail walking toward the bookstore.  It was good to see him—he is doing well.  It was nice to see a familiar face!
Yesterday we met with a couple that recently returned from Indonesia.  They shared pictures and experiences—sounds like we will have an interesting time.  We are excited!  Last night they took us to Conference Center by Temple Square.  We were able to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra Pioneer Day Commemoration Concert.  It was great!  Temple Square and the surrounding area are beautiful with all types of flowers around the Temple, Conference Center and the Church Administration Buildings.
Our flight leaves around 8:30pm today.  Then with about 20 hours of “in air” time, various layovers, crossing the International Date Line, time change, etc. we should be in Jakarta early Monday morning!
We are ready to serve!

Mr. gb

Gale:  I will attempt to describe what it is like to be at the Mission Training Center (MTC). 

The buildings are all well kept.  Beautiful flower gardens throughout the campus (the down side--Gail is getting to many ideas for when we return home!) and the view is breathtaking--- we are at the foot of the Rocky Mountains and while we are 1-2 miles away, as you look to the east it feels as if you can touch them!  I have always liked the Rocky Mountains!  Adding to the view is the Provo Temple.  While we have been here the sky has been clear and very blue---and while the locals think the humidity is high, it feels great to me.  They don’t know what high humidity is!

But the most important thing is the spirit at the MTC---everyone is like minded and attempting to be more Christ-like while learning what our Heavenly Father would want us to do when we arrive at the area we have been called to serve.  There are around 2500 missionaries here this week with about 100 being senior missionaries. 

At our first group meeting, we were promised that the blessings outlined in Section 31 of The Doctrine and Covenants would be ours as we faithfully serve our mission.  Among those blessings--- our family would be blessed, we would know what to do and say, that people’s hearts will be opened as we serve them.

We are looking forward to next week’s training!