Pasar

Following are pictures of a local pasar--a traditional market.  This pasar is about two blocks from our apartment.  There are hundreds of pasars all thru the city.  They serve the needs of the people living in the kampungs--small neighborhoods--around the pasar.  Almost anything can be purchased from food to copier paper to clothes....  People shop each day for much of their daily needs.  There are also various grocery stores (walmart type), hardware stores (ACE), malls, etc. for those that prefer to not shop in a pasar. 

Notice in the background the non food items.

Since most people don't eat pork--I am not sure what type of meat this is.  Since beef is expensive, I am guessing goat or dog.  Yes, they do eat dog!

Fish--this is not on ice.  Based on how dirty the water is in the local rivers and streams, I would not buy any.........

Chicken, etc.  And, yes there are flies all around...........

More fish.  Notice the men in the back cooking.  They sell both cooked and raw fish.

This store sells jewery, clothes, etc.

Traffic on a Saturday morning!

Notice the fish is being wrapped in newpaper.

Building and hardware supplies

Motorcycle cleaning and repair

A street vendor selling ballons and small toys

Very Busy!

There are a number of shops that recondition doors, windows, etc and also take old discarded wood and make items.

This is a road leading from the kampung into the pasar

Another road leading from a kampung into the pasar

This is our apartment complex.  The pasar is just behind me.

Gardens at Puri Casablanca Apartment Complex

We live in a very nice complex.  It has four towers with a total of around 1000 appartments.  While it is older then many in the city, it is in a good area and well maintained.    It has some of the nicest gardens you will find.  It has been very dry lately, so the grass is not as green as usual.  Gail really enjoys her walks thru the complex!  She thinks this is how her backyard should look. There is a nice walkway that does around the three tennis courts and the three children's playgrounds.

A putting green.  There is also an area for driving practice.

This is what I enjoy--the pool.  After my morning workout in the exercise room, it's very relaxing to go for a swim, cool off, and then lay beside the pool as the sun comes up.  It helps prepare me for the hard day at the office and all the tasks the Office Manager (ie Gail) will give me with a deadline of ASAP--ie NOW!  I am sure glad I wasn't that type of boss.....

The steps lead up to a water slide.  The children's pool is on the other side.  The building in the background is where we live.  With the weather usually sunny and in the 90s everyday, it's a hard life, but...I do enjoy sitting under the waterfall.  We are enjoying our time in Indonesia!

Batak Wedding Reception

We recently attended a Batak (one of the many cultures in Indonesia) wedding reception.  As you can tell from the pictures, it was a big affair.  The estimate was around 1000 guests at a cost of $75,000+ for the wedding and reception.  These are very affluent families.  As you will see in the pictures, the ladies wear very colorful, fancy dresses and accessories.

At least 20 of these signs were around the outside of the building.  You will see these at weddings, special events, the opening of a new store, etc.

The greeter at the entrance to the reception.

The bride and groom and the family gathering at the front of the reception hall.

One of the traditions is the families of the bride and groom do a dance.

A view of a portion of the reception hall.

The former mission president was "adopted" as a part of the bride's family, so we were invited and treated as special guests!  As a result, we were seated in a special room limited to about 15 people with two waiters and enough food for 50 people.  We also got a visit from the new couple, pictures, and polite hello and handshake.

Pictures of the Ladies!

This is a Water Bufflo.  It is tranditional for a water bufflo to be prepared and served at a Batak wedding reception.  Your rank in the family determines which part you will be served.

Bali-yeah!!

All the senior couples met in Bali for a conference May 7-9 with an extended day on the 10th. We enjoyed getting together to discuss things that could make our missions more productive, and ways to help and support the young missionaries who are dedicating 18-24 months to help build the church in Indonesia.

We stayed at the Suly Resort, an older, rustic, currently being renovated resort hotel with lots of early Balinese character.

Our room was through the pathway, then turn to the left of the statue.

This was our bedroom, the ceiling was magnificent. All the woodwork was probably really neat in its day.

We visited the monkey forrest in Ubud. Monkeys and swinging vines everywhere! The guy with a basket in his hand is making an offering. He laid his offering on the walk area, and immediately some monkeys came to check it out (to see if it was anything they could eat). He lit a thing that let off a bunch of smoke as well.       
This is a Hindu custom.






We drove through several villages. The people on Bali are mainly Hindu, and they have 3 major temples in each village. There they make daily (or more freqent) offerings. There is usually a mini-temple at each house (about the size of a large mailbox) where the homeowner offers flowers, food, etc. several times a day.                                                                Temple on Lake Bratan

Then we drove to the UNESCO rice terraces.

After sight seeing in central Bali, we went to Nusa Dua (southern Bali) and spent the night in a luxury hotel--the Aston--right on the beach, beautifully landscaped, every amenity, even a breakfast feast. Wonderful.







                               Lobby/Patio at the Aston
                          

Beach at the Aston

Our last evening meal was at the beach at a little restaurant where you picked out the seafood you wanted the cooks to prepare.

Stake Conference

Today we attended the Jakarta Stake Conference. There were 750 in attendance.

 The speakers spoke of missionary work and the importance of sharing the message of the Savior Jesus Christ with friends and family.  In Indonesia it is against the law to share your religion with others unless they ask. 

Last year there were 79 baptisms in Indonesia with 40 so far this year.

Recently we attended the organization of the second stake in Indonesia—this one is in Solo, in Central Java (the main island where Jakarta is also located).

The Church started missionary work in Indonesia around 1970.  Today there are about 6500 members.  Many of the members are second and third generation, have served missions and become the strong foundation of the Church.  The members are very faithful and spiritual.

Cemeteries (including the goats!)

We have three large cemeteries around our apartment complex with thousands of graves.  We are told some people won’t even live here for that reason.  However, so far we have not seen any ghosts, only goats!  Each cemetery has a Christian Section and a Muslim Section.  As you will see from the pictures below, cemeteries are a little different in Indonesia—at least in the city of Jakarta. Various vendors, people live there, etc.

Located just inside the main entrance to the cemetery.  For the inguiring mind, I have bought flowers three different times--which makes this lady and Gail very happy!

You can buy snacks, drinks, or a complete meal of rice, soup, etc.

Chickens attempting to find something to eat!

There are many goats roming the cemetery.  There is plently for them to eat!

Another vendor.  One stop shopping--get you tire fixed, buy gasoline (note the bottles on the shelf-they have gasoline in them!), buy a grave marker.

Someone's house.

Laundry Day!

Cloths hanging out to dry, the sides are plastic tarps that are unrolled at night.  I am told that local people come and teach the children because the parents can not afford to send them to school.