Journey to Jakarta

After being awake for 48 hours

I guess you could say my journey to Jakarta began back in June when I packed up my home to head out to this fascinating city.  I stayed with friends over the course of three months prior to my departure (which was last Saturday night).  I enjoyed time with the Vasquez family.  Gracie and I got along famously!  As a thank you, I antiqued their kitchen and bath cabinets and worked on clearing dead plants from the side and front yards.  Good exercise.  Then it was on to The House of Mings :) where I was allowed to just relax and play pool, and then on to The Crawfords where I experienced an electrical black out and someone hitting my parked car and taking off...damage was minimal.  I woodgrained two sets of french doors as a thank you.  Back to The House of Ming for more R&R and then finally, I went to The Duncans for two days of great fun, excellent food and drink while preparing for my departure.  My friend Amanda kept me busy on the weekends as we had fun playing pool and finding bars that serve Guiness.  :) My friend, Tim, came along on our last night out and it was a fun night for a send off!

When Saturday came, it was a long night of flying and then another day's worth.  I fell in the Taipei airport and it was a gentle reminder that outside the U.S., the rest of the world is not safety-proofed and you have to really pay attention to where you step!  Then it was on to Jakarta and to meet my client's assistant Fi Fang, who couldn't have been more accommodating.  

My first impression was just how kind the Indonesian people are...and how crowded the city appeared to be.  And the Traffic!  The way the traffic moves is rather nerve racking, and yet very harmonic.  No accidents, but everyones driving wherever they can fit, e.g., three cars in two lanes with motorcycles weaving around them.  Very interesting...motorcycles and mopeds moving gracefully between the cars at all times....Chaotic and yet flowing.  Well, I have to quickly run down and catch my breakfast before I start a day of work in this relentless heat....ugh.....:)  Love to all!  D.