On our 3rd day in country we moved to our new house to begin the process of getting settled and creating a new place to call home. Now it must be noted first off that all things take longer to do here. One of the first phrases our teammates and friends have shared with us is the concept of “jam karet” which means rubber time. The familiar phrase “it is not wrong just different” permeated my thoughts as we learned to adjust our expectations to be closer to the realities of our new home.
Mostly that was not a problem and we had a lot to fun looking for and attempting to communicate our desires and needs as we gathered dishes, appliances, beds, furniture and various inconsequentials to set up home. The brands are almost all different so it is has been an adventure to determine what kinds of things we would like to use in our home, like toilet paper, plastic wrap, foil and shampoo. Some things that are readily available in the States are not used at all here. For example, there are two items not used that were a bit of a surprise; top sheets and table knives. So the idea of buttering a piece of toast or bread became a creative adventure. Now for the top sheets we finally found a place to buy them but for a very high price as a separate piece and not as a set. After a month here we found someone to make the bedding we still needed and that was far more reasonable deal.
Each day we learn something new and figure out a bit more about our new surroundings. It is not Amerika and we were quickly reminded of that as we set out to discover the things we needed and consequently did not need to run our home. We had great help from our teammates in getting the big things. They guided the way and advocated on our behalf when needed. We did learn one afternoon what is meant by “white tax.” The many indonesians we met and continue to meet are very warm and friendly. Some of those we met are making there living by selling their wares or items. Many things are for sale everywhere you go and there are many warungs, tokos or small stores in the front part of the homes.
We met two men one day who were selling their paintings. As soon as they saw us they opened their large rolls of oil paintings of various sizes and subjects. These local artists were delighted to have us, a group of new very white foreigners, look and consider there workmanship. We were all there and soon everyone wanted a special painting for their room. We had a massive 10ft white walls in a nearly empty home, why not get a couple paintings, right? Bring a little color into the house. Well the negotiating began and we happily settled on price for our favorite paintings and our devoted friend and helper communicated on our behalf. As we were completing our purchase our new friends were very excited and offering a few free paintings to go along with our selection. Our friend was nervous that they were a little too happy and later we found out from our language helper through her polite laughs that we may have paid a bit more than we should have for our prized paintings. She called this white tax and giggled some more saying Maaf, maaf Ibu, apologizing for her laughter. What do they say, you live you learn? We love the paintings and they bring a smile each time we look at them as a memory of our first days here. Ibu Maria, our language helper and friend still laughs each time she see them and Pak Eddy is an ever devoted friend stopping by once in a while to see if we need anymore paintings to decorate our home.
Mostly that was not a problem and we had a lot to fun looking for and attempting to communicate our desires and needs as we gathered dishes, appliances, beds, furniture and various inconsequentials to set up home. The brands are almost all different so it is has been an adventure to determine what kinds of things we would like to use in our home, like toilet paper, plastic wrap, foil and shampoo. Some things that are readily available in the States are not used at all here. For example, there are two items not used that were a bit of a surprise; top sheets and table knives. So the idea of buttering a piece of toast or bread became a creative adventure. Now for the top sheets we finally found a place to buy them but for a very high price as a separate piece and not as a set. After a month here we found someone to make the bedding we still needed and that was far more reasonable deal.
Each day we learn something new and figure out a bit more about our new surroundings. It is not Amerika and we were quickly reminded of that as we set out to discover the things we needed and consequently did not need to run our home. We had great help from our teammates in getting the big things. They guided the way and advocated on our behalf when needed. We did learn one afternoon what is meant by “white tax.” The many indonesians we met and continue to meet are very warm and friendly. Some of those we met are making there living by selling their wares or items. Many things are for sale everywhere you go and there are many warungs, tokos or small stores in the front part of the homes.
We met two men one day who were selling their paintings. As soon as they saw us they opened their large rolls of oil paintings of various sizes and subjects. These local artists were delighted to have us, a group of new very white foreigners, look and consider there workmanship. We were all there and soon everyone wanted a special painting for their room. We had a massive 10ft white walls in a nearly empty home, why not get a couple paintings, right? Bring a little color into the house. Well the negotiating began and we happily settled on price for our favorite paintings and our devoted friend and helper communicated on our behalf. As we were completing our purchase our new friends were very excited and offering a few free paintings to go along with our selection. Our friend was nervous that they were a little too happy and later we found out from our language helper through her polite laughs that we may have paid a bit more than we should have for our prized paintings. She called this white tax and giggled some more saying Maaf, maaf Ibu, apologizing for her laughter. What do they say, you live you learn? We love the paintings and they bring a smile each time we look at them as a memory of our first days here. Ibu Maria, our language helper and friend still laughs each time she see them and Pak Eddy is an ever devoted friend stopping by once in a while to see if we need anymore paintings to decorate our home.
We are now here for almost 8 weeks and the house looks and feels like a home. We have beds, bedding, furniture, kitchen supplies, essentials, painted walls, a puppy, resident lizards and of course the most beautiful indonesian paintings a newbee could ever buy!
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