We spent the last week running around offices in Jakarta. "Running" is euphemistic for sitting in offices waiting for officials to prepare and sign off on forms. We are still not quite documented, although I have something called a "KITAS," which I think means I can do research here. I still have to visit the provincial governor in Surabaya, perhaps a holdover from the colonial days of hierarchy and bureaucracy. But it gives more people jobs!
On the last night in Jakarta we visited "Plaza Indonesia" which consists of four huge floors of sheer glitz, Gucci, Armani, all the big name stores. As a man we met in the airport (another person trying to be helpful to these confused Americans) put it, there is wealth concentrated at the top, and that makes it look like the average is higher than it is, when there is still much poverty. Sound familiar? He should know. He works for the Ministry of Finance.
One great benefit of these days of satisfying officialdom was getting to know two other Fulbrights who were going through the same process. Besides bemoaning the tedious process, we shared our interests in being here. One has worked for NPR and will do reports for the World, on PRI. The other is making a trip to Bali, a place he has known since going there many times when he was a surfer kid. Now he does research on Balinese rituals and theater performances. Very sophisticated.
I am just glad to be here, and whatever "research" I do will be to get to know and understand this country and its people, and especially try to link Muslim and Christian a little more. As Pak Parto, our all-around helper in Malang, put it so well: "When we open our hearts, love will find a way." Could we find a better vision for this adventure? Obviously, thanks for reading, and I welcome your comments.
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