Entry Point 2

I don't know about you guys, but its nice too see Graffiti as a "universal" art. I wonder what one could find in Japan or Malaysia along these lines mhmmmm.

 

These weird little things are hung up on trees as lamps for a respectable lamp store located in the area. Me and my driver both thought that they sheepskin stretched for decoration for a nice "traditional" restaurant.. Not quite. They actually look like demon babies yet to be hatched or something, kind of eerie actually haha...

Personally I thought this big guy was an ancient Hindu god of some kind, I later found out he was a king which ruled in Jakarta long ago..

 Spicy ketchup - you have to try it to believe it. As soon as I did, I was hooked on it pronto. Siracha is like sugar compared to this "bad boi". Its AT LEAST 3-5 times hotter than Siracha, Indo for you. 

 
82% of the population in Indonesia are Moslem, so mosques are a common sight here. You will here verses from the Quran chanted everyday (sometimes different verses and sometimes not). You get used to it after a while and its kind of nice hearing the practitioners chanting with the guy in the background. In the name of Dr.Bronners: 

Who else but God gave man Love that can spark mere dust to life! Poetry, uniting All-One! All brave! All life! Who else but God! "Listen Children Eternal Father Eternally One!"

I have no idea what the hell this place is - $5 is yours if you can find out what this place is. That's 50,000RP, a square meal for the day, think abooouut ittttt. 

(Video 1) This little diva is my home girl. She so insistent on getting scratched that god forbid I scratch one of the other dogs, she will literally jump on top of them and shoo them off ha

(Video 2)Ya, unfortunately this dog may not be the brightest and she begs for food like non other - but shes a good dog.

A Jakarta Post issue which came out in 1998 during Soeharto's resignation. Much has changed during that time period and Indonesia is getting back into swing of things.

My cubicle where I dibble dabble with various articles I am writing on and read the 'latest & greatest' from Associated Press or Reuters (or buddies). 

  
Basically my viewpoint everyday. Literally..

And the first thing I thought when I saw this, "This is a nice throwback to Superman ". . .  no comment

Apparently these guys have been doing something right, as these are awards they've accumulated in over 25 years of being in press. . Pretty impressive when seen actually. 

 

This is where they hold there meetings everyday, around 3pm or so. Talking about whats going to be in Tomorrow's newspaper. I had the privilege of sitting down during one their meetings on 'Day 1' - kind of a surreal experience.

Various paintings and pictures strewn up about the place, it needs something more than damn newspapers haha. 

So over the course of my short internship (Jul.15th - Aug. 10th), I have written 3 articles for The Jakarta Post. The one above was defiantly the most exciting, as its not everyday you get to meet an Ambassador. The hidden joys of journalism I guess. The above article was about Heinz Walker-Nederkoorns' (Ambassador of Switzerland to Indonesia and Timor Leste) viewpoint on the 60th year anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Indonesia. In other words, a "Q&A" report heh. Pretty nice guy and very knowledgeable about about Indonesia and its neighbor's. 

The other two report's were about western viewpoint's on certain key issues related to the US. My first article was about how westerners view 9/11 and how young people view the laws and traditions of Islam (article will be released closer towards 9/11). My second article was about the shooting in Colorado and Americas stances on gun control past/present (release TBA).
  

So in order to save about $60 - $80(+) dollars on my VISA I had to go and fly out to Singapore for the day, and basically buy another VISA on arrival when landing back in Jakarta. Wish I could have taken more interesting pictures, but it wasn't an over night stay like Japan. Not to mention they had their own version of a cactus garden at the airport, but I wasn't to impressed by it (just a place for weary travelers to get some fresh air really). My habitual gum chewing had to cease for the day, as their trafficking and gum laws are f***** ridiculous. . Just sayin

Next Up Taman Safari Zoo...