It is 2:15 am and my eyes popped open and my mind sys it is time to get up. lela is fast asleep in her room and I find myself writting to you all.
Our journey began on the 19th of May and we both were excited to get going. Chris took us to the Portland airport where our luggage was screened and sent straight through to Jakarta. We boarded and flew to San Francisco where we boarded a Boeing 747 for Hong Kong. Both flights were uneventful but made some new acquaintances both at the airport waiting for our flights and while on board. I must say that Cathay Pacific takes and treats their passegers remarkedly well. It was a flash back to the past when I worked for Northwest, customer service was a priority and that was seen through the flight crews care and the meals served. As an example, their was a couple seated in front of us and the wife became ill with what probably was migraine headache. The husband rang for the attendants and within second seven concerned attendants was at her beacon call. The took her temperature for I assume they were concerned about the Swine flu. They attended to her for about a half and hour or son and kept checking on her throughout the flight. Fear of the flu was seen and the tension of their passenger havng this illness was very visible. Out of 400 passengers about half to two-thirds of them were of Asian descent and wore masks, including the flight attendants.
The lady I sat next to slept most of the fourteen hour flight and when she wa not sleeping we talked a little. She was from Hong Kong, coming back from San Francisco where she visited her mother. Both Lela and I slept very little on the plane athough she has adjusted to the time differnce better than I which is why I amd writiing this note. We tried and finally at about the tenth hour we dosed off. How many movies can one watch? To continue, I have had my fill and we both was amazed at how few are worth watching, since the airlines offered a vast collection of them. We also felt odd for their were about 10 hours of total darkness, it reminded me of Alaska and felt heavy and almost oppressive. I was told prior to leaving the states that tour arrival day was a holiday. Some concern surfaced but we took a moment and sliently sought solace from above. so as our journey came closer to our destination some concern arose regarding transportation to the school. However, as we deboarded and arrived in the terminal two things struck us; the beauty of the flora, and marble that was on the floors and walls and the airpots cleanliness. Also, this was the scene of my first goof. Much like the rest rooms on Croatia there was a bathroom attendant. She was pleasant and I was tired and slow on the uptake. I thanked her and yesterday at our briefing found out she expected a tip but unfortunately, it was my oversight and all she recieved was a thanks. that does not put food on the table for the average person only makes about $4000.00 a year which was also much like Craotia.
I left the Toilet as it is called here and Lela and I proceeded to the security checkout line andwere struck by the sign "drugs dealers will be executed!" Wow. Jim Hills was also strck by this very concrete threat. I did not mention earlier about these security screens whcih took place at each stop and the lines seemed endless. These screenings meant alot of lifting our luggage, shoes and jackets onto the converyor belt while they were sreened. In Hong Kong, we had to walk through their x-ray machine and have your body totaly scanned. You had to stand spread eagle with your arms above your head, somwhat uncomfortable and unnerving knowing somebady saw my whole anantomy. UGH. Lela had a dime in her pocket so was searched.
While in the line at the Jakarta airport two gentlemen came and called us out of line, took our luggage and rushed and I do mean rushed us through security and a mass of people to those who had come to pick us up. The faces, of those waiting in line and the group of onlookers waiting to pick up a favority of people, were not exactly welcoming. Then on the ride to the school we chatted with Catherine, a young woman who had emailed me previously, she is bright, funny and very gracious. Cat teaches psch classes but looks like she ought to be a student. She will be married in December. THe ride took about forty minutes reninded me of Mexico and L.A. Motor bikes, cars, trucks etc..all veying for the and same space. I tried not to look after the first couple of close calls.
On our arrival we had to go up six lights of stairs and were ushered into a lovely apartment and our bags were brought up by some students. I bathed and went to bed early and woke up at 1:30 am. The next morning Lela and I were to meet some of the faculty and be briefed on Indonesia and the schoolWe met two other visiting lectuers Sharon from Arkansas and Andy from Minnesota. Andy will be a full time professor here next year. I was able to see Sheldon for a few moments as he welcomed us. After the brieing Sinta, she is tops, took Lela to lunch as i met with the Head off the psych department I still have difficulty with the gentlemans name, it sounds like PaDaydy and the lady is Brigida. It was a loveley meal but as usual I talk the complete tme answering their inquiries and reegarding "biblical integration" of which they seemed interested but unaware of how to do this. We talked about our psych student population which is numerically about the same as ours at Corban. The I was asked to by PaDaydy to assist him with a seminar on Aging. The country appears to be behind in this area in meeting and/or preparing to take care of this growing population.
Next I found out from Brigida that my box of textbooks and materials has not arrived and class begins on Monday. Fortunately, I have one other Marriage and Family textbook and the amnual for my Grouop Dynamics class but will need to go online for my Gerontology class textbook. Please think of me as I muddle through this time of testing or trial depending on how you look at it. I sent an email to Bonnie Hills to check and see when the materials was sent. Sometimes, I was told the books made be conficated but there is no way to know. Textbooks from other countries cost and arm and leg here and since the annual income is so low that becomes a hardship for the students. After lunch which was very tasty, at least the four bites i was able to eat, we went to observe an Autism Seminar. Then, I met up with Lela, Sinta, and George Frahm who gave Lela and I a stroll through the Mall and food market. Lela and I went back to the market and picked up a few groceries. Believe it or not it is almost cheaper to eat out then to cook. But we both like our morning coffee and purchased studff for sandwiches. Four bags fulls later which cost us $23.00 American. The exchange rate if 10,500 Rupiahs for 1 dollar US.
Exhausted from the trip, the day and overwhelmed with what was asked of me I retired to bed only to wake up at 2:15. It is saturday and I need to prep for class and some sight seeing.
I am posting a few pictures Lela took more pictures than i but she is sleeping and am not sure she has the cable to upload her pictures to send, but will try later.
For now my love, thoughts are with you all.
Ellen and Lela
