May 28, 2009 Padang

I feel different somewhow. It always amazes me how my entire mood changes when super close to the ocean (“laut”). I noticed it even as we flew over Sumatra from Jakarta, but I feel it even stronger as I lay here in my swankey hotel room (only $50.00 a night but beautiful) right on the beach. I could tell I made the right choice saying no (I actually learned the word!) to Sean yesterday when he asked if I wanted to stay in Jakarta for two more weeks before coming to Padang, when within ten minutes of driving in the car with Bu Endang, my boss in Padang, and her daughter, Risa, we were discussing fishermen and climate change. Big change from urban issues and flood risk reduction. Risa even invited me to join her one day when she teaches English to poor fishermen’s children. Can’t wait!

And Bu Endang requrested I give the climate presentation to her staff and the staff of a local NGO, Kogami. Kasey, The Climate Project Presenter, goes international! I’ll be sure to tell Jenny Clad, the Executive Director. Not sure if they have had any presentation in Indonesia just yet.

When we drove into Padang they offered to treat me to dinner and so we went to a seafood restaurant where we ate rice, green veggies like spinach, and whole prawns BBQ in coconut sauce on a stick that all together was $15USD if you can believe it. Enak sekali (very delicious).

My first Indonesian meal with others. I’ve been all alone when not in the kantor (office) so it was so nice tonight. Just what I needed. We ended at the restaurant with 2 pictures being taken, one next to the live crab tank, yes crab not lobster, and the other on the deck where we ate overlooking the Indian Ocean.

I can tell I am going to have to be much more cognitive of customs and etiquette here than in Jakartra which I like. I agree with what Vanessa told me this afternoon over NY deli sandwiches and lattes – W. Sumatra is the REAL Indonesia.