Indonesia's Presidential Election and Shopping with the Girls

Yesterday was the Presidential election for Indonesia. A National Holiday so no work, yay! Kind of exciting the last few weeks to watch the debates and campaign commercials, which by the way are much more fun than our campaign commercials) and then watch as Bu Elly is voting for SBY, while her husband, Poppy, is voting for JK. Political tension in the household, love it!

To celebrate the day off, I had a girls day out with Bu Elly, Cynara, and Livia. We went to vote where I took photos of them in the voting booths (afterwards they have to get ink on their finger so they can't vote twice) and then we went to the traditional market for shopping. I am going to buy a custom-tailored Kebaya (will only cost me between $25 and 40 USD) so we went to about four or five stores looking at fabric. A kebaya is Indonesian traditional dress that has a sarond (although I am going to have a dress made becuase it's hard to move in a sarong) and then a unique ornately designed jacket to go over a tank top. I looked at numerous designs and now know what I want so on Friday or Saturday we are going to go buy the fabric and show the design to the tailor. So excited!!

Livia got her hair cut (for $1 USD) and Cynara was on a hunt for a really nice all- black outfit to wear for professional photos she is going to use to submit to the Miss Putrih Indonesia competition. Black outfits are very hard to find here. I jokingly asked her if they have any gothic stores like Hot Topic. Once I told her what gothic was she laughed. Nowhere in Indonesia has that! Cynara sadly left empty handed as here you negotiate all prices and after trying a strategy of telling them no and then leaving with the intention of going back later and getting the price you want, the garment was sold. I bought a really nice green and black dress (to be worn over jeans of course). Bu Elly negotiated for my and brought the price from $16.50 down to $12.00. I am wearing it right now as I type at work. My first outfit bought in Indonesia. Can't wait to do more shopping. I also bought a really cheap phone card in the traditional market so Mom, expect a phone call soon!

After shopping we went to eat fish (ikan) at the beach. I had squid on a stick that tasted amazing with the spicy sauce, seaweed vegetable dish, and huge prawn that were perfectly cooked. Everytime I eat seafood with the family or coworkers they want me to eat fish head or the kind of fish that is cooked whole. I tried the body of a whole fish once and there were so many freaking bones that I refuse to eat it anymore. Indonesians are really skilled at eating it quickly and spitting out the bones, but I can't do it so I am being cautious and will no longer eat that. Plus, eating the body of something while its face is looking at you with wide eyes is not my idea of yummy food. I'll take my fish impaled on a stick instead, thank you!

After the fish Bu Elly bought 2kg of either a barracuda or a Wahu that we watched the fishermen chop with a huge butchering knife. Kind of cool to pick out the fish though while the small boats (perahu) are behind the fishermen being unloaded and still have today's nets on them. Very fresh.

We then went home where soon after I realized somehow I seriously hurt my back and was doubled over like a 90 year old all evening. This morning it is still hurt. I have NO IDEA what I did. I wish I could say I hurt it while surfing or something exciting, but my board is in the shop and all I did was walk around all day. It's a mystery. Just FYI, "sakit" is the word to use for pain and being sick here. So if you are sick with influenza you say "Saya sakit" (for "I am sick") and if you are in pain you say "Saya Sakit" or my back is "sakit". I find it kind of confusing. Requires too much explanation to actually tell someone what's wrong with you.

well back to work. The Country Director, Sean, is coming today from Jakarta so I should be prepared to show him my progress.