Sunday, April 13, 2008

In Jakarta: Mar 4, 2008 (Tiny X-large)

I went back to the fun forestry office today. Since they told me on Friday that getting my SIMAKSI on Friday "tidak bisa" (not possible) getting it on Monday "tidak bisa" and getting it today was "mungkin" (maybe) possible, I figured I could give it a shot. At least they seemed happier to see me today, although they had completely forgotten ever seeing me last week. We chatted pleasantly for a while and they commented on how "cantik" I was not to be married and not to have a thousand kids. But then they said that the boss would be in a meeting for an indeterminately long time (maybe 8:00 am, no 9:00 am until 5:00 pm), so it seemed hopeless to wait. I sucked it up and decided to return first thing in the morning. This of course probably destroys my chances to leave for Lampung tomorrow and, in turn to go to Kota Agung this weekend. It looks like it might be almost another week before I see forest. By then I will probably forgotten what the hell I came here for anyway. Nothing new...probably all part of their master plan.

Oh, I forgot to mention that the laundry service has decided to hold my dirty clothes hostage. I gave them to the homestay staff 5 or 6 days ago, but only after a special request I may get them by tomorrow morning. Maybe they were mesmerized by the enormity of my pants. In any case, I broke down and tried to shop for clothes yesterday. (I had been wearing the same thing for a few days and was less than flowery.) I soon discovered that Large = X-small and X-large = small, so if you lose a fee pounds you might be able to squeeze into a large. I finally found some X-large shirts that were more like mediums and made of stretchy enough cotton that I could make them work. They are very snazzy fake Polo shirts. I bought two to wear with my patched field pants, a nice affect I am sure you can imagine. I am pretty sure that I look like a German tourist now. I also realized that most of the westerners that I see in Indonesia are pretty damn homely, like the rejects of Europe. Maybe they figure they have a better chance with a nice, young Indonesian man or woman desperate for children with large noses and pasty skin.

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