Category Archives: Our Daily Life

Jakartans claim public spaces wherever they can find room

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Katherine

If you have noticed the long lull between posts on this blog, you are simply watching what happens after about a year of living in a foreign country. What was once a surprising and obvious topic for a blog has … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Food & Drink, Indonesia, Our Daily Life | 2 Comments

After tense election season, Indonesians breathe sigh of relief

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Katherine

Today my Indonesian language teacher showed up for our lesson wearing a blue and red checkered shirt, typical of the supporters of the newly elected president Joko Widodo (known by his nickname, Jokowi). Today, it seems like the wait is finally … Continue reading →

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There are no foreign lands

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Katherine

When we set out to build our life together abroad, we thought of ourselves embarking on an adventure in foreign lands; we’ve evolved. Over the past three years, we have spent most of our time outside of the U.S.; first … Continue reading →

Posted in Our Daily Life | Tagged | 5 Comments

Jakartans jockey carpool laws

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Katherine

If you’ve been following this blog, you’ve read all about the trials of Jakarta traffic, but there are a few fascinating tidbits left to learn. The city has in fact made an attempt at limiting traffic on the most major … Continue reading →

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Jakarta takes first steps for sidewalks

Posted on November 10, 2013 by Katherine

Yesterday the Jakarta Globe (one of two major English-language newspapers here) published an optimistic cover piece about a movement to improve Jakarta’s sidewalks. As I’ve said in previous posts, transport in this city is a problem almost beyond description, as … Continue reading →

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Streetside livestock bring redemption and risk

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Katherine

Once a year New York City sidewalks fill up with pine trees for sale. Once a year Jakarta sidewalks fill up with livestock for sale. As Muslims plan to sacrifice them in Allah’s name – as I wrote in our … Continue reading →

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In the absence of public works, Jakartans cope with a daily slog

Posted on October 5, 2013 by Katherine

Traffic is the unifying element in Jakarta life; it’s effect on the lives of all Jakartans cannot be overstated. Unless you have been in it, Jakarta traffic is difficult to understand. Each day, 28 million people go to work and … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Indonesia, Our Daily Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Jakarta landlords play by their own rules

Posted on September 28, 2013 by Katherine

The first time someone asked me for two years’ rent upfront in advance my jaw dropped. I just don’t keep 55 grand lying around. In my financial accounting class perhaps the most important principal was: Money now is worth more … Continue reading →

Posted in Bureaucracy, Indonesia, Our Daily Life | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

This cat is not meant to be a pet

Posted on September 14, 2013 by Katherine

At the Bird Market in Jakarta, you can find (and buy) hundreds of domestic cats. This cat is not one of them. The man who was selling it called it a “forest cat,” but we believe it’s an Asiatic Golden … Continue reading →

Posted in Indonesia, Nature, the environment & landscapes, Our Daily Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Doughnuts for Ramadan

Posted on August 3, 2013 by Katherine

                  Since Lebaran is pretty much the only thing going on in Indonesia for the next week, we will continue to share small tidbits about what it is like here. I think … Continue reading →

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