Category Archives: People and Places
one of my favorite restaurants in Yogya
Still raining… It takes planning to arrive somewhere where you can stay for a couple of hours during the downpour. It is very difficult to drive a car, much less a motorbike in this.
“Mila’s” restaurant is a wonderful vegetarian restaurant that also is very involved in community outreach projects. Milas helped families in the aftermath of the devastating eruption of Mount Merapi, by offering training in organic farming to families of the village of Bangunrego. Many people continue to eke out their existence in shelters, not knowing if they will ever be allowed to move back to their houses and live on their land on the slopes of Merapi. Milas offers community programs centered on street youth, they provide workshops on health issues that are not often talked about in Indonesian society including reproductive health, contraception and HIV/Aids as well as free HIV testing for the homeless. They offer playgroups for children and a library of books on social, health, environmental and educational topics for Indonesian readers. Maestrale often buys handicrafts made by at-risk youth, all monies going to help support their programs.
the rainy season is supposed to be over…
In Java now. It is raining most afternoons – hard, for a couple of hours. I’m glad I brought my waterproof Chaco sandals. When it rains like this, you end up walking in water.
Bali’s Sidewalk Lid Replacement Project
A bit of a contrast to Port Townsend’s Downtown Sidewalk Lid Replacement Project. The contrast struck me, but this is the reality in Bali as well as many Asian countries – some better or worse than others. Be careful walking, especially at night!
the morning puja
Seen everywhere in Bali, these small offerings made of banana leaf and filled with flowers, food and incense are prepared each morning and placed on the sidewalks at entrances to homes, stores, temples – everywhere, as an offering of prayer, gratitude and protection in daily life.
Ceremony and religion is everywhere in Balinese life. These photos are from a convenience store in the Bali airport. The store clerk is making the morning puja offerings of food, flowers, incense and prayer at the various alters set up in the store – on product shelves, next to the “pringles”, on the wall behind the cash register.
