Massages. While you eat.

In the southern tourist part of town, Jalan Prawirotaman, there is a funny old character named Bapak O'Om. Not sure of the spelling, but it's pronounced 'Oh-ohm'. We've met him on previous trips, as he goes from restaurant to restaurant, bar to bar, offering massages to the patrons for a small fee. And while he rubs  head, face, neck and shoulders, he delights in talking of his family, especially his children, of whom he is incredibly proud. He's one of the true characters of Jogja.

Here he is, massaging my wife, bringing her as much joy as the Via Via bakery cheesecake we shared shortly afterwards. Conversation with Pak O'Om of course focussed mostly on his family, and ours - especially the new addition. He is incredibly confident he knows the gender. And in September we find out if he was right.

#100HappyDays - Day 27 - Home Invasion 2 (reciprocation)

It was only a matter of time.

There's never been much reason for the kids to visit Rumah Dave (Dave's house) - and I imagine that behind the gates and walls this house might have been seen with a sense of a mystery. But now that Rumah Dave has become Rumah Charlie, curiosity has conquered fear.

At first it was just a couple of girls, who approached with apparent trepidation, asking from the yard if Charlie would like to bermain (play). But today they ventured in through the gates, to door step. Chartlie wheeled over his toy box, and before long they were sitting inside on the floor, sharing his colouring books and other toys.

It's beautiful to watch him interacting with other kids despite the language barrier. But when you think about it it's not all that different to playing with toddlers back home, where they are all only just learning English.

#100HappyDays - Day 24 - Education, Culture and the Beach

We were picked up early (6:30am) for a car trip to a village in the Gunung Kidul region east of Jogja.

The purpose was for a cultural experience, attending a local school to talk to the children about where we are from, to expose the children to other languages and cultures, and to hopefully inspire some of them to think about possible futures beyond the boundaries of their own village.

We began with a rousing rendition of the Indonesian national anthem sung by the kids. And then a lot of talking in Indonesian, most of which went way over my head. But the song and dance performances - almost all by the girls while the boys sat watching - were really sweet. 

We played a game, where some of the children were encouraged to ask us a question in English, in return for a prize. The questions were simple - do you like Indonesia, what food do you like here, what is your favourite food from Australia. And then I got to ask a question - and I challenged them to point to Australia on the map of the world hanging behind the stage area. IT too a few goes, but eventually they got it. I'm not sure many Aussie kids of a similar age would be able to point to Indonesia without a little help.

   

Kai and her Mum taught the kids (again, mainly the girls) how to play that clapping game with the song "A Sailor Went To Sea Sea Sea", and the kids played a game of catch that was very similar to a game I remember from my own primary school days many years back.

Some more dancing, some more singing, and the young Moroccan lady on the trip with us sang a song for the kids. There was a closing thank you, we were presented with certificates of attendance. And then it was time to go. 

We jumped back in the car and headed to the beach for the afternoon. It wasn't really a swimming beach, but it did have a cave, and with a little effort were able to source a seafood lunch.

All in all an interesting day, and no doubt something a little different for Charlie's grandparents to experience as part of their visit.

#100HappyDays - Day 16 - Beard props

There were a lot of things to be grateful for yesterday, like a successful trip to the optometrist (overcoming language barrier), a riverside walk, shopping with my family...

But I probably smiled most when I was stopped on Jl Malioboro (Jogja's busiest shopping street) by a random Indonesian man. Being where I was, I presumed he was trying to sell me something. But no, he just wanted to congratulate me on my facial hair!

He went on to tell of his efforts as a young man to encourage his own beard growth, rubbing herbal ointment on his face - but it didn't seem to work.

Random, happy meetings.

#100HappyDays - Day 15 - Home invasion

Charlie just rode his bike up someone's driveway and into their living room this morning. Inside was a woman and a four year old girl. The boy just made himself home, sitting on their mat and started playing with her toys. Before long, and with only a handful of words in Indonesian, he'd made a new friend.

A short time later two of her friends arrived, and next thing you know, Charlie is putting on a clown show. So amazing to watch how quickly he adapts.

#100HappyDays - Day 09 - Fruit from a stranger

Yesterday the kind old bapak (father, Mister) who lives up the street, whose name I don't yet know despite regularly exchanging pleasantries whenever we pass, stopped me as I rode past his rumah (home, house). I didn't quite understand what he said, but the general gist was "wait here, I have something for Charlie". He went inside and returned with a bag of fruit. Turns out to be jambu air, also known as water apple, rose apple, Java apple or bell fruit. Certainly made for an interesting breakfast, and set is up for a happy and productive day.

Shot with Sony Xperia Z1