#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 26 - Kesuma

Dinner at Kesuma Restaurant tonight. The food is so good here. Indonesian, but with a depth and complexity to it that distinguishes it from the regular fare.

When Charlie was done with his usual activity of stoning to death (or severe irritation) the fish in the pond, he took to sitting on the front step, counting in bahasa Indonesia the motorbikes as they went past. No wonder he can count well beyond seratus (one hundred)!

#100HappyDays - Day 25 - Part 3. Home-grown produce and yummy dinners

Finished off a nice day with:

SUPER fresh kelapa muda (young cocount), straight off one of the trees at Yabbiekayu;

(look closely, you'll see me in my new specs!) 

Charlie peruses the menu at Mediterranea

and dinner at Mediterranea, our favourite local restaurant when we feel like something a little fancy.

#100HappyDays - Day 25 - Part 2. Shopping Mall Talent Show

Solo mission to Malioboro Mall today, to get adjustments made so my new glasses (yay!) don't slip off my little nose (boo!). As I walked in to centre court, I found a performance taking place, called "Moms and Kids".


The first thing I noticed was that it was loud. And I mean really loud. I can only presume that Indonesian PA engineers are all already deaf, because I'm yet to find one turned to anything lower than ear-splitting. So loud was the music that I'm only 70% sure that they were singing in English - though that may be due in part to the kids' adorably accented take on the language. It sounds like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...



After the charming rendition, the hostesses appeared, their attempts to hype the crowded mall hindered because their voices were super-distorted. Both women were very attractive, if rather heavily made up. But I admit to being mildly concerned for the innocence of the kids sitting on the floor, watching the particularly short-skirted hostess strut around on stage.



After I think what scared/fascinated me most about this strange cultural experience was seeing the proud kids, after one-by-one yelling their name into the microphone before disappearing back-of-stage, re-emerge to join their Moms (and a few dads), triumphantly carrying their prize - a drink of water and a box of fried chicken! 

Indonesia: proudly increasing children's confidence AND waistlines... (and killing their ear drums).

Experiences like this remind me where I am, and definitely put a smile on my face.

#100HappyDays - Day 25 - Part 1. Charlie Sings The Call To Prayer

After a refreshing morning swim, Charlie and I sat down for a drink and a bite to eat. The loudspeaker of the local masjid (mosque) crackled into life for the midday call to prayer. And the adorable little guy starts copying the Imam, singing his own call to prayer. I only wish I'd been quicker on the draw with the camera - but I captured one of Charlie's repeated versions.

#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 23 - OPP (no boundaries)

Charlie is so comfortable here now, he just climbs on neighbour's sepeda motor (motor cycle) and tries to start it, turn on the indicators, etc. A little disconcerting - I hope he doesn't find one with the key left in. But he's clearly right at home.

(Catching up - apologies for the delay)