This is Indonesia...

When we first moved here, people told us that a phrase we MUST learn is "TII" -- "This is Indonesia."  It is a phrase used to explain the unexplainable.  A phrase used to calm yourself down when you would rather scream.  Or punch someone.  It is a way to make the absurd justifiable.  "Of course that is totally ridiculous, but this is Indonesia!" 

So, over the course of the last for months, I have definitely had some "TII" moments. Here are some of my (not-so) favorites.

1.  Brownie mixes here are really expensive (like $4 or $5).  I was at the store one day and saw a buy-one-get-one free sign and two boxes taped together.  YES!  I grabbed that one, and a bunch more, and was super excited.  I found my friends to tell them and we walked over the to shelf.  There was a worker there TAKING DOWN THE SIGN and then when she looked at my cart said, "Sorry, if they aren't taped together, they aren't for the buy-one-get-one-free promotion."  Apparently tape=free.  No tape = highway robbery.

2. Most of the malls have nursing rooms (for which I am thankful).  One day, I took Katelynn in one to nurse and was by myself.  Another lady came in with her child and mother.  Me, trying to be discreet (I loathe nursing in public), pulls my shirt down a bit and continue to feed.  The mother comes right up to me, lifts up my shirt, and tells me "Tidak bagus!"  Meaning, "not good!"  Apparently my entire b.r.e.a.s.t. needs to be showing in order for the baby to be able to breath.  Silly me, I am on my fourth kid and never knew this. 

3. I was at the store last weekend and saw that the bookstore finally had a copy of Twilight.  I have resisted reading this for so long because, come on, it is a book about VAMPIRES. But, sometimes I just want something to read and everyone assures me that it is good despite being about a subject I care nothing for.  I looked at the price and decided a book I didn't even want to read wasn't worth $13.  So I left.  I was in a different bookstore a while later and saw another copy -- this time, only $6.  Okay, I can swing $6 for a book I may hate.  I look at the cover, see the raving reviews on the front, and I buy it. When I get down to the car I pull off the plastic they insist on wrapping EVERY book with (because you shouldn't get to read if you don't pay) and flipped it over.  Huh?  What's this?  Uh-oh -- it is not in English, it is in Bahasa Indonesia.  And while I am able to communicate with my helper and with taxi drivers I am not ready to read an entire book in a language I barely know.  So, since we were still in the parking garage I go back up to the store to return it.  After explaining in my elementary Indonesian that I bought this book TWENTY MINUTES ago and then found out that it wasn't in English.  I told them the cover is in English, as are the reviews, and so why wouldn't I have thought it was in English. I asked if they had an English version which they did not.  So, I told them I would like to return it.  "O, tidak bisa!"  Basically, "nope, can't do it."  What?  I bought it twenty minutes ago and thought that because of all the English on the cover and the mere fact that it IS an English book it would, in fact, be in English.  But nope.  So, anyone want TWILIGHT in Bahasa Indonesia? 

One more  (though there are many...)

4.  Yesterday I was out shopping at the outlet malls with a friend.  Bandung has a lot of factory outlet stores where you can buy western clothes (Gap, Old Navy, etc.) There are often problems with them (sized wrong, overstocked, etc). My friend was looking specifically for more shirts and because some shirts don't fit well with her body, she wisely decided to try them on first.  Then there was the sign, and the story lady waiting to pounce, that kindly informed us that you are not allowed to try on t-shirts.  The sign read, "do not try the t-shirt."  My friend, whose language skills surpass mine, politely asked WHY we couldn't try on shirts.  Apparently, they will get stretched out.  However, according to the store clerk you can buy it, THEN try it on, and if you don't like it you can return it.  Yea, because THAT won't stretch it out.  We declined the buy, try, and return method and went to another store. 

Thankfully, the beautiful scenery, the kind people, and the amazing culture of this place are also Indonesia.  It makes the other stuff easier to swallow.

And, so I don't leave this post pictureless, I was up in the middle of the night two of the last three nights and scrapped.  What else can you do at 2:30 in the morning?

Comments

[Christin]

Oh, I love the two new layouts! Are these made from your templates??? If so, which ones? Love 'em!

[joelsgirl_Kellie]

:( Those are little things that can make you crazy. My personal favorite was when Pizza Hut had a "Half-n-half any two toppings" promotion, but one topping had to be pineapple&chicken...even though I was looking at the sign that said, "ANY two toppings".
And, btw, I would LOVE to mail you all 4 Twilight books! They are just sitting on my self, RM200 just wasting away because I will never have time to read them again. So if you'd be happy to receive them, send me your mailing address and I'll send them your way ASAP.

[MandaKay]

Oh my my - crazy things that happened! I am intrigued by your last LO with the crayon and cheese grater - what a neat idea! And I might add a great way to use up some of those broken crayons that I normally just throw away!

[Tammy]

I so love reading your blog and keeping up with your adventures! But I have to admit that I'm hoping you get the internet connection thing fixed soon. Miss the regular updates to your SBG store!