Cultural Adaptations - Vacuum Indo-style

A couple months ago we bought a rug for our living room to help make it feel a little more like home, and to have a softer place to sit and play on our all-tile floor. So, once we bought the carpet we decided to purchase a small "dust-buster"-type vacuum to clean it when it gets dirty. However, quickly I learned that the quality of vacuums here aren't the greatest...at least not the one I purchased. It would take me about 30 minutes to do a half-decent job on my 6'x8' rug. I used to like vacuuming because of the instant gratification that came from a once dirty room being transformed into a wonderfully fresh vacuum-lined room! But there was no "instant" with this vacuum. But I did this for a couple months. All the while, my pembantu (house-helper) must have been laughing at me on the inside the entire time. Because one day last week, while I was attempting to vacuum the carpet again (while Corey and the girls were watching), she suggested I try a new way...the way Indonesians "vacuum" rugs.

This is what she handed me:


I confess, both Corey and I were more than a bit skeptical as to how this could possibly do a better job than a vacuum! But, Corey graciously took it and began sweeping with it (in the way we would hold a broom). She smiled at him and said the way he was doing it would take a lot longer, so she asked is she could show us how she does it. She held it at a 45 degree angle on the carpet and began sweeping. Within two minutes the entire carpet was clean, she then proceeded to use a normal broom to sweep up around the carpet and...ta-da...it was clean! So much for western technology! I spent about $20 for a small vacuum that didn't work how I had hoped, and then my pembantu handed me a little broom that cost about 50 cents that did an amazing job. I think there's plenty more for me to learn here. :)

Can you pray for me?

Catelyn is asking for prayer for her to feel better soon. Yesterday evening her tummy started to hurt, so she didn't want to eat much dinner...and it was pizza! So that was our first clue that she wasn't feeling too well. Then she woke in the middle of the night throwing up. So she got to sleep with Mommy. :) This morning her tummy is feeling better, but now she has a fever of 102. So, she's asking for you to pray for her to get better soon. Thanks!

She's still a cutie-pie when she's sick! :)

Cultural Adaptations - Restrooms

Here is the adaptation that you have all been waiting for. A friend of mine, who I'm going to school with here, made a must-see video for all that want to have an idea of what the bathroom experience is like here. Please take the time to watch this and then take some time to pray for us. You'll understand.

Click here to see the video!

My 17-Month-Old Diva

So, this is how my daughter came out of her playroom today...with a red tutu and sunglasses! Had to snap a pic of her first fashion attempt! Too cute!

Cultural Adaptations - Warung

This has become so normal to us now...a warung. A warung is a small store or restaurant that is attached to the owners home. This is their business. You will notice the curtained doorway in the back of the picture...that's the door to their home. We have at least a dozen of these in our immediate neighborhood. The one in this picture is a nice and clean one and is big compared to many others. The owners (and family members) simply sit and wait for someone to come to their warung. They live life as usual - doing their laundry, cooking their meals, watching their children, all while running this business. This would be considered our "fast food" or "quick-stop" shopping. Happy Warunging!

Cultural Adaptations

At the gas station, things are more "old school." And they are all about customer service here:




1. There is an attendant who pumps the gas for you (no extra charge). There is a special line for motorcycles (sepeda motor). No need to get off your bike, just sit there and relax for the 1 minute that it takes to fill your tank.

2. If you notice on the sign, there is a prayer room (for the daily prayer times), toilets, and I'm not so sure what the symbol of a man running to a sink means, but I'm sure it's got "customer service" written all over it!

3. Open 24 hours

4. The best thing of all: The price. For the best gasoline it is 6,750 rupiah/liter (the exchange rate is approximately $1 to 9,000 rupiah). Our motorcycle has a 10 liter tank...you do the math! :)

Happy motoring, everyone!