Exploring the city

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  Surabaya, Java, Indonesia
Sunday, September 11, 2011

Sorry, No pics yet. I didn't want to be an ultra-tourist taking pictures of everything and dragging my camera around everywhere just yet.  Well, I’ll just give you a quick account of what I did the first couple days and what the city’s like. 

So when I first arrived, I was not nearly as tired as I should have been,  but I still slept very well, and had to be up at 7:30 to be a judge for an English debate done by some students.  I was one of three judges, but I don’t think I was very good at it…because sometimes, when I added up the points I gave each team, it turned out that the one which gave me an overall better impression lost…  Fortunately, the other judges were better, and the teams that deserved to win were chosen.  The university is pretty nice, but very small.  I’ll be giving a talk on Monday about why volunteering is important…if anyone has any ideas for that, let me know, please.

Anyways, the judges all got about $55 for our services, so I went out with Eddie (who picked me up from the airport.  He's sort of "in charge" of me while I get acquainted with the city) after that and used the money for a phone and some minutes, so now I already have some contacts and have been texting a little.  It's kinda weird.  Then, because of jet lag, I got tired and took a 3 hour nap (it was 5 AM your time).  Later that night, I was introduced to the bishop in his very nice house, and then after, went to where a group of students live, who are all affiliated with the church in some way I think.  They also have a very nice house.  Just like in Honduras, the church is very well provided for.  So that night there was a little party for one of the student’s birthday, so I met a lot of people and got asked a lot of questions.  Fun.

Today, I went around the city with some kids I met last night.  We found a hotel right up the road that has a (very) small gym, so I bought a 3 month membership for it (the university surprisingly didn’t have one).  But it was cheap, so that’s fine.  Then we went to a huge mall.  I’m talking, seven stories tall, and absolutely giant.  I couldn’t believe it.  And it’s such a stark contrast to some areas.  Downtown Surabaya is very nice and extravagant, and there are some neighborhoods in the suburbs that are just lined with mansions and very nice houses, but then there are other neighborhoods where it looks poor and decrepit and in ruin.  Such an interesting city.  If you’re rich, it’s a nice place I guess. 

Apparently Surabaya isn’t a big tourist spot.  Bali and some other beaches are the tourist spots, I guess, so I’m literally the only white person here, or at least one of very very few.  I’ll let you know when I see another.

So that’s pretty much that.  They’re talking about all these trips, like white water rafting later this week, then hiking next week, then a beach sometime.  So I’ll be getting plenty of travel in :)  Alright, I think it’s time for another nap.  Until next time! 


Also I'll try to have pictures next time!  I know that's like the only reason you keep checking this.  I'm working on it!

-David

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