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Report: #11
Date: Dec98/Jan99
From: richard@alloweb.u-net.com
Subject: Sensational New Year!!!!!
Location: Jakarta
I just beat the clock and the calendar to e this message to you; i WISH YOU A PARTICULARLY SENSATIONAL AND SPECIAL NEW YEAR AND A MOST SATISFYING AND REWARDING 1999 WITH PLENTY OF EXCLAMATION MARKS ON ALL THE GOOD ADJECTIVES!!!!!!!!!!
I'm now in steamy boiling steamy Jakarta, just a few degrees south of the equator now. After 2months, including a last gruelling 11 days straight, of riding roads so steep that they require low-ratio drive on off-road vehicles, to cover the south of Sumatra, I've still only covered a miniscule amount of endless Indonesia. And I'm trying to refuel my weary body with a feeding frenzy. Only thing is, because it's Ramadan, the Islamic fasting month, I've got to do it somewhat discretely. And a lot of the usual tasty delicacies sold from street carts during the day, are missing. But if I buy yoghurt, fried bananas, honey, rice and noodles the evening before, for breakfast, and if I get up late enough (having managed to sleep through the drums and noise of the 3am(!!) call to eat) I can just about get along. The thought of Spring keeps me going too. Actually, it's still permanent Summer here, though the last two days have been gratefully cooled by rain. The serious, no-nonsense, straight-down type. Yet another excuse for laying up and preserving my tyre rubber. For those few of you who are maybe a little concerned as to whether I've been caught up in any of the revolutionist conflict or conflagration in these parts; I can reassure you (unless you were hoping that I'd got right into it) that very little rough has happened in my vicinity, so I'm safe so far. And it looks clear for the future, too. Also all parties seem to be steadying themselves for Ramadan.
Peace and Adventure to You.
Richard |
