Living In Indonesia: Some Stuff I Noticed
By: Your Friend Samson

So before I knew it, I was cramped on a plane between two typical disgruntled americans wondering if the cocktail of tylonal p.m., motion sickness, and white wine wasn't the healthiest decision for my broken immune system. Having the chance of moving to a “developing” country that cradles the not-so-friendly bedfellows of avian bird flu, ramped malaria outbreaks, and diseases long since extinct in my side of the world, I figured, “Damned if I do, damned if I don't,” ...or rather, “fuck it, I'm moving to Indonesia”. So I live in the second largest city, Surabaya, with a population (including he suburbs) about two million more than that of New York. Although, it is surprisingly a lot like Phoenix: way fucking hot (plus humidity), it is extremely large and spread out, too much pollution/traffic, and an small underground scene that should be as big as it's heart. The most striking difference that I found between the two countries, is that people in Indonesia are really happy. They laugh all the time, something I really missed out on living in the US. There cheery disposition is rarely hindered. They seem to have collectively accepted that authority (politicians, police, and the like) are inherently corrupt. Even to the point where the bribe amount is known for each “crime”. Perhaps the hundreds of years of imperial control has enlightened them to not trust those who hold power over their livelihoods.
Coming from a country of global economic dominance, I was afraid my transported self might be an outstanding signal for scowls and possibly harm ( it was in fact, the US backing of both the Imperial Netherlands and later the military dictator Suharto that kept the Indonesian people poor, hungry, suppressed, and exploited). But quite the opposite is true. Here, I am viewed as a celebrity. People ask to take photos, girls scream, womyn blush, marriage proposals, compliments, and excitement is a daily part of my life. The only negative stereotype for people with white skin is that they are extremely rich (sometimes friendships prove to be false). The white privilege here is so fucking intense. So much so, its incredibly sad. The main cosmetic product is skin whitener. It contains all sorts of harmful products and made by many major multinational corporations. The commercials are even more appalling. Often there are large presentations at high schools where a young girl can get a free sample and told how beautiful she could be. I have tried to explain that in the west having darker skin (tan) is what is considered beautiful by the mainstream and they should be proud of being so lucky to be born with beautiful skin. But even words from a white dude can't defeat the clutches of advertising. The favorite pastime of the majority of those I have spoken to is hanging out at the mall (I work at a high school, but even they college kids and teachers agree). There are at least nine separate malls in the city, most of which consist of other malls attached to each other. The largest is three malls connected and each is nine stories tall. Aside from jalan-jalan (just hanging out), watching a bootleg movie is a favorite time killer. They run for about eighty cents. MTV is proudly displayed on the store televisions and billboards of pale Europeans line the streets. Sadly, I wasn't surprised.
I would propose that it is the strong exposure to western media (especially so cheap) that has kept Indonesia's opinions of the US favorable . Ironically, the State Department advises against traveling to Indonesia because it is, “dangerous”. Fuck them. Seriously, Fuck their paranoid, autocratic, neo-fascist, Assholes. They are full of Shit. Uh... a little off track. So, there is very little crime here and safer than any city I have been to in the US. (Although, the President/General just gave the order to “shoot on sight... if necessary” any separatists in certain parts of Indo). It does has its problems, but as my Indonesian friend once told me, “America isn't a free country, Indonesia is!” It is a wonder that relatively few people know about this tropical paradise, it's 14,000 islands- the fourth largest country in the world- Indonesia. But don't take my word for it! Do-do, Doot!

part 3 guatemala