Back to Toba, back from Toba
J. and I found transportation to and from Toba in the form of a taxi. It was actually cheaper than the last trip which was considerably shorter. The weather was cool by Indonesian standards and gray and J. did a lot of sleeping--which inspired a song. We mainly lounged around, eating three square meals a day off the Niagara (pronounced NEE-a-Gar-a) hotel menu. We more or less tried everything once, and some things twice. On the night of my birthday the two of us went to the hotel's own private disco and sang karoake--we were the only two in the disco making it considerably less emabarrassing.
We also went and paddled around the lake in a swan shaped paddle boat. Leaving that venue a man came to me and practically begged me to buy something from his little store. Of course, he wanted to know where I am from. He then asked if I am a Christian, and I said yes, and he said, "good, Muslem bad." He then asked J. if she were a Christian and she said "no, Muslim." He looked a little embarrassed to say the least. Nevertheless we gave in and bought to touristy t-shirts.
People have different responses when I say that I am American, most seem excited. I was sitting in the hot tub at the hotel pool and a busload of teenagers arrived. Their teacher came up to me and asked to take my picture. He then pointed to his students and said, "they want to meet you." So I went over and shook hands and told them my name. Because no one has ever heard of Minneapolis I just told them that I was from Chicago. Judging from their reactions, I am not sure that they are aware of that city either. They all wanted to pose for pictures with me and I just sort of tolerated it and eventually begged to excuse myself.
A man who worked in the hotel stopped J. and asked if she were Acehnese which she took to be a sign that her Bahasa Indonesia was at such a level so as to be confused with a native Indonesian. People are very curious about her origens as well. He also asked if I were Spanish which we think must have to do with the fact that he came to clean the room when we were listening to French music. He asked if I were French, but I understood only the word "French" and thought he was referring to the music, so I said "yes." Over the span of 24hours he must have conflated the two nationalities. That's the best I can offer by way of explanation. I can see no other reason why someone would assume me to be of Spanish descent. I first knew something was up when he addressed me in the corridor saying, "Buenos Dias!" He asked J. about this while she was in the hallway on her way to meet me somewhere. When she told him I was American, he said "Really?!"
I am in school now trying to come up with my plans for the new term. So far I've done nothing but blog. Time to work.
We also went and paddled around the lake in a swan shaped paddle boat. Leaving that venue a man came to me and practically begged me to buy something from his little store. Of course, he wanted to know where I am from. He then asked if I am a Christian, and I said yes, and he said, "good, Muslem bad." He then asked J. if she were a Christian and she said "no, Muslim." He looked a little embarrassed to say the least. Nevertheless we gave in and bought to touristy t-shirts.
People have different responses when I say that I am American, most seem excited. I was sitting in the hot tub at the hotel pool and a busload of teenagers arrived. Their teacher came up to me and asked to take my picture. He then pointed to his students and said, "they want to meet you." So I went over and shook hands and told them my name. Because no one has ever heard of Minneapolis I just told them that I was from Chicago. Judging from their reactions, I am not sure that they are aware of that city either. They all wanted to pose for pictures with me and I just sort of tolerated it and eventually begged to excuse myself.
A man who worked in the hotel stopped J. and asked if she were Acehnese which she took to be a sign that her Bahasa Indonesia was at such a level so as to be confused with a native Indonesian. People are very curious about her origens as well. He also asked if I were Spanish which we think must have to do with the fact that he came to clean the room when we were listening to French music. He asked if I were French, but I understood only the word "French" and thought he was referring to the music, so I said "yes." Over the span of 24hours he must have conflated the two nationalities. That's the best I can offer by way of explanation. I can see no other reason why someone would assume me to be of Spanish descent. I first knew something was up when he addressed me in the corridor saying, "Buenos Dias!" He asked J. about this while she was in the hallway on her way to meet me somewhere. When she told him I was American, he said "Really?!"
I am in school now trying to come up with my plans for the new term. So far I've done nothing but blog. Time to work.
posted by athensinternational at 8:02 PM
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