What is the most popular television show?
ANSWER: This question was a tough one since I don't watch local television, mainly because I can't understand it. I usually only watch the English speaking channels, so I had to do some research. I have a friend back in Malaysia who is Indonesian and she gave me the names of her favorite programs and that's where I started. It seems reality television is really big over here and the programs are modeled after American reality shows. I can watch American Idol here, but can't vote (I'm rooting for Crystal Bowersox and Lee, doesn't matter since they both will have records next year) and it seems to be popular with the locals as well. There is Indonesian Idol and I've watched it once, the performers were good and the judges were like Indonesian versions of Randy, Ellen, Kara and Simon.
There are 79 Indonesian reality shows, most copycats of American programming. Reality shows have dominated the ratings surpassing soap operas which used to top the charts. The most high ranking one is called Termehek-Mehek which roughly translates to Sobbing. This show reunites people from long lost relatives to wives abandoned by husbands-often in highly emotional and often confrontational environments. Another show, called Jika Aku Menjadi or If I Were, takes middle-class or wealthy people and puts them in a rural area of Indonesia; kind of like The Simple Life with Paris Hilton but without celebrities. And there's Tukar Nasib or Fate Swap where rich families switch places with poor families, sort of like Wife Swap.
The reality shows represent another chapter in the evolution of Indonesian television. During former president Suharto's dictatorship, television stations were only allowed to show the military governments point of view, except for news, there was little original content. The American shows gave way to additional local programming as well as less politically sensitive shows. Funny thing is that most people don't realize that their favorite tv shows are very much American.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Question from Natalie
Can only expats show at the grocery stores?
ANSWER: No, anyone can shop at the grocery store, it's just a matter of IF they can afford it. The prices in the grocery store are much more expensive than if people shopped at the wet markets. Plus processed foods arent' very popular with Indonesians since most of them cook everything fresh themselves. Remember I said that most people's monthly income is around $200 U.S. and if I can spend $100 for one weeks worth of food for only 2 people at a a grocery store, imagine how much a local, who makes much less than we do, can buy at a grocery store.
ANSWER: No, anyone can shop at the grocery store, it's just a matter of IF they can afford it. The prices in the grocery store are much more expensive than if people shopped at the wet markets. Plus processed foods arent' very popular with Indonesians since most of them cook everything fresh themselves. Remember I said that most people's monthly income is around $200 U.S. and if I can spend $100 for one weeks worth of food for only 2 people at a a grocery store, imagine how much a local, who makes much less than we do, can buy at a grocery store.
Question from Marley
Do a lot of tourist come to Indonesia?
ANSWER: Tourism in Indonesia is an important component of the Indonesian economy as well as a significant source of its foreign exchange revenues. It is reported that over 7 million people visited Indonesia in 2009. The draw for tourists of course is the numerous white sand beaches, tropical weather and resorts. Indonesia has some of the best diving spots in the world with over 17,000 islands as well as world class surfing spots. This combined with the national parks, volcanoes and rainforests offer tourists a complete eco-friendly, well preserved nature experience.
Most people who visit, go to Bali and Jakarta or the Thousand Islands. With over 300 ethnic groups tourists also get to experience a cultural lesson as well. Golfing is also big in Indonesia so there are many golf courses and even my husband's first visit to Indonesia was so he could play. My first visit here was to Medan and to visit Lake Toba in northern Sumatra. Lake Toba is the largest volcanic lake in the world and is known as the home of the largest volcanic eruption on Earth in the last 25 million years. It's a very beautiful place (see photo) and the journey to get the lake was very interesting, driving through different small towns, seeing volcanoes (see photo) and even battling traffic. I would compare it to Lake Tahoe but on a grander scale. If you're ever in Indonesia, it's not to be missed.
ANSWER: Tourism in Indonesia is an important component of the Indonesian economy as well as a significant source of its foreign exchange revenues. It is reported that over 7 million people visited Indonesia in 2009. The draw for tourists of course is the numerous white sand beaches, tropical weather and resorts. Indonesia has some of the best diving spots in the world with over 17,000 islands as well as world class surfing spots. This combined with the national parks, volcanoes and rainforests offer tourists a complete eco-friendly, well preserved nature experience.
Most people who visit, go to Bali and Jakarta or the Thousand Islands. With over 300 ethnic groups tourists also get to experience a cultural lesson as well. Golfing is also big in Indonesia so there are many golf courses and even my husband's first visit to Indonesia was so he could play. My first visit here was to Medan and to visit Lake Toba in northern Sumatra. Lake Toba is the largest volcanic lake in the world and is known as the home of the largest volcanic eruption on Earth in the last 25 million years. It's a very beautiful place (see photo) and the journey to get the lake was very interesting, driving through different small towns, seeing volcanoes (see photo) and even battling traffic. I would compare it to Lake Tahoe but on a grander scale. If you're ever in Indonesia, it's not to be missed.
Question from Joseph
Was the transition between the two countries difficult?
ANSWER: Well, I still consider myself in transition, but the move to Malaysia was much easier than Indonesia has been. Majority of the people here do not speak English so I have been learning their language...slowly. Eventually, once we move into our permanent house I will be taking full time classes and I'm sure that will help me out tremendously.
Also, in Malaysia, it was very easy to just go to a certain neighborhood and walk around and explore. That is proving more difficult here in Jakarta. Since most areas I see look like slums, it's hard to determine where it's safe for me to walk around and I've been advised not to walk around by myself at night anywhere.
Kuala Lumpur is a very clean metropolis city and feels very safe. Here, I'm not sure how safe I am even though everything I read says that I'm safer here than I would be at home. Jakarta is not very clean, you can't drink the tap water so even if I see a street peddlar who I want to buy a snack from, I can't communicate with him plus I'm not sure if I'll become sick after eating it. Normally I'm adventurous and just wouldn't care, but maybe perhaps I'm getting older and taking more precautions. Plus the threat of terrorist attacks is much greater here than Malaysia, everwhere you go there are security checks, even to get into the mall parking lot. The security guards use a mirror to check under the car and the driver has to open the trunk for inspection so that even adds to my caution. There are pickpockets in both countries so of course from living in Malaysia and being pickpocketed once, I'm always extremely careful with my purse.
I think once I have a better understanding of the language and I'm able to communicate more, the transition will be easier. Not to mention, when we move, I'll have a full time driver so he can spend his days driving me to places I probably wouldn't go to in a taxi, just because I'll know that someone is waiting for me to return.
ANSWER: Well, I still consider myself in transition, but the move to Malaysia was much easier than Indonesia has been. Majority of the people here do not speak English so I have been learning their language...slowly. Eventually, once we move into our permanent house I will be taking full time classes and I'm sure that will help me out tremendously.
Also, in Malaysia, it was very easy to just go to a certain neighborhood and walk around and explore. That is proving more difficult here in Jakarta. Since most areas I see look like slums, it's hard to determine where it's safe for me to walk around and I've been advised not to walk around by myself at night anywhere.
Kuala Lumpur is a very clean metropolis city and feels very safe. Here, I'm not sure how safe I am even though everything I read says that I'm safer here than I would be at home. Jakarta is not very clean, you can't drink the tap water so even if I see a street peddlar who I want to buy a snack from, I can't communicate with him plus I'm not sure if I'll become sick after eating it. Normally I'm adventurous and just wouldn't care, but maybe perhaps I'm getting older and taking more precautions. Plus the threat of terrorist attacks is much greater here than Malaysia, everwhere you go there are security checks, even to get into the mall parking lot. The security guards use a mirror to check under the car and the driver has to open the trunk for inspection so that even adds to my caution. There are pickpockets in both countries so of course from living in Malaysia and being pickpocketed once, I'm always extremely careful with my purse.
I think once I have a better understanding of the language and I'm able to communicate more, the transition will be easier. Not to mention, when we move, I'll have a full time driver so he can spend his days driving me to places I probably wouldn't go to in a taxi, just because I'll know that someone is waiting for me to return.
Question from Joseph
Have you come across a Muslim praying outside? If so, what is the proper way to be respectful of their prayer?
ANSWER: This is probably unlikely considering that I've lived in large cities. Most mosques lie behind walls and gates and in public areas, prayer rooms are provided, no matter where you go; in all the airports, shopping malls, schools etc. The gates surrounding the mosques provide two barriers, offering privacy to those practicing inside and also for the outsiders who wish to enter, the gates indicate that beyond that point everyone must be properly dressed. Even in private homes, some people have a designated area for prayers or at least something that points the way to Mecca and the Ka'bah. Even when you stay in hotels in Asia, if you look at the ceiling or in one of the drawers, most likely you'll find an arrow pointing the way (see photo). I even have a small pagoda outside my temporary house that can be used for prayer (see photo). I would believe that it would only be in rural areas where you would come across someone praying in an undesignated area and then I would just quietly pass by and let them continue, do not disturb them. I have an Aunt who is Muslim, she converted before marrying my Uncle, such is the way when you have 2 people of different religions who wish to marry, one must convert. When I would visit her, during their prayer times, her family would go down to the basement and pray. She would just say where she was going and we all understood. You are always welcomed to enter a mosque as long as you are dressed appropiately and in most of the larger mosques, you may ask questions so you can better understand.
ANSWER: This is probably unlikely considering that I've lived in large cities. Most mosques lie behind walls and gates and in public areas, prayer rooms are provided, no matter where you go; in all the airports, shopping malls, schools etc. The gates surrounding the mosques provide two barriers, offering privacy to those practicing inside and also for the outsiders who wish to enter, the gates indicate that beyond that point everyone must be properly dressed. Even in private homes, some people have a designated area for prayers or at least something that points the way to Mecca and the Ka'bah. Even when you stay in hotels in Asia, if you look at the ceiling or in one of the drawers, most likely you'll find an arrow pointing the way (see photo). I even have a small pagoda outside my temporary house that can be used for prayer (see photo). I would believe that it would only be in rural areas where you would come across someone praying in an undesignated area and then I would just quietly pass by and let them continue, do not disturb them. I have an Aunt who is Muslim, she converted before marrying my Uncle, such is the way when you have 2 people of different religions who wish to marry, one must convert. When I would visit her, during their prayer times, her family would go down to the basement and pray. She would just say where she was going and we all understood. You are always welcomed to enter a mosque as long as you are dressed appropiately and in most of the larger mosques, you may ask questions so you can better understand.
Question from Desmond
Are the shoes the same there as they are in the US due to the different weather?
ANSWER: Believe it or not, Nope. Even though the weather is hot and most people wear sandals and flip flops, they even sell boots and tennis shoes. Asian majority may not make as much as Americans but they do love brand names. I just bought some Chuck Taylors and my husband some Reeboks. But you do a lot more people wearing open toed shoes than compared to the U.S. Of course for professionals, they wear dress shoes and heels just like at home. So I'm sorry to disappoint you but I don't see any differences other than the frequency that they wear sandals, after all, they don't have cold weather to worry about.
ANSWER: Believe it or not, Nope. Even though the weather is hot and most people wear sandals and flip flops, they even sell boots and tennis shoes. Asian majority may not make as much as Americans but they do love brand names. I just bought some Chuck Taylors and my husband some Reeboks. But you do a lot more people wearing open toed shoes than compared to the U.S. Of course for professionals, they wear dress shoes and heels just like at home. So I'm sorry to disappoint you but I don't see any differences other than the frequency that they wear sandals, after all, they don't have cold weather to worry about.
Question from Joey
What is your favorite new food that you have discovered?
ANSWER: Ok, so when I lived at home I loved Ramen noodles, you know the cheap ones you can buy like 10 packages for a dollar? Well, living in Asia they have taken noodles to completely new level!! One of my favorites is called curry laksa (see photo) and it's a noodle soup made with coconut milk, chili, lemongrass, cilantro and whatever else you can throw into it. It's a little spicy but I've gotten used to it...it is soooooo good!
Another food that I've grown to love is deep fried pork belly (don't be shocked, pork belly is just unsliced bacon so you know it has to be good!). At first I didn't know that it was bacon so I was a little scared but after tasting it I was hooked. The top of it is crunchy like a pork rind and then the meat is very juicy like a stack of bacon. I have learned how to make this one and have even BBQ'd one with great results! (see photo)
Even though I'm diabetic, I occassionally get a sweet tooth and the one dessert I found that hits the spot is pandan layer cake (see photo). Pandan is actually a plant, we would call it screwpine leaves and the cake is made from the essence or juice of this plant along with some coconut milk and flour and lots of eggs. It's not that sweet, it's just right, so it cures my sweet tooth. The green layers are the made from the pandan leaves and is like sponge cake, the whiter layers are actually called kaya layers or coconut jam. This is one dessert I always bring home with me for everyone to try!
One of my favorite Chinese dishes but can't find yet in Indonesia is a yam basket. They mash up yams and form a bowl out of it and then deep fry it, then they fill it with various meats and vegetables. It's both sweet and savoury and very healthy even though it's deep fried. (see photo)
ANSWER: Ok, so when I lived at home I loved Ramen noodles, you know the cheap ones you can buy like 10 packages for a dollar? Well, living in Asia they have taken noodles to completely new level!! One of my favorites is called curry laksa (see photo) and it's a noodle soup made with coconut milk, chili, lemongrass, cilantro and whatever else you can throw into it. It's a little spicy but I've gotten used to it...it is soooooo good!
Another food that I've grown to love is deep fried pork belly (don't be shocked, pork belly is just unsliced bacon so you know it has to be good!). At first I didn't know that it was bacon so I was a little scared but after tasting it I was hooked. The top of it is crunchy like a pork rind and then the meat is very juicy like a stack of bacon. I have learned how to make this one and have even BBQ'd one with great results! (see photo)
Even though I'm diabetic, I occassionally get a sweet tooth and the one dessert I found that hits the spot is pandan layer cake (see photo). Pandan is actually a plant, we would call it screwpine leaves and the cake is made from the essence or juice of this plant along with some coconut milk and flour and lots of eggs. It's not that sweet, it's just right, so it cures my sweet tooth. The green layers are the made from the pandan leaves and is like sponge cake, the whiter layers are actually called kaya layers or coconut jam. This is one dessert I always bring home with me for everyone to try!
One of my favorite Chinese dishes but can't find yet in Indonesia is a yam basket. They mash up yams and form a bowl out of it and then deep fry it, then they fill it with various meats and vegetables. It's both sweet and savoury and very healthy even though it's deep fried. (see photo)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
