Punk Smurf pens a bilingual blog

My relatives are doing fine as far as I know.

Read more about it here.

Towleroad blogged the following that has me seething:

Barbaric poachers, perhaps signaling a new trend in illegal wildlife trade, allegedly climbed a fence at the Taman Rimbo Zoo in Jambi, Indonesia over the weekend before taking  their prize:

“Sheila, who had been the only Sumatran tiger remaining at the zoo, was killed and skinned on zoo grounds after being drugged by poachers early on Saturday, leaving virtually nothing behind except the innards and a few ribs of the animal, which is critically endangered in the wild. ‘There is no doubt that the killers were professionals because they did their job very cleanly, taking off the skin in the enclosure rather than dragging the 100-kilogram animal out, which could have attracted attention,’ said Didy Wurdjanto, the head of the Jambi Natural Resources Conservation Center.”

There is discussion that the poaching could have been an inside job. There are  believed to be between 100 and 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild. Now the ones in zoos apparently have to worry as well.

It was only a matter of time:

Indonesia - Muslim clerics are seeking ways to regulate online behavior in Indonesia, saying the exploding popularity of social networking sites like Facebook could encourage illicit sex.Around 700 clerics, or imams, gathering in the world’s most populous Muslim nation on Thursday were considering guidelines forbidding their followers from going online to flirt or engage in practices they believe could encourage extramarital affairs.

Inside Facebook, an independent Palo Alto, Calif.-based blog dedicated to tracking the site, says Indonesia, a nation of 235 million, was the fastest-growing country in Southeast Asia for the site in 2008, with a 645 percent increase to 831,000 users.

It is already the most visited site in Indonesia, and with less than 0.5 percent of Indonesia’s citizens wired, there is a huge potential for growth.

“The clerics think it is necessary to set an edict on virtual networking, because this online relationship could lead to lust, which is forbidden in Islam,” said Nabil Haroen, a spokesman for the Lirboyo Islamic boarding school, which was hosting the event.

Though followers could still be members of the networking site, guidelines dealing with surfing the Web and Islamic values are urgently needed, he said.

“People are typically using Facebook to connect with their friends, family or learn about local and world issues and events,” said Debbie Frost, a Facebook spokeswoman. “We have seen many people and organizations use Facebook to advance a positive agenda.”

Ninety percent of Indonesians are Muslim and most practice a moderate form of the faith.

An edict by the clerics would not have any legal weight. But it could be endorsed by the influential Ulema Council, which recently issued rulings against smoking and yoga. Some devout Muslims adhere to the council’s rulings because ignoring a fatwa, or religious decree, is considered a sin.

Amidan, who heads the Ulema Council, said the growing number of Facebook users in Indonesia was a controversial subject among Muslim leaders and that he favored a ban because of possible sexual content.

“People using Facebook can be driven to engage in distasteful, pornographic chatting,” said Amidan, who was monitoring the two-day conference in the town of Kediri, in eastern Java.

Many clerics are concerned that “inappropriate content” on Facebook could be accessed by children, said Amidan, who like many Indonesians goes by a single name.

Facebook is the top ranked site in Indonesia, ahead of search engines Yahoo and Google, according Alexa.com, which tracks Internet traffic. Nearly 4 percent of all Facebook visitors are from Indonesia, making it the largest source of visitors after the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Italy.

The thing that really bugs me is what those clerics define as “distasteful and pornographic” things. It’s outdated, and a distorted view of how they would like to see women: submissive and covered up from head to toe.

(AFP) – A self-confessed Indonesian serial killer who recorded a pop album and wrote a grisly tell-all book from his prison cell was sentenced to death on Monday for the murder of a romantic rival.

A district court in Depok outside the Indonesian capital found Verry Idham Henyansyah, known popularly as Ryan, guilty of murdering and dismembering Herry Santoso and dumping of his body in bags on a Jakarta roadside last year.

Wearing a white robe and a Muslim skullcap, Henyansyah sang to reporters before entering the courtroom. The song called “Please Understand, Beloved”, was penned for his boyfriend, he said.

“I am ready for any sentence,” he said, tearily hugging his parents.

Santoso was found cut into seven pieces in a murder 31-year-old Henyansyah described as motivated by jealousy, after Santoso offered him a car and money in return for sex with his boyfriend.

The murder is the first of 11 killings confessed to by Henyansyah to go to trial.

Another 10 bodies, including a mother and her young child, were uncovered in his parents’ backyard in East Java after his arrest in July last year.

“(Henyansyah’s) acts were sadistic and inhuman and caused deep sadness to the victims’ families and anxiety in the community. His acts show he does not value life, which is given by God,” chief judge Suwidya said.

Henyansyah, a former Koran recital teacher and would-be model, has shot to notoriety in Indonesia. A steady stream of visitors, many of them teenage girls, have taken photos with him in his court holding cell.

He released an autobiography entitled “The Untold Story of Ryan” in February and plans to release a 12-song pop album, “My Last Performance”, this month.

Henyansyah refused to speak to reporters as he was being led out of the court room but smiled and waved before being taken away in a prison van.

“He is insane so he should not be sentenced to death. I’d never gone near him. I’d been slapped before,” his father Ahmad told Detikcom news website.

Defence lawyer Rusdi Ismael said Henyansyah would appeal against the death sentence.

The last week or so mainly consists of running errands. And it’s mostly mom and aunt Yani who do the running. I get a fresh batch of pills and cream that succesfully combats my eczema. I’ve been using it since my last visit to Indonesia 4 years ago, and my skin has been fairly healthy since then. I can hardly believe it’s been 4 years since I last had fish for dinner (or lunch). Aunt Yani confesses to being allergic to fish and seafood in general, too, but she doesn’t cut them out of her diet. She also tells me that I inherited my chubbiness from grandmother. Thank you - I guess.

Talking about grandmother: I end up visiting the gravesite with aunt Yani, since mom decided it would be too emotional for her. (It had already been quite a shock to see grandfather in the physical state he’s in… ) It’s during this visit that I actually notice how young grandmother was when she passed away due to cancer: 36 - leaving 7 children (my mom was 12). To this day I sometimes sense how deeply missed she is by all. I don’t know how they really feel about their stepmother…

Uncle Kris’s wife gave me some kind of massage, when she heard what had happened to my shoulder. She immediately located three blockages, located in the shoulder area and my upper arm. (The one in the latter was the size of a golf ball!) With 3 massages in 5 days with obvious progress, even the sceptic in me couldn’t deny that whatever she was doing it was working. The pain has been bearable since, and significantly less, and it shows in my movements. It still isn’t back to normal, but I feel like I’m almost there.

October went by fast. It was good to see everybody again - even though at times I craved some “me” time. When they asked if mom and I come back next year (preferably with my brother Arnold) I replied I have other plans. Some of them would like to come and visit the Netherlands, but they simply don’t have the financial means to do so. Anyhoo, like last time, saying goodbye is emotional for both mom and aunt Yani. And even though I’m saddened to go on the one hand, on the other I’m glad: I’m tired of dodging questions about boyfriends and marriage and such. And I’m sure my mom shares the sentiment.

Several hours later we’re on our way to Singapore; mom and I are prepared for another long haul. I use the short layover to get Tiger Balm patches And going from terminal 2 to terminal 3 at Changi airport mom and I are treated to a little bit of Singapore by night. It looks good. (Singapore has been on my list for a while now, and I’ll definitely be back!) Some time after midnight we are on our way to Amsterdam. Now, I’ve never been much of a sleeper in planes (I so nod off now and again, but I can’t sleep for hours on end like some people) so I watch movies instead. From what I remember these are what I’ve watched (Amsterdam - Singerpore, and vice versa): Kung Fu Panda (very funny), Fuera de Carta (aka “Chef’s Special”, a hilarious Spanish movie), Unfinished Sky (with Dutch actress Monic Hendrickx), Il y a longtemps qui je t’aime (with a French speaking Kristin Scott Thomas - a beautiful movie), Wall-E (again - the little cleaning robot is just the cutest), Ratatouille, and loads of Globe Trekker TV

When we arrive in Amsterdam it’s 6C outside; that’s a 30-degrees-difference. Talking about a warm welcome, eh.

After a short trip to Central Java mom and I went back to spending time with more (other) family members. Dang, they do seem to multiply steadily over here… Just like I anticipated, spending two or three days and nights with each member (aunts, uncles, cousins) would certainly take time. But I’m not complaining. People have been very generous (I think I gained 5 pounds just eating all my favorite foods) and different people have been taking time off work just to show me (and my mom if she felt like it) around. My cousin Deny had a great time taking me to places. He and his older brother Indra (who now works at a lab at a university nearby as a dirt analyser) took mom and me to Mt. Bromo the last time we were visiting. Yes; that is an active vulcano. Deny is a country boy, who has an adventurous streak, but that fact makes him feel awkward and out of place when wanting to try new things. He’s never had pizza (although he was curious enough) so I took him out for pizza. Well, take out actually. Same goes for KFC. (Looks like I had my share of junk food for this year ) I took him to Ba-Be, a cafe/restaurant where my cousin Yuli works, since he’s never been to a cafe. It’s nice to see him enjoy all those new experiences.

Anyhoo, I mentioned the multiplying part earlier. Some are surprised I still don’t have that one “special boy friend”, others understand that modern big city women *ahem* sometimes don’t feel the need to settle down. In the past four years there have been several additions to the family. And the majority don’t waste time taking to me. I am just as surprised as my mom, because I don’t give them special attention and I certainly don’t talk the oogely-boogely talk. But they all stick to me like bees to honey, and are seriously upset once the moment has come to say goodbye. I’m doing something wrong here - I can tell you ignoring them does NOT work.

The funny thing is that my favorite aunt and uncle (my mom’s older sister and younger brother) seem unfazed by my ink. Bear in mind that in Indonesia traditions are very important. Like, short hair on girls/women is rare. (Although, I noticed emo haircuts on boys - the happening trend right now.) Tattoos are rare, and certainly not meant for girls. There are no female soccer players (professionally) and Indonesian “rock chicks” are still a novelty. Anyhoo, my uncle showed me his ink and told me how he did that himself. My aunt revealed that the eyeliner and her eye brows are tattooed. The story on how she got it done is hilarious, but that’s perhaps something for another time. My little cousins were all curious by my ink, and frequently lifted my shirt sleeves to have a look at them

Unfortunately for me, I miss the queer film festival in Surabaya as I’m in Central Java. And two days before mom and I intent to leave for Bali for a few days, the opening of the first Asian Beach Games (held on Bali) is being aired in national TV. Not wanting to risk ending up on Bali without a (decent) hotelroom, mom and I decide not to go. We can always go another time.

Plans to buy a used car are put off; I told mom there simply wasn’t enough time to look for a decent vehicle. And how are we supposed to come up with several million Rupiahs? Talking about millions: every day I leave the house with - literally - a bulging wallet. 100 Euros (or $100 for that matter) equals about 1.6 million Indonesian Rupiahs… I have to admit that it feels weird being an overnight millionaire.

Time and cost efficiency are things that Indonesians are NOT familiar with. At least not the majority, who has never been outside the country to study or work. Don’t get me wrong: people are very friendly and accommodating, but things take time here. A lot of time. I am also very aware that a lot of things are being said out of politeness - not because it can actually be done. In fact, a lot of things are unsaid. Mom and I occassionally have arguments, but we talk about things, and I don’t respect my mother any less. Over here everything is defined by hierarchy. Indonesians have different ways of addressing others who are older and younger than oneself… It’s hard to explain, but let’s just say that it’s more than simply addressing an aunt by calling her “aunt” or calling an uncle “uncle”. Indonesians who are not familiar with other cultures think I’m rude and offensive. Whatever. My horrible accent gives me away.

My favorite aunt, Yani, calls in a favor from a friend, who drives mom and I to Cangar (hot springs). The water is said to be beneficial to people with skin problems. Needless to say I went in Talking about skin: while winters mess with mine, the heat is obviously working its wonders. The little eczema I arrived with is completely gone after a week or so in this country.

Mom and I arranged a ride to Surabaya to visit an old friend of the family. He gladly showed us the city in half a day. I forgot to ask where the French Cultural Center is, so I know later this month where to go to catch a couple of queer flicks. Oh well…

Another old friend of the family offers us a ride to Jogjakarta, so we can visit the Prambanan and Borobudur. On the day mom and I walk up to the gigantic monument mercury has risen to almost 100F. Mom and I agree she waits for me on a little stone bench under the shade of a tree, while I climb the Borobudur. She later told me I love walking from the moment I was able to do so (I skipped crawling altogether) and that I’ve walked this structure at age 6 (the first time I visited Indonesia). Looks like some things never change

I take in the beauty, and by the time I return to the spot I left my mom all my clothes stick to my body. I feel yucky, and would kill for a cool shower. There’s an older (Caucasian) lady on the other end of the stone bench, and I ask her in English why she isn’t up there. She replies she speaks little English, and hearing a French accent I repeat my question en Français. She’s pleasantly surprised I can actually speak the language (albeit a little rusty at best). When it turned out she’s not from Canada nor France but Belgium - to which I replied: “Je suis Hollandais” - we finally switched to Dutch. Heh heh… Anyhoo, the Walloon woman was suffering from the heat as well. She was visiting Indonesia with a group and showed me their itinerary: I got tired just looking at it - it was packed from early early morning till way after dinner. For almost three weeks. I can hardly call that a vacation. That’s a work out!

Hey folks!

I’ve found a regular internet cafe nearby; it’s not free, but the bandwidth is pretty normal compared to the free hotspot - no way I can view pics or video clips… And there was an outage last night. (Yes, I sat there in the dark with several other laptop users. And the only light was provided by some of the laptop screens running on battieries - like mine.)

The journey was long; mom and I traveled for 27 hours, from the moment we left my friend’s house to the moment we arrived at my grandfather’s house. My mom and my grandfather cried when they saw eachother again, and my heart broke: it’s become more obvious that my grandfather is getting old (at 84 he’s considered very old - many people in this country die in their 60s, or younger…). He appologized to me he’s been sick on and off and is now sleeping away most of his days. I tried to comfort him and tell him that there is no need in appologizing for that, and that I was glad to see him again. He really is a shadow of his former (virile) self, and I’m afraid that the next time I travel to Indonesia it will be to attend his funeral. My mom would probably repremand me for saying this, but in her heart she knows this may be very very real.

The past several days a lot of family memebers came over to visit us, asking us when we are coming them: I let mom handle that part of the visit We are now in the process of buying a used car (cheaper than renting one) which will allow mom and I to travel to Yogyakarta and Bali. And even though everybody is really nice, I cannot help but notice that even though I look the same on the outside, I am very different on the inside. While I understand the cultural differences and accept them, they have trouble grasping the fact that I am not an Asian. (Truth is I am not really a “Westerner” either, but I have less trouble fitting in.) Also, I had forgotten how important religion is to the people here: people ask which one you practice. To me that is a bit of a weird concept, because I don’t care about that. I care about people respecting eachother regardless. I even saw what appears to be a “Muslim hood”. At first I thought it was strange (since the majority of the people here are Muslim), but then I thought maybe it’s not so different from the “coloured hoods” in the US.

In Indonesia time is a different concept altogether, or so it seems. I’m glad that I decided to not let that get in the way: people take their time, and don’t seem to be in a hurry. I’m on vacation and I don’t mind the time - until October 31st (mom and I will go back to the Netherlands then).

Well, that’s it for now. More updates - with pictures - later!