A new chapter

It's been more than a year since I've posted anything. I just read through the Aceh chapter and realized that it ended abruptly; and I got excited to start up again.. I've seen more of Indonesia -- I've been to Kupang and Sumba, Bali and Lombok, Pelabuhan Ratu and Belawan, flew off Puncak and more -- not to mention a hiatus in Bangkok, Hawaii, and most recently a trip to the mainland US to see family and friends that really put life in Indonesia in perspective.

From that rural frontier of Aceh with all its wonder and quirks and all the travels I have become and been living the life of a city boy - where, someone once said "the people are colder and wear a chip on their shoulder." Well, Jakarta is much more harsh than that. It's no wonder it is fondly called the big Durian - just like the fruit: a smelly sticky yet intoxicating place... Jakarta is one star or five star. Lavish malls or kaki limas (mobile food stands) all covered under the polluted haze and heavy traffic.

Welcome to chapter 2.