Hello from Neva

Tom and I at an orchid place on my first day in Indonesia.
Sunset in Makassar from the hotel restaurant.

Hello everyone -
I have been thinking of all of you and wanted to let you know that things are going well. I've arrived safely in Makassar, Indonesia in the late afternoon, and Tom was at the airport to pick me up. The trip was long, but went well and I was able to see 5 movies inflight, movie fans. We went to the hotel and I was able to rest, and the next morning we went to Gaya Celebes, the organization he helped found, that helps those dealing with HIV/Aids.

The staff there was very kind to me, and had many questions about my life in the U. S. It was an impromptu English lesson and at times we got stuck, but it was enjoyable to meet everyone and try to learn their names. There were about 10 people there in the morning. Tom and I then went to a shopping area in town and picked up some things and ate, and later that evening we were back at Gaya Celebes where I set in on an HIV information session with staff and some local people. Tom showed a short film and talked about HIV transmission and treatment. I had to work hard to stay awake at that point - I was fading fast, but got back to the hotel and slept well last night.

My impression of the city is that the people are very kind and polite, but it is very crowded and I could never drive here. Tom won't even try it. We are preparing a short film to show you the street experience. The streets are crowded with cars, taxis, motor bikes, carts and pedestrians. Small shops are packed in to the edge of the street with no sidewalks and a rare stoplight. Zoning - who needs it. We would have 6 inches clearance between us and a motorbike with mom, dad and two little kids (forget the backseat carseat thing) while up ahead a pedestrian was crossing and someone was coming head on as they tried to pass someone!! Pictures and movie later.

One interesting thing is that there are very few Westerners here. So that when Tom and I are shopping, everyone literally stops and stares at us. Tom says the only Westerners they see are on TV usually, so they think we are movie or TV stars. We were in a little supermarket and one little boy was sneaking close to me - I could see him out of the corner of my eye - he reached for something on a shelf near me and was staring at me, and I looked at him and smiled and he ran away embarrassed. Usually when we go into a store, the manager comes over and they are giving us the royal treatment. The standard of living is much lower, and so they are doing everything they can to get our business. We take a cab from place to place and the starting price is 47 cents and the most we usually pay is $2.

We take cabs everywhere because of the humidity - it isnt the heat so much as the extreme humidity. And also because it is hard to navigate the streets. We take a few showers each day and go out in the morning and evening mostly.

This is a great experience and I will post more later. Next week, the group is renting a bus and we are going about 2 hours north of here to the mountains and a place called Toraja. About 20 will go and they will stay with the parents of one of the group. They are rice farmers. The native art and carvings there are remarkable, I am told, plus it will be cooler. Tom and I will stay in the hotel (wimps) and we will all spend a few days there seeing the sights.

My love to you all, and thank you for caring about me. Neva