This is International Development

Thanks for sending it, JQ!

Playing Tourguide

A group of US Congressional staffers came to visit our project yesterday. We took them out to 2 of our villages - Lamteungoh (again!) and Gurah. Lameteungoh is on the coast and Gurah is located about a mile inland. The top of the mosque from Lamteoungoh was ripped off by the tsunami and carried inland and eventually landed in Gurah. Another reminder of the power of the tsunami.

We first went to Lamteungoh and had lunch at the Geucik's house. The Geucik grilled up 2 whole fish and made a really good fish curry. Some of the staffers were more than willing to dig in, while others were put off by the fish head and swarming flies. Oh well, their loss because the fish was pretty damn tasty.

Then we took them to Gurah. Since it was a bunch of whippers snappers (most of them, and relative to our other visitors), we decided it was a good idea to take them on a long hike under the tropical sun along an irrigation ditch that our project had helped to clean. The ditch meanders for about 1.5 miles and eventually ends at the base of the mountain. We didn't quite make it to the base of the mountain but it was still quite a scene - hill staffers in khakis and dress shoes navigating through knee high grass and mud.

More pictures from the trip

Lunch in the Geucik's house 

A staffer walking the plank 

The fields of Gurah with the top of the mosque from Lamteungoh 

We climbed into the dome of the top of the Mosque

Shake Shake Shake!

Earthquake #6

Magnitude? 5.5
Date? Sunday 28, August, 11:43:40 PM local time
Epicenter? 55 miles W of Banda Aceh or 5.552°N, 94.511°E
What was I doing? Watching Season 2 of the 'The Sopranos' in bed

Progress

The last time I was in the village of Lamteungoh was about 3 weeks ago. I went back yesterday to attend the geucik (village leader)'s niece's wedding. I was so impressed by the progress. All along the way, there were villagers building brick houses (funded by Gtz - da Germans) and in Lamteungoh, about 10 new houses have gone up, and the new boat launch is almost complete (funded by the French). I wonder what the place will look like in another month.

For the geucik's house, he ran out of tin to complete his roof, so Chris chipped in some of his own money to help the geucik purchase the extra tin needed. To thank Chris, the geucik painted Chris' name on the side of his house.

The new boat launch and new boats at Lamteungoh village 

Villagers building permanent housing 

Chris, Pak Bahruddin and his new house 

Back in Aceh!

I arrived back in Aceh Thursday evening after being gone for almost exactly 2 weeks. Not much changed around the office - still bustling and upbeat (maybe a little cleaner with the new vaccum cleaner). But I definitely noticed some changes in the city. A few more shops have opened, but more noticeable - a lot more infrastructure projects going on. Workers are widening roads all around the city. After the tsunami, new pasars (markets) and commercial areas have popped up in previously residential areas, and the old roads were not wide enough to support the new vibrancy. But the construction is causing Jakarta-like traffic jams in the meantime. The city is also rebuilding and rehabilitating much of the drainage canals and ditches around the city.

A new Japanese-style restaurant opened last week. I'm gonna go check it out tonight and will report back!

Been gone for 2 weeks and I get a poster on the door, what if I'm gone for a month?...banner trailing an airplane? =) 

Shake Shake Shake!

Earthquake #5

Magnitude? 5.0
Date? Friday 26, August, 7:36:52 AM local time
Epicenter? 55 miles W of Banda Aceh or 5.381°N, 94.506°E
What was I doing? Unpacking

Ready, Set, Go!

I'm wrapping up my 12-day visit home. I really should be packing now, but ehh, really not in the mood to figure out how to fit 6 tow ropes (for my cars in Aceh when they get stuck mud), assorted packets of taco, enchilada, chili seasoning mix as well as instant mashed potatoes and red beans and rice mixes, 6 tins of smoked oysters, 1 jar of pesto paste, 6 books, and other assortment of junk that I can probably live without all into my carry-on bag...I may just have to check a bag, but I'm afraid it's going to get lost somewhere in transit, probably end up in the lost and found of Changi Airport in Singapore, never to be seen ever again...

Anyway, I've had a fantastic time in SF and DC. I did everything I was suppose to do relating to my citizenship-swap. Now I'm a passport toting, card carrying member of the US of A. It was also really really nice to see family and friends. Thank you to everyone who took time to hang out with me and an even bigger thank you to those who tried to help me cross things off of the "Things I Miss" list.

Check out the bright tow ropes. Yes, I'm planning to go to New Zealand, any takers? 

Dupont by night 

Gone Fishin'

Well, actually I'm going home. I'm outta here for the next 10 days, will be back in Aceh Monday, August 22.

Tune in then!

Weekend in Bangkok

I was in Bangkok last weekend visiting Khemika. I had such a wonderful time, especially all the sweeter because I had been living without all the luxuries in Aceh. We went to some trendy bars, ate some wonderful food, visited temple ruins, and did some great shopping.

Thanks Khemika!

NEW: Bangkok Pictures (August 28)

With Khemika and Avery

Ruins at Ayutthaya

The Bastion

Jakarta is consistantly on the State Department's Travel Warning List. Since the September 2004 bombing at the Australian Embassy (down the street from our office) and the August 2003 bombing at Marriott, security around the city has been tight - especially around spots where Westerns tend to congregate (like my hotel).

Before you enter the hotel. there are 4 security guards who use mirrors to check the bottom of the car for bombs. They will then open all of the car doors, trunk, and glove compartment to inspect. Once you enter the compound, everyone has to go through a metal detector. There are also guards armed with machine guns stationed around the perimeter of the hotel at all times.

I haven't been to the American Embassy compound yet, but I hear the security is pretty brutal there. You can't bring in any laptops/cell phones that are not US Government issued. They're afraid that someone will be able to detonate a bomb from the inside with a phone.

I'm not sure if all this security make me feel safer, or more of a target.
I think I almost feel safer in Aceh!