Thoughts from the field

I was right about my 10 day approximation. I’m planning to head back to Bogor on Friday but not after spending the weekend in Jogja - just google image search Borobudur. I am stoked.

After a whirlwind trip, full of flight delays and missed connecting buses, we arrived last Wednesday after 12+ hours of travel. During our trip Rahmi felt nauseous and I was unconscious from overdosing on Benadryl due to a delightful reaction I had to mosquito bites (all fine now though!). We were in bad shape and when we finally arrived at our house, we found no electricity. A situation we’d be in for two days. My last post about the world cup game should clarify.

With my team, no matter how different you may be, its funny the things you’re able to bond over: Music- They love Justin Bieber. This is legit the first time I’ve heard his music, I guess you never can say never. They also share my love for Lady Gaga. We’ve swapped stories about family traditions & holidays & weddings. Through this I am reminded that people are people, no matter what you wear on your head or what you practice, yoga or prayer.

I am happy to report that Pacitan did in fact bring me less bugs and more sunshine, and my first steps in the Indian Ocean!



I can also happily confirm the kindness of the people here. Simple farmers, more than willing to open their doors for hours to chat with strangers. We’ve met with several farmers, head of the farmers groups, a few of the selfless NGO workers in the community, bankers, Agricultural dept. I try to end each interview with a simple question: what do you think the farmers need the most? This leads to a variety of answers: easier access to credit, WATER + irrigation, better business development, more access to yield improving technologies. I’m still trying to wrap my head around everything we’ve learned in the last week and what climate adaptation truly makes the most sense here. Not easy questions to answer.

Behind the friendly faces, seemingly well built homes and decent (by “development” standards) infrastructure and roads, I think its easy to overlook the prevalence of poverty here. That’s because most people are doing fine. The tight knit structure of the community ensures this. However, people are not living nearly to their potential. For example, there is no coordinated garbage collection. Not a one person we’ve seen (here or Bogor) has a fridge and clean drinking water is unheard of. Children are still sick from 100% treatable issues that we absolutely take for granted. And why the hell were we without electricity for two days?? God, if Taft Lane (mom and dad’s house) went more than 20 minutes without electricity it would be completely unacceptable. I feel it’s a matter of recognizing that you need and then demanding what is needed. Thankfully, Ken and Maria taught me this damn well and I hope I’m not only teaching this lesson to others but in bringing a “celebrity” voice to their cause may help initiate small change. As an American here I’m treated uncomfortably like a celebrity. It’s a distinction I don’t take lightly and hope to put that to good use!