Most expats who have lived in Jakarta for any length of time will have a story about electricity problems. From sudden bill increases to blackouts, disconnections and unsafe installations, there is much to moan about – but we’re still better off than remote areas living in the dark. So first, some backhanded praise. An Englishman [...]

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The sound of the referee’s whistle pierces the humid afternoon. Players bolt into action vying for the soccer ball. There is a solid thud as a player’s cleat makes contact with the ball. The ball sails across the green field and is trapped by an oncoming player. In a shuffle of feet from the opposition, [...]

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Pyongyang is the capital of North Korea and the name of a restaurant chain operating outside of the fatherland. I had no idea what to expect from a restaurant run by the infamous North Koreans complete with North Korean staff.  I’ve always wondered why there were North Korean embassies and Ambassadors when emigration is forbidden [...]

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It is the summer of 1858. A soaring heat warms up the river Thames and its urban tributaries, encouraging bacteria to thrive in the sewers beneath London. Clogged by untreated human waste, remains from slaughterhouses, and other garbage, the stench from below becomes near to unbearable to many, while cholera is rampantly spreading. Heavy rain [...]

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With a reputation for hands on leadership, in less than a decade Joko Widodo has risen to become Indonesia’s most popular politician with political capital by the bucket load. The good news is he seems to be using that capital wisely. The bad news is we don’t know how long he’ll stay. If all goes [...]

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Did you know there is actually a mangrove plantation in Jakarta? You probably have driven by it many times and not even noticed. It can be found right along the expressway connecting central Jakarta with Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, a tiny bit of greenery and one of Jakarta’s few true protections against Climate Change and flooding. [...]

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Meet Melissa Calmes. Passionate Belly Dancer, Musician and one third of the Calmes Triplets!   So Melissa, where were you born and raised? I was born in Morgantown, West Virginia, raised in Lexington, Kentucky and lived most of my professional life in Washington, DC. You and your sisters form the dance trio the “The Calmes [...]

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Aseni was a Metro Mini driver for twelve years before deciding to become a motorbike taxi (ojek) driver. Ten years later he is quite content to battle the Jakarta macet to get his passengers to their various destinations on time and in one piece, which is not easy in the Big Durian. Aseni seemed very [...]

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During the 2nd half of 2012, the whole of Jakarta was plastered with banners and posters of potential candidates all vying for Jakarta’s top position. The election had largely been a referendum on proposed solutions to the chronic traffic conditions – one of the major daily issues faced by Jakartans. The Capital’s citizens wanted a [...]

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“Oy! Elvis! It’s your round!” The words sent shivers down my spine. Not because I was in a pub with Elvis (I wish), but because the words were aimed at me and they were spoken by a six-foot tall, 250 pound, heavily bearded Hell’s Angel called Grizzly. I pretended I didn’t hear. “OY!!” he yelled [...]

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Dancing salsa for twelve years in Rome, which is home to some of the largest Cuban Diaspora in Europe, and where thousands of dancers join clubs on weekends, I would have never imagined finding better salsa. But after moving to Jakarta I discovered some of the classiest and most elegant Latin nights. As you rightly [...]

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Meet Raewyn Ashby. The school principal from New Zealand who strives for her students to become confident, connected and actively involved lifelong learners. How long have you been living in Indonesia and how long have you held the position of principal? I have lived in Indonesia for seven years and have held the position of [...]

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Summer, the time of the year where the biggest event in the expat community takes place: the Expat Exodus. Most everybody takes advantage of the school holidays to repatriate at least for a few weeks and enjoy quality family time, real barbecue grilled burgers, fresh (vs. frozen) berries, good root beer, and very possibly some [...]

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Salyem is 39 yrs old and has been selling her herbal-based medicines for eight years. Her Aunty educated her in the world of Jamu and would take Salyem with her, through the back streets of Kebayoran Lama. Her well respected and knowledgeable Aunty seemed to play a critical role in keeping the street sellers of [...]

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