SAPIMALAS

World's Worst Tourists

2009-07-09T22:04:00.000-07:00

Not the Russian. Nyet. I also thought it would be the Russian. Apparently, the world's worst tourists are our Gallic friends, tze French. Yes, they might control the fashion world, has a gorgeous First Lady, invented croissant, claimed to produce the best wine in tze whole world and played host to the most prestigious cycling event. But ohlala, when it comes to being a tourist and visiting other countries, their manner is uncharmingly French.

Don't get me wrong here. I love France, the French in general and their culture. In fact, I might say I'm a bit of a Francophile. During my travel, I met superbly generous and warm-hearted French who welcomed me to their country even tough they speak no English, I speak no French and our communication was basically Stone Age. An old man in Paris led me to the nearest Metro station when I got lost and said sincerely 'bonne chance!' (little did I know then, that when a Frenchman told you 'good luck' it means that you're in real need for luck).

I met a fine gentleman from Bordeaux who informed me on how the French made foie gras (those poor French ducks!) and where to find the most authentic French cuisine. I also met two fine specimen of what French guys are famously known world wide. Mais oui, those penetrating deep dark eyes, one day unshaven beard, knee weakening accent and all that. Unfortunately, their manner was invicible. They kept speaking in their native French tongue, ignored me and my friend completely, responded icely when one of my friend was brave enough to said the one and only words he knew in French: voulez-vouz coucher avec moi (ce soir)? It's a bit kitschy, I know, but what's the harm in smiling?

They also accused to spend less than nationalities when abroad. Well, I find spending lots of money shopping while you traveling is a waste either. You can use it to travel more better than buying those kitschy snow globe or giant size pencil that you'll never use anyway. Maybe Indonesian tourists could learn that from the French. To be fair, French tourists are not all bad. They are also happened to be the best dressed tourists on holiday, after the Italians and British. That I absolutely agree. Living in Bali, my eyes are pretty much trained to tell which tourist is from which country. We loved playing that game on the beach.

Australians: you can pretty much tell from their red face (Bintangs effect), Billabong shorts or Roxy T-shirts and their cheerful, friendly nature.

Japanese: you can find in most shopping arcade, well (over) dressed, always with big hats or umbrella (a trait they share with other Asian tourist whose biggest phobia are having dark skin). When you take a picture of them, there are 90% chance they'll pose with that Winston Churcill gesture of victory.

Chinese/Taiwanese/Korean: usually comes in big bus, having their meals in Chinese restaurant which has Lazy Susan all over the tables, not as well dressed as their Japanese counterparts and loud.

Italians: good looking people. Well dressed (less is more is their spirit). Tanned (I've never seen a pasty, white faced Italian before). Mostly wear good shoes and always wear at least a piece of bling bling (regardless of their sex)

Germans: well, what can I say about this one? German tourists are much ridiculed everywhere on their-too-casual-tend-to-ignorant choice of fashion, their Birkenstock (although I must admit it is very comfortable) and their beer belly. They're nice people tough. You can always depend on them for being on time, never break the laws, good partner for hiking (they have diesel stamina).

Russians: scandalous. Rich. Spending like there's no tomorrow. Always bring a blank-faced -killer body- trophy wife/mistress/girlfriend/harem/slave/prostitute whenever they travel. The men always looks like they've been recently released from a prison by the gulag.

And to be fair, Indonesian: travel in a bunch. Most of the time can be found in major shopping street all over the world (tell an Indonesian tourist that there's no shop in your small town, they'll be able to find one eventually). Always posing in front of famous landmarks or everywhere they think will looks good in their facebook page, even if they block the traffic. We don't care.

So there you go. Please don't take it harshly. It doesn't mean to ridicule people or their nationalities. It's only to prove that cliche does exist.

More Reason to Take Coffee Break

2009-07-05T22:37:00.000-07:00

..if the coffee itself is not already an excuse, I mean. Listen to these three charming fellow reading passage from some of the best classic books such as Pride & Prejudice, Great Expectations or High Fidelity. I don't think drinking coffee will ever be the same after this.

Murakami New Book: 1Q84

2009-07-01T23:28:00.000-07:00

Can't wait for it to be translated into English. As Haruki Murakami's die-hard fan, I pledge to start saving now. After all, two hard-covers of 1,000 something pages does sounds expensive. No publisher review has leaked yet beside this tiny bit of info that the book is about 'two characters, a man and a woman, who are searching for each other'.

Summer Reading

2009-06-25T23:09:00.000-07:00

Ah, Summer. The glorious season to read. During vacay, at home or in your favorite cafe (like what I do all the time). AbeBooks compiled lists of 2009 summer read. There are classics as well as new books from new writers. Currently, I have 52 to-read books in my goodreads page. How I wish I own more than a pair of eyes and hands.

Around the Road on Sunday

2009-06-22T01:21:00.000-07:00

Literal translation. The pic is blurry because my other hand was on the wheel.

One can only assuming that inside there is no skinny chef.

Breakfast at Bali

2009-06-15T22:24:00.001-07:00

A great way to start the day.

Meet Le Petit Prince and Matilda

2009-05-13T00:20:00.000-07:00

There is finally a sun in Bali. I've been sitting my days at the office, grumpy and mellowed by the gray weather. I've been around the internet today (yes, during office hours. You got me busted!) and found this post in notcot.com about illustration made by artists, inspired by children book covers. Children books and illustration is inseparable. It is part of the magic. As you can see I took the liberty of showcasing few illustration in this blog. For complete report and drawings click here.

I really adore this picture of Matilda I made it my profile picture in goodreads.

And of course you just can't miss the all time favorite, Le Petit Prince. I wish I can own them all!

Jakarta: Best Place to Learn Patience

2009-04-27T01:22:00.000-07:00

Patience is a virtue. Patience is a virtue. Patience is a virtue. Om... or so the mantra went in my mind during one of the worst time ever in my life. I sat hunched in a small car with four other girls, all of us were starving, in serious need for relieving ourselves from the increased pressing down under and was so tired from swearing everyone in charge of this stinking hell hole which was Jakarta. We were trapped in a freeway (freeway! Oh the irony of it!) for almost six hours just because we wanted to celebrate my friend's birthday.

Luckily, I don't live there anymore. I live in an island where you don't have to be trapped for three hours just because you made a spontaneous decision of visiting your boyfriend in his house. Here, I could just do a spontaneous U-turn and reward myself with a lychee martini and peaceful sunset without the need to stuck in traffic for hours (except of course when Homo Jakartanesis decides to have an island getaway and flock to this tiny island and create yet another traffic).

My favorite Time magazine recently created a list of The Best of Asia 2009. Maldives was rewarded as the best place to hear the call to prayer. Philippines was named as the best place to eat suckling pig. China was mentioned as the place to get autumn hike. How about Indonesia, you ask. Well, it certainly received a mention as well. Jakarta to be more precise. Apparently, Jakarta is the best place to learn patience. In a car. For hours. Waiting for your gallbladder to burst open.

In the article written by Jason Tedjasukmana, Jakarta's traffic will grind to a complete halt by 2014. That is five years from now. If the government don't take any immediate action, Jakarta will be an underwater city with traffic. Advice to the hip-trendy-cooler-than-thou-Jakartans: maybe it's time to seek job else where? You know, just in case.

Bonjour Française!

2009-04-19T21:14:00.000-07:00

Click here for complete schedule

Come Ye Readers Wherever You Are...

2009-04-14T21:24:00.001-07:00

Click to enlarge the picture.

Free Screening "Une Femme est Une Femme"

2009-04-12T20:48:00.001-07:00

Friday, April 17, 2009
7pm
Alliance Française
Jalan Raya Puputan I No. 13A
Renon - Denpasar

Director: Jean-Luc Godard
Starring: Anna Karina, Jean-Claude Brialy, Jean-Paul Belmondo
1961/80mins./Comedy
French with English subtitle

Why I Will Never Set Foot Again on the Mangrove Information Center

2009-04-07T00:27:00.000-07:00

Upon entering the entrance, a man demanded entrance fee for 50,000 IDR for foreigner. He gave me no ticket, no nothing. When I pressed him about this matter, he said coyly ‘for the maintenance purpose’. Yeah right. Can somebody confirm to me about this entrance fee? Obviously, nothing is being maintained there as you can see below…

First thing first, there was much plastic garbage dumped or stranded on the mangrove trees. I know this happened because of the disgusting amount of people are still dumping their garbage to the river which eventually ended up in the trash mangrove forest

The famous 1.9 km wooden walkway was in such a bad shape I didn’t believe that so far there is no accident reported. The track was disjointed, terrifyingly angled to only one side and some are simply gone (wood fire?). I wonder where the 50,000 IDR go

It was hot, humid and apparently the mosquitoes were so hungry there. Don’t get me wrong, I like nature and I’m not a whiny princess who is afraid of sun and mosquitoes but it was too much. So it was totally beyond me how so many hormone-raging teenagers went there to make out. I understand the place is quite and hidden from parental view but still…oh, and they left so many vandalistic cryptograms (“Eko & Ayu Forever”) it was not cute anymore

In conclusion: Don’t go there. Just don’t. Find some place else for your pre-wedding photographs because bride with broken limb is not a pretty bride. Unless you are fully-covered by insurance and you love the adrenaline thrill of walking on ruined walkway with knowledge that you might fall to the swamp if you step on the wrong wood, then be my guest.

Michelle & Carla's Fashion Showdown

2009-04-04T03:25:00.000-07:00

I know I’m supposed to be more aware of the outcome of G 2O Summit and watching Obama kickin’ ass in his first international forum. However, I found his wife also particularly interesting. Her not-so-conservative style has been much complimented and debated. Even in this summit, she made splashes in the news regarding her ‘warm touch’ to the Queen and even this fashion showdown between Michelle and the badass First Lady of France, Carla Bruni- Sarkozy. Who do you think wear it better?

Michelle in Thakoon floral- print coat v.s Carla in Dior gray trench coat with her trademark, black flat

(not much choice there, considering her hubbie’s limited height).

One Hour for Mother Earth

2009-03-31T21:26:00.000-07:00

I can't help but share with you this cool link where you can find pictures of famous landmarks with the lights off and on. Just click the picture to see how the light dimmed for one hour to celebrate Earth Hour 2009, like this dark Bundaran HI in Jakarta. A small step but it was a step after all. We joined this green awareness by switching off our most of lamps in the house. I said most, because I couldn't help not watching the first episode of "Project Runaway" Season 5. Sorry, Mother Earth.

Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover…

2009-02-19T20:41:00.000-08:00

...or so they say!

Undeniably, book cover is what attracts potential reader to pick up a book from the rest of the stack. Well-designed books enhance the value and enrich the experience of reading. For me, there’s nothing more beautiful then holding a beautifully designed book in hand while sipping a latte. One of my favorite publishers is Penguin, which I believe successfully bring the concept of ‘well-designed cover’ to the whole new level. See here for yourself if you don’t quite believe me.

To take this subject even further, Abebooks also published a blog about “30 Novels Worth Buying For the Cover Alone” which includes some of my favorite designs. I guess what I’m trying to say is who doesn’t want these kinds of books in her or his library:or this:
Even their classic edition is simply gorgeous, don't you think?

"President" Ilham Anas

2009-02-03T21:09:00.000-08:00

A photographer from Bandung made a splash in the internet because his resemblance to current USA President, Barack Obama. President Obama’s almost iconic status inevitably delivers a spawn of imitators including Mr. Ilham Anas. So far, Mr. Anas has been invited to Indonesia’s popular talk show, Bukan Empat Mata as well as becoming a star in in a Filipino medicine ad (supposedly “Mr.Obama” having a dinner with “Mrs. Gloria”). I won’t be surprised to hear if Mr.Anas will move to States someday soon and make a career out of it. Gather ye’rosebuds while ye’may...

2009

2009-01-28T23:34:00.000-08:00

Bear with me, dear readers. Due to continuous over-consumption, post-new year blues, unfinished last year resolution and blogger's block, I have been in a limbo state of mind. I will be back shortly. Hopefully much more inspired and less insipid. Anyhoo, wishing you a marvelous Ox year!

Secret Service's New Training

2008-12-18T20:18:00.000-08:00

Lamentation for A Balinese Dog

2008-12-14T20:52:00.001-08:00

I am just a dog.
Beaten, kicked and starving dog.
I mean you no harm,
just trying to live
between busy street
avoiding myself from getting hit.
Do I also need to be killed?

A Night with Three Dancers

2008-12-13T06:47:00.000-08:00

Despite the constant state of pouring rain, I managed to drive with my friend, L, to a dance performance by three Japanese maestros in Geoks, Singapadu yesterday night. I had no idea what would be performed since it was L who arranged the whole thing and I, as ever the culture vulture, followed faithfully. After walking through a muddy alleyway, with rain strong enough to ruin shoes and hairs, we arrived at the hidden performance hall.

It was more of a school hall with the simplest seating arrangement ever. Plastic chairs and stadium wooden bench. However nobody really care. The room was packed with crowds, mostly Westerners and art community people.

The first performer was Keiin Yoshimura with the dance piece titled Yuki (Snow). There was two candles in each side of the stage, a shamisen player and the dancer, dressed in a white kimono and holding a parasol. She danced beautifully, using the parasol to convey her emotions. I felt sadness, loss, cold and a sense of nostalgia. It turns out, the dance was about a story of a geisha in the verge of becoming a nun and reminiscing over her past love. It is a “Kamigata-mai dance, pure poetry translated into dance and music within an unfolding meditative space."

Without an interlude, the stage was darken off and suddenly audience saw a white hunch-back figure on the stage. The figure stayed in the same position for a while until it started to move. The bald man wearing a crème suit and matching trouser was Yoshito Ohno, performing his piece titled Kuu (Emptiness). To tell you the truth, I didn’t quite catch the meaning of his performance. My limited knowledge on dance performances, was quite tested last night. I could see how he had an amazing contol over his muscles and movement. I could sense that he seemed to dance with an imaginary figure. He was a kid, a woman, an old man at once.

However the performance which affected me the most was by Saga Kobayashi under the title Hakuyou (Whitemelt). For me it was disconcerting at first. The dancer showed up in white dress, muddled long black hair and carrying a candle in her hand. She started to make her way into the front of the stage, half-walking and half-dragging her way. Her body language was strange, not quite a dance movement. The moderator said the piece as butoh. The program’s description of the piece said “body doing butoh, body being invaded…vacant body with nothing inside. Organs dried, trown away like a dead fly. A female fly sits at the bottom…anthena shiffering, eyes twitching.”

To me, she looks like a female ghost in Asian horror movie. I even wonder at some low point during the performance, if Sadako, the she-ghost in Japanese horror movie, Ringu, was inspired by this performance. The body twitching and stacatto movement strikes me as similar. It was not an easy performance to be watched and understood, although I think the whole experience was mystical. I didn’t feel I was sitting in a cramped hall with my butt felt half-numb by sitting on a hard bench. I felt myself transformed into another place. I could sense that this performance has a “soul” in it similar with Calonarang, a sacred dance performance in Bali.

I’m not sure I like it. It was haunting and surely something that I wouldn’t forget in quite a while but I don’t think I’d see another butoh performance in near time. It was however, an eye opener for me. A great honor for Bali, to be able to host a performance from a world reknown maestros. I felt truly priviliged to be able to see such a provocative and strong performances, despite the minimal facility and a rather hasty event preparation.

Destruction of 18th Century Plantation House in Tangerang

2008-12-07T00:12:00.000-08:00

I don’t like starting my Sunday by getting angry. Unfortunately, it was exactly what happened to me this morning and cause this emotional blog outpouring. I have a special interest in historical buildings, cultivated since my years in Jakarta and intense research for my final projet in university. Right this minute, an 18th century rubber plantation house is on its way to be demolished. Its brick was sold piece by piece, for a mere 1.200 IDR (or a pathetic few cents). The house is the only remaining heritage of Indische-Chinese-Javanese architectural style in the world. I said the only, because another buildings was already demolished or improperly “renovated” as a shopping mall, as was the case with Candra Naya.

Right this minute, while the local Tangerang government absently taking a long weekend off, the tearing continues. This house, said to once belonged to a influential Kapitein der Chineezen Oey Djie San, located beside Cisadane River, has two different façade. The one facing Cisadane River has a Chinese style façade where the one facing the street has a Indische style architecture. Guarding the front door, there used to be two quilin lion statues which now perhaps sitting in a warehouse, ready to be auctioned.

Right this minute, the house which has been raped from its antique ornaments, teak wood (priced 1 million rupiah per m³) and terracotta tiles, continues to be torned down. Later, they will be sold to collectors in Australia and Netherland for God-knows-what-price.

Please stop this from happening. A voice can make a different. Please help to save this building by clicking it here.

Kindly urge your family and friends to write to the Tangerang Local Government’s website.

Don’t let this building becoming the Second Candra Naya!

For further information, images and articles about this house please click the links below:

http://cetak.kompas.com/read/xml/2008/12/04/0115123/gedung.tua.di.tangerang.dibongkar

Kompas article (in Bahasa Indonesia)

http://indonesianhistorical.multiply.com/journal/item/3/Sebelum_Tinggal_Puing
current condition of the building (in Bahasa Indonesia)

http://mahandisyoanata.multiply.com/photos/album/109/COUNTRY_HOUSE_OF_RUBBER_PLANTATION_IN_TANGERANG_NEED_YOUR_ATTENTION_

complete historical information, images, interior condition and updates (in English)

http://www.leidenuniv.nl/fsw/nas/pub_houseIndonesia.htm

"The House in Indonesia Between Globalization and Localization" by Peter J.M. Nas (in English)

SapiMalas’s Must Watched Movies List

2008-12-05T22:34:00.000-08:00

Slumdog Millionaire

A boy trying to win 20 million rupees from “Who Wants to be A Millionaire” kind of quiz, win the heart of a girl and dodging the police’s suspicion. Based on a best-seller book titled “Q&A” by Vikas Swarup, it also recently won the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures award as the Best Film of 2008.

Doubt
Meryl Streep as the Principal of Catholic School. Phillip Seymour Hoffman as the charismatic priest, accused of “paying too much attention” to one of the student. Enough said.

The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas
I know what will happen since I’ve read the book. I’d love to see how the tragic story from the perspective of a child, will be translated into movie.

Revolutionary Road
Kate Winslet and Leonardo diCaprio are back as a couple! Finally, he looks compatible and believable enough to be Kate’s object of affection. I hope nobody will drown this time.

Tale of Despereaux
(or to be descriptive: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread)
Love the book! I can’t wait to see the Mouse Knight saving The Princess in action.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s story about a man who was born in his eighties and aged backwards. I want to see Brad Pitt’s transformation from old age into childhood. Plenty of Oscar buzz included.

Defiance

I can’t get enough of World War II movies. Buff, army guys is one reason. Another reason is I love to see combat action with not too much special effect. This one has Daniel Craig in it. Yummy.

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
This movie said to be the next cult hit as “Juno” did last year. The soundtrack already became a instant hit. I find Michael Cera’s dorky face very adorable.

The Brothers Bloom
I find Adrien Brody’s starving feature very sexy. I’d love to see him playing con-man in pursuit of a rich heiress, Rachel Weisz. Rinko Kikuchi who once amazed the audience by her brazen role in Babel, also makes her comeback.

Valkyrie
Dear Tom…finally! I’m getting used of your long absence post-matrimonial bliss period.

Local Color
The yahoo movie description says: A talented but troubled art school student befriends an elderly alcoholic genius painter who has turned his back on art and life. I say, based on the many awards it already won and displayed in the poster, it should be good.

Happy-Go-Lucky
I always try to look at glasses as half-full. I’d like to see how the heroine also struggle to do the same.

Don’t you just love Oscar season! Plenty of good movies, beautiful screenplay and brilliant acting.

To Describe How Suck 21 Cineplex is in Bali...

2008-12-02T23:43:00.000-08:00

is to tell you that I just watched "Sex & the City" last Saturday night. I might as well say good bye to watching "Twilight" this year.

Anyone care to make a joint venture for a new theater in Bali?

Postcard from Behind A Truck I

2008-12-01T22:55:00.000-08:00

Red Soup for Rainy Days

2008-11-28T20:34:00.000-08:00

After some hassle and dazzle, I managed to kidnap my family to try the new restaurant in Tuban, The Red Soup. Upon entering the door, we were welcomed by a bunch of smiling staff and the heat emanating from the front kitchen. Customers have to order and pay first in the cashier, much in the fashion of the food court. On the wall, I found another selection apart from the red soup, which is salad, sandwich and the usual array of easily cooked meals. All are averagely priced 27,000 IDR. For the red soup, we were given the choice of rice or croutons, price included.

The red soup is a homey meal and it said to be one of the Cina Peranakan cuisine, mainly in East Java area. The red soup contains macaroni, carrots, chicken, broccoli, sausage and meatballs. Simply perfect for the gloom rainy days lately in Bali. The sphagetti also quite tasteful and should be tried. The service and cleanliness are good. The interior is quite surprising and somewhat above expectation. It certainly doesn’t feel as homey as the soup. I feel more in a brothel than in the restaurant (that’s the bitchy interior designer me speaking). Good value, good taste. I would keep coming back.

The Red Soup
Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai - Tuban (across Rama Tour)
Phone 0361 - 764738