Mr. Indiana Jones and Me

The last several days have been dedicated to research and adventures. The sporadic adventures have been a product of blind faith in the lovely villagers of Nehas Liah Bing, and thus have been fervently rewarded. Just the other day, I was working on typing up some research when my buddy Aken came up and said it was time to play soccer. Being only a quarter to noon, I was confused but what the hell, gametime. Hopping on the back of his motorcycle we sped to my house to grab boots, and then sped off. Now I was aware of the fact that the game today was not in the town, based on the fact that we were leaving over four hours earlier than usual, as well as through Aken and my broken Indoinglish. What I wasn’t prepared for was a mad chasing down of a bus, climbing onto and finding all the towns players packed into a bus heading for our game. Next thing I know, we’re on a two hour bus ride, on roads that atvs would have had difficulty on. We arrive in the town, relax in a friends house, eat some cookies and drink some water before leaving for the game. Dressed up in uni’s, we had a friendly match with a village of players whom were all pretty damn talented. We ended up winning 3-1, a good game, I got to play the whole first half, and it was a blast. What really was the best part was just kicking it with the guys driving on the bus to the match and back, being able to make jokes (attempt at least) and just joke around. There was an Indonesian karaoke machine chalk full of traditional Indonesian songs, where everyone was belting it and joking yelling from free-fall, being suspended when speed bumps were quite the surprise. It was really a fantastic time, bringing back such great memories with Drake high buddies going to and from tournaments. It was truly a great feeling to be making such damn good memories while bringing back just as good ones. It was ironically a blessing to not have my camera on me. There were a million times where I would be dying to get a video of these crazy guys, or snap a shot of us in our neon orange uni’s, but the lack of having a camera almost made me take in the experiences more. I feel that too often we hide behind our cameras and flips, not truly appreciating the beauty of moments because we either know we have it on film (sorry Steve, on video) or because we suspend so much effort and energy finding the best shot.

Yesterday, in attempt to learn more about local medicinal plant gathering, several of use rode a rickety pickup with the back suited with two wooden benches. Forty five minutes later we are at what is called Kombeng. Kombeng is literally a mountainous range in the middle of palm plantations that is utterly hollow. A huge cave by the name of the Wind Hole, it is prime exploring and climbing material. Suited with three flashlights, we took off, ditching our shoes near the front, and going almost knee deep at times in concoctions of mud and guano and unable bugs. Bats populated the caves by the thousands, as they swarmed in circles and dispersed from the echo of our voices. I know Indian Jones would be proud. We ended up climbing around 100 meters inside the caves, slipping and crawling, and having truly, an unexpected, crazy adventure. This feeling of unpredictability is so rich. I don’t think I would have enjoyed the adventure half as much if I had been told we would be wading in guano with the squirming of cockroaches and other unnamable insects, with hoards of bats sending mistimed breezes near my face. It was great.

Some students and researchers have arrived from Osh Kosh University, Wisconsin, yesterday. It is definitely a treat to have some more English speakers here, as well as a much unpredicted bonus. As they joined us for well-timed Eraus both day and night, they seemed to put my entire experience in the village. By helping them with common curtosies and practices, helping them translate and teaching them about life in the village, they showed me how much language I have learned, how much I have learned about the village and everyday life, how many people I know living here, just how great of a lexicon of language and knowledge I have built, it is a warming experience, one I cannot thank them enough for.

We’re off tomorrow. The forest will be a brilliant place to organize thoughts and research. With sunsets and hikes and the spotting of animals (I’m still crossing my fingers for a slow loris), it will be really nice. But with remoteness comes the inability to access the satilites and let all y’all know about our adventures. So I shall update y’all in about a weeks time, where hopefully I’ll have organized my data, finished another book or two, and find good time for some R&R (unfortunately not the Rat and the Raven my dear Seattlites). I miss you, and wish you were here with me.

Your Pa(u)l