Life in Surabaya

You are all probably wondering what life is like in Surabaya. I realized that my posts are more about my experience and not as much about what it is like here. So, here is the post you have been waiting for!

Surabaya is the 2nd largest city in Indonesia. It is crowded and very busy. Malls are their way of life. Sorry, Ben and Darcy, I think you would hate it here. Seriously, there is a GIANT mall every 10 blocks or sometimes across the street from one another. They are HUGE - at least 4 stories! Not as big as Mall of America but bigger than any other mall I have ever seen (and you know how I love malls!). It is actually pretty sickening. I think it totally takes away from what could be a beautiful city. But, the malls are air conditioned and they are free so, it is where people go and what they do every day. The mall I am in right now has a Starbucks, McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, KFC and Ace Hardware. However, there is no fountain Diet Coke to be found anywhere! :(

People drive on the opposite side of the road in Indonesia. Traffic is horrible! You couldn't pay me to drive in this! There doesn't appear to be any rhyme or reason to when you go and when you stop. And they honk their horns all the time. It is not safe to walk in the city so you have to take a taxi everywhere.

You are either rich or poor here so there are some HUGE, gorgeous houses and lots of tiny shacks.

Surabaya is 8 degrees below the equator so there is 12 hours of sunlight every day (from 5:3oam to 5:30pm). It's weird getting used to it being dark early even though it is "summer".

They speak Indonesian here. Some people speak English but it is usually pretty broken and very simplistic. We had a seminar yesterday led by 2 Americans. Half of what they said was over the heads of the Indonesian teachers because their English is not that good. But that was ok, because they were trying to brainwash us anyway.

Oh, my goodness, I just saw 6 white people walking by. That is unheard of here! Seriously, the only white people I ever see are the other expatriate teachers from the school.

Cell phones and internet is pay as you go. For cell phones, you buy a phone, then you buy a phone number, then you buy your minutes. And you have to update your minutes every month or when you run out. So, everyone here texts (SMS) because it is cheaper. I will be getting a land line at my permanent house so then I will be able to make International calls as the land lines are not pay as you go. Internet is also pay as you go so, it is great when you find free wi-fi!

They do have Western toilets in most places here. Yes! But you don't flush the tp. Gross! Also, you usually have to pay to use the toilets in public places. And everywhere is BYOTP. Even at the school.

The food here is pretty good. I have been sticking to rice and chicken. After church on Sunday I had a traditional Indonesian meal which was hard boiled eggs, cabbage, fish biscuits and what I hope was chicken in a boil. It was covered in peanut sauce and then curry was added on top. Not my favorite meal. They also served lunch at school yesterday and it was rice, fish (with the skin and bones) and some soup thing. I ate the rice. They do use cutlery here instead of chopsticks. But they don't give you knives most of the time. Just a fork and spoon.

I think we are on the ocean but, I haven't seen the ocean yet. And there are mixed details about a beach. Someone told me there isn't a beach here and you have to go 2 hours to get to the beach. But someone else said there is a beach in town. There is a pool near the house where I am staying. I will check that out this weekend. There is a waterpark near the West campus, where I will be living. I will definitely check that out!

There aren't any parks in town. Not much at all for being outside. So, the town just looks dirty and busy.

Things are really cheap here! A movie is US$2 and popcorn is US$2. US$2 is 2,000 Rupiah so I feel like a millionaire with my money! Actually, I am a millionaire here because a million rupiah is like US$100. I went to The Body Shop here just to compare prices. It's about half the price that you would pay in the US. I love cheap shopping!

Ok, I think that is all I can tell you about Surabaya for now. Sorry for so many posts in one day but, I have to use the internet when I can get it. I hope to be better about keeping up with the blog now that I know where to get free wi-fi! Oh, I have Skype now too so e-mail me (hotmail or facebook) if you want to know my account name so we can chat for free! I Skyped with Jonathan this morning and it was so good to see a familiar face and hear a familiar voice!

Laters!