Riding A Motorcycle Is the closest thing to Flying A few years ago I walked into my doctor’s office holding my aching back. I suspected my pain was the result of the long motorcycle trip I had just returned from. I was anticipating that doctor H. would reprimand me for riding a motorbike. After examining me, he smiled and said: «Carl, riding a motorbike is the closest thing to flying. Just hold you body straight while riding. You see how the Montreal motorcycle police ride with their backs upright.» From that day on, every time I get on my motorbike, I remember doctor H.’s words. Indonesia is motorcycle Country Rumah Teh Ndoro DonkerForty-five kilometers north east of the city of Solo where I live with my wife is the hill resort of Tawangmangu on the slopes of Mount Lawu. It is a great place to go if one wishes to escape the city heat. Further up the slopes are the two temples of Candi Sukuh and Candi Ceto built in the 15th century. Nestled between the two temples is the town of Ngargoyoso where Andan and I rode the motorbike to the tea plantation and the «Rumah Teh Ndoro Donker». The tea house is in an old colonial building built next to the tea plantations. Andan and I enjoyed the locally grown green tea and of course I walked between the tea bushes to photograph the women working. Tea workers |
I was patiently waiting outside of the immigration office of the city of Solo in Central Java. |
I am beginning a new project that involves traveling, discovering and taking photographs.
I travel by bicycle in the small alleys and large streets of Solo, in search of becak drivers.
Some sleeping in their vehicle others wide awake searching for clients.
This way I get to do some exercise while discovering my own backyard and meeting the solitary becak drivers of Solo.
I travel by bicycle in the small alleys and large streets of Solo, in search of becak drivers.
Some sleeping in their vehicle others wide awake searching for clients.
This way I get to do some exercise while discovering my own backyard and meeting the solitary becak drivers of Solo.
Here is a short video of becak drivers at work. You will now understand why they fall asleep in their cramped vehicle.
In the city of Solo, I live in a " kampung ", that is to say a village in the middle of the city. This kampung is named Purwonegaran. If you want to find me, you ask for Purwonegaran then RT 003 and RW 005. The Rt and the RW are the leaders in this part of town. Each kampung has its own guardhouse that serves as a public toilet and bath. It is also a place to come and watch soccer games or cinétrons (soap opera) on the small 20 inch TV. Often late at night I hear " Go Habs Go " in Indonesian. Before moving in this inner-city village, we must announce ourselves to the head of the village. It is then expected that you present yourself and your family to the neighbours. Once these formalities have been completed, you and your family officially become part of the village.
One does not wander head lowered among the back streets of the village. Instead, you should walk looking up and
greeting the neighbours. If I am alone, they will ask: "Where is Andan? " (My wife) or: " Where are you going? " Or:
«Mr. Carl, bring an umbrella, it is going to rain.»
greeting the neighbours. If I am alone, they will ask: "Where is Andan? " (My wife) or: " Where are you going? " Or:
«Mr. Carl, bring an umbrella, it is going to rain.»
In the following pictures you see the young Revi returning from school with his friends. Behind him, younger children are enjoying a ride on a scooter or frog on a carousel. The children learn traditional nursery rhymes while imagining adventures that take them into the unknown on their stationary travels.
To see the carousel and its driver in action or to learn an Indonesian nursery rhyme, please look at the video on the right. | | Pour voir le manège et son conducteur en action et apprendre une comptine Indonésienne, voyez la vidéo à gauche. |
Voyages stationnaires
À Solo, j’habite un «kampung», c’est-à dire un village au milieu de la ville. Ce kampung porte le nom de Purwonegaran. Si vous voulez me trouvez, vous demandez Purwonegaran puis le RT 003 ou bien le RW 005. Les Rt et RW sont les chefs de ce coin de ville. Chaque Kampung a son poste de garde. Ce poste sert de WC et de bain publique. C’est aussi un endroit pour venir regarder les matchs de foot ou les cinétrons (roman savon) sur le petite télé 20 pouces. Souvent en fin de soirée j’entends des «Go Habs Go» en Indonésien. Pour habiter ce mini village, il faut s’annoncer au chef lorsque l’on emménage pour la première fois puis on attend de vous que vous vous présentiez aux voisins. Une fois ces formalités accomplies, vous faites parti du village. On ne se promène pas la tête baissée parmi les ruelles du village; au contraire, on marche en regardant et en saluant les voisins. Ils vous demanderont : «où allez-vous?» Si je suis seul, il me questionneront:« où est Andan?» (Ma compagne).«Monsieur Carl, apportez votre parapluie, il va pleuvoir».
Sur une des photos vous voyez le jeune Revi qui revient de l’école avec ses amis. Derrière lui, des jeunes enfants font un tour de cheval ou de grenouille sur un manège ambulant dont la musique m’a attiré hors de la maison. Ces enfants apprennent les comptines traditionnelles tout en imaginant des aventures qui les emmènent dans des contrées inconnues.
Sur une des photos vous voyez le jeune Revi qui revient de l’école avec ses amis. Derrière lui, des jeunes enfants font un tour de cheval ou de grenouille sur un manège ambulant dont la musique m’a attiré hors de la maison. Ces enfants apprennent les comptines traditionnelles tout en imaginant des aventures qui les emmènent dans des contrées inconnues.
Thought of the day
Pensée du jour
How beautiful it is to get up and go out and do something. We are here on Earth to fart around. Don't let anybody tell you any different.
Kurt Vonnegut.
A MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY.