Lovin' Jakarta!

Jakarta is fabulous! There is so much to say we don't know where to start!

This city is much different than we originally expected. And, the school is off the charts! They met us right after immigration and somehow were able to get into security to meet us at baggage claim. They helped us separate our baggage into our weekend necessities and then our take home bags. Then, they took us to the Sultan Hotel for orientation weekend. Everything was incredibly smooth and they just let us relax and catch up on jet-lag. After a weekend of orientation at the hotel, they moved us to our new homes. The couples and families were moved to an area called Bintaro. Our new house is quite large and beautiful. There are 18 houses clustered around a green space with tennis courts and trampoline. The houses are shaped like an ‘L’ with the pool and clubhouse at the bend. It sounds bigger than it really is, but it’s still very nice.

Here’s a few pics of our new city.

Jen and Jess enjoying a spa visit

Hanni, our cook, makes us some incredible food. Here’s a tasty Mexican treat!

The track at the high school.

Surviving orientation one cup of coffee at a time.

The entrance to our the elementary campus.

The campus is beautiful with plenty of space to run.

Jen’s art room was not finished when we first arrived.

The first day on campus, the staff played traditional Indonesian music to welcome us. Very cool!

Campus is like a tropical park!

Us shopping for some plants for the house.

During orientation week, one of the principals threw us new teachers a party. Word got out that a few of us had anniversary’s coming.

Our bedroom.

Our living room.

Hanni went all out for our anniversary. And, Jen was able to track down some Antinori wine.

Another shot of campus.

Buying our new car! It’s not new but new to us.

Jen and Liz in the elementary lobby.

Another shot of campus.

A new coworker, Jen S., and I greeting students on the first day.

Marsih and Hanni in our kitchen helping us out with a dinner party.

Hanni made twice-baked potatoes! Awesome.

They put on a great spread for us!

What can we say? We love Jakarta!

Tokyo!

Wow! Japan was awesome! We went to Tokyo for 4 days on a long weekend with Jess and Hugo and had a blast. Japan is a very nice place and a very liveable. We stayed in a area called Shinjuku which was very crowded but a perfect spot for us to explore the city. Here's a few pics below.


We got a little lost trying to find our hotel. This street is jam packed at night.


















Our tiny bathroom. I had to duck to get in. It was more like an airplane restroom.



















Hugo and Jess were lured in by all the machines.















I'm a sucker for a coin machine on the streets.















A neat little Shinto temple in the middle of the city.















Later that night, we met up with Craig and Caroline. This is where they met us at Shibuya. If you look closely, you can see the truck says Bon Jovi on it.














Good lord! I thought Zima had gone out of business (or rather hoped). I guess the Japanese like "zomething different." Of course, I had to order one...














Craig and Caroline got engaged just days before! Congrats!














Trying out the robe...looks like it works.



















A neat temple near Yanaka Cemetery.















We found chocolate covered bananas at Ueno Park.















The trains and subways were a little confusing at first but quite efficient once you get the hang of it.















Some Sushi and Sake.














A couple of crazy Karoakers.














Near the Imperial Palace.














Another view of part of the Imperial Palace. The bummer is that you can't visit inside the grounds.



















Japanese Gardens















Jen ordered up a boot of beer. Das Boot!















I think this is the Ginza shopping area...or just another neon-filled street.















Craig and Caroline took us to a very cool BBQ restaurant our last night. We had a great time with them and hope we can meet up again.














The view from the Roppongi Hills Tower.

Japan was great and I hope we get to return someday soon!

Our new home...Jakarta!!!

JAKARTA!

We left Thursday afternoon and got there around 8 PM on a 7 hour direct flight. The principal, Diann, had her driver pick us up at the airport. It was about an hour drive to her house. She lives in a full-on mansion! Incredible house with a pool and yard out back. We stayed with her and her family for the 2 nights. The conference was really good and I learned lots of good information on how to run a counseling program. Jen visited the elementary school and met the Art team. She was really impressed with what she saw. That night, after the conference, the middle school principal hosted a dinner reception at his house. It was terrific food with hummus, shaved meat spit, fish, etc... We ate around the pool. The next day I went back to the conference at school and Jen had a day out and about with the principal on the town. They visited the housing area, grocery stores and went for a spa massage. Then, right after the conference, we had to rush off to the airport for a red-eye back home to Korea. So, we are really happy with what we saw.


Here's part of the elementary school we will be working at. The buildings are really cool looking.














Here's the elementary pool!














Somewhere at school...















The entrance



















Whoa...a Wing Dome in Jakarta? I thought that was a Seattle chain! I like the number 7.















Inside the grocery store. It looks like they have a lot to offer.

Cheese!














Beer!














Bread!















Pasta!















Following are some pictures of the housing area we are assigned to.

















Tennis courts















Sweet looking pool































Fruit!














Most places are like duplexes















Back to the pool















Another style of house














This is at our principals house. She hosted us for 2 nights.














Jen's toes at the spa.















The principal had all this furniture made in Jakarta.