Back in the US

I'm writing from Chicago, where it is 4:30 pm Chicago time and 6:30 am Pontianak time. I've spent a total of about 20 hours on planes so far (Bali to Jakarta to Singapore to Hong Kong to Chicago) and am looking forward to only two-point-five more hours! New York, here I come.

The strangest things about coming home to the US?
First, the water fountains. Drinking water from the tap is indulgent, and I have to think twice before taking a sip.
Second, the size of people. In Asia, people are generally slimmer and smaller, I feel like I'm in an airport-ful of giants.
Third, the smells. I'd forgotten the sharp aroma of toasted bread and cheese. Yummy.
Finally, the cold. I've been freezing since leaving Singapore - despite wearing a sweatshirt, socks, long pants etc. the flights have been on the slightly shivery side, and stepping of the plane in Chicago was shocking!

Because this blog is named, Kim-in-Indonesia blog, this is the official last entry. I'll back-post about my Bali travels sometime this week. Thanks for reading!

kim

Press for TFG

Tropical Forest Group has generated some amazing press coverage regarding forests and the REDD (reduced emissions from deforestation in developing countries) during its time in Bali.

First, we sponsored a group of Balinese dancers who were featured as the front page picture in the Jakarta Post:


Second, we did a little enactment of the US stand on emissions reductions, which was photographed by AP.

And every day we've been putting up our trees (photo courtesy of JP Jewell).

Durian

It is finally durian season in Kalimantan (though my friends tell me the durian is much too expensive, I really should wait a couple weeks to buy). Thus at delegated places around the city, people are selling truckfulls of durian. Apparently buying the fruit is an art - my Indonesian friends checked out perhaps 100 different fruits before buying 6 buah (fruit). Durian should be chosen by appearance and most importantly smell. The yellower and more fragarent the fruit, the more delicious. We dragged the fruit home and opened them one at a time, tasting and exclaiming on the texture (wet or dry), sweetness (too sweet, or not enough) and acidity (many durian are a bit acid). I like durian, but I think the durian I tried in Bangkok last year was better than the local kind -- sorry Indonesia =)