Jakarta again, more Bogor

Not many updates lately as my internet has been intermittent. My plan has expired but somehow I still have access, although I have to connect 3-4 times before it goes. I've also been busy at CCROM. I've realized I only have 3 weeks left to finish the myriad of projects I'm on. I have enough work to last me through this time next year, but I'm just going to have to ax about 80% of what I could do.

I did get out of the office this week to go to Jakarta. Every time I go there it gets worse. Hotter and smoggier. As usual it was humid, 95 and like breathing two-stroke motor exhaust.

I was there for a couple meetings, one with FIELD Indonesia and another with BMKG the Indonesian weather service. The meeting with FIELD went alright. I was pretty tired from staying up to watch the semifinals so I don't remember much of this meeting. It wasn't really important for me anyway. All I really recall is that they were talking about running a climate field school where they teach the farmers to measure crab hole depths in the sand to tell when the rains are coming. At least they were on the mark when the mentioned that when they do anything with the government, they get out about half of what they paid for so they try to avoid the local officials. (smart move if my experience in Indramayu is any indication). While waiting an hour to take a train across town we sat and enjoyed the overpacked trains roll past with indonesians sitting on the roof, hanging out windows and jammed into doorways like sardines. I also took a stroll through a traditional market. They sell everything there, chicken heads, fish, furniture, toys, tissues, school supplies, car parts, you name it.

During the afternoon we met with some nice fellows from the met agency. They aren't running a too sophisticated system when it comes to climate right now, but they are expanding and getting better quickly. Climate only became one of their main missions in the past year. I got quite a bit of information from them on what they use to make their monthly and seasonal forecasts. They were also receptive to some feedback we had about how well their forecasts were making it to farmers. (hint: not well)

Later in the week the skies cleared up around bogor to expose this magnificent view. The colonel really likes it too. I never knew this mountain was there between the fog, clouds, humidity and smog, but I guess it all came together on this morning for a great view.

Front of the IPB building.

Traffic with mountian.
IPB lawn with mountain.

Stew rabbits.
This weekend I attempted to go to Puncak pass, a high elevation area with a lot of tea plantations. Despite being warned, I decided to go anyway. Bad idea. After 2 hours of sitting in the corner of a minibus interspersed with walking we gave up the mission. 2 hours of tailpipe breathing and heat exhaustion. We made it about 2 miles out of the 15 we needed too. Just too much traffic. I've never seen traffic like this, its just stopped for miles and miles. Its not an accident, its supposedly like this every day. It took me 2.5 hours to go 30 miles from jakarta to bogor a few weeks ago. Upon returning, we decided to just go to the pool. Daniel's aunt has a membership at a club, so we tried to detox there. The pool was quite nice with 2 little islands in the lagoon and a waterslide.

To get there we paid some guys who weren't doing much to take us there on their motorcycles. It cost a buck. It was pretty fun winding through the streets of bogor.

On sunday I played some soccer with the bros and hung around. Walked to the outlets that are selling super steezy jackets and pants for 20 bucks and designer jeans for $5. I might have to swing by there before I leave and stock up. The selection of everything is extensive. After that I put 2 bottles of beer on Spain and won. Thanks Ronal!