Preparing for the last days of ramadan
This week it is standing central that next week is holiday for the Indonesians, so it is the time for the last arrangements. I did two interviews with the stakeholders responsible for the river and one with the province. Arranged thanks to my friend pak imam a professor from Unisola university. He also joined for translation and that was very handy, as he was already involved in the project so the answers are less biased.
During the week I also had an appointment with a person long involved in the project and vice rector of Unisola during the meeting he asked if I can give a presentation in which I shared my theories and my thoughts about the project. I said yes and before I knew it my name was posted in the local newspaper of Semarang a city with 1,2 million inhabitants. Felt like being in the Tubantia the newspaper commonly used in the East of the Netherlands.
In the meanwhile the construction process was also going on, With some difficulties therefore on the authority of the mayor of Semarang the construction is stopped until a commonly trusted expert gives his advice. Next week I will be the one monitoring if more difficulties occur.
For me the meeting with the mayor was interesting as it gave a clear picture of the power games going on and the political tactics to use in Indonesia. Next week will be idolf hitri in Indonesia (suikerfeest) and everything will close for a week making it difficult to get things done but we will see how that turns out.
I think being here during Ramadan is also and experience richer sometimes I join the vasting for the eating part, only having breakfast. By doing so I see how Indonesians experience those days and I understand now that in the end of the day you don`t want to much activities and your stomach also shrimps I noticed, as I don`t eat so much anymore .
On Friday I needed to hand in the keys of my motorcycle and I now I will miss it, as it really helped me getting around Semarang easily and having many appointments during the day. It was also good to have it and just stop at interesting sites.
