As a semi-employee of the embassy, I have to register any Indonesians I hire for a quick background scan. It will be beneficial for her as well, because her name will pop up on a recommendation list after I leave. I wasn’t sure what info the security office needs, so I started with name, phone number & address. She didn’t remember her phone #, but since she lives so close, I asked if I could see where she lives, in case we need to get a hold of her for something.

She was shy about her home, as 5 people live in a 1-room, rented house the size of my bedroom (she, her husband + 3 kids). I said, having just come from Yogya & volunteering in Bantul, helping humble people dig their homes out of rubble- I was very comfortable being around small, simple homes. This place is more luxurious that what I’m used to!

That got us talking… Her husband’s income is 600,000 Rupiah/month ($66), and I just increased their household salary by 400,000 Rp/month ($44). Their rent is 350,000 Rp/mo ($35), and the whole family eats for $1-2 a day on average. And all this is a 2 minute Bajai ride away (less than 10 minute walk).

Whichever way you look at it, (opportunity to help a local family, or having a rock-star pembantu), i think having Eli around 3 days a week will be great!

Aside from getting to know our pembantu today, I was behind my computer for 90% of my day… After updating the website till 3, I was up until 11 hammering out a calendar plan for the rest of my year here. My guiding principle is to spend about 40% of my time getting out of town & traveling the countryside,,, seeing what Indonesia is really like & not just accepting what is written in books & publications. I love this job! Next project,,, bounce that calendar plan off my budget estimates to see how much of a pipe dream my travel sheet is.