Lydia & I went out earlier in the day & got some chocolates. I brought some over to Eli’s house to share with her family. According to her, the meat that gets distributed has to go through the filter of the village chief / neighborhood leader (pak RT/RW).
Even though the meat is supposed to go to all poor Muslims, the local leaders often make predetermined lists of who is going to get what. Apparently it pays to be friendly with these guys, because, as Eli explains, they can be selective, and even vengeful. None of the Muslims in Eli’s kos (housing complex), including Eli & her family, are expecting to get anything. They didn’t make the list.

Later in the evening Colonel Otto threw a Christmas party at his house for embassy staff & guests. I got a batik shirt with what looks like oversized snowflakes on it (= would have been nice if someone warned me not to wear jeans! Oh well…
Beautiful home, great food, fun & interesting conversation… I was among the last to leave. I believe a few Aussies get the record tonight- it was a fun party.

Two Army FAO friends of mine are married to beautiful Filipina wives. It was interesting listening to their experiences here in Indonesia. Both of them could pass for Indonesians (and often do…) until that look of bewilderment crosses their faces when locals try to talk to them & no Indonesian comes out. (= Indeed they are weighed down with Indonesian expectations and often met with little sympathy or understanding when they try to explain that they’re, in fact, not from here. Stories are always funnier when they don’t happen to you!