morning blog

7/2/11 So here we are in Yogyakarta, it is quite surreal! Neither of us felt like we were actually going somewhere or were overseas until we hit Yogya, or until Yogya hit us.  Motorbikes & becaks, graffiti & beggars is what we took in the most to begin with. Along with the hustle. It is handy to be able to say no and barter in Indonesian. Sometimes they looked suprised or mockingly, other smile. Either way the conversation will continue until they trump me with either their language going too fast for my head or the words being ouside of what I remember.  I got in with a 30 day visa & a big headache, I have been stressing about the visa. Today we're going to the Office of Immigration to try to get it extended to a 60 day visa. Apparently it is easy according to the Immigration officer at the airport. They didn't even ask for proof to leave the country, so that 50 dollar flight to Singapore in March probably was a waste. It puts me more at ease to know I am staying for a couple of months to begin with. What I am going to do with those months is another story. This city seems difficult to get around on foot. The biggest obstacle is a crazy huge roundabout at the start of the road that the huge, amazing University Gadjah Mada is on. It is intense, we gave up after about 5 or so minutes just watching the traffic. Got onto a becak & he just peddled right into the middle of it. They stop ofcourse.  Ben has changed his mind about getting a bike or motorbike over here! We haven't seen Mt merapi from here yet as there have been too many clouds but apparently it is easy to see from UGM (University Gadjah Mada).  We have been adventurous diners, yesterday at KL airport we ordered an Asam Laksa, apparently with a 'little bit' of salmon in it. It was just salmon slop with some grotty noodles but we both got through at least half. This morning we were joined for breakfast by a little kitty who we were both hoping wouldn't be as playful & get scratchy with his rabies.  Tomorrow is Chinese New Year (or today?) and we are excited to be here for that. The internet here  is sooooooo slow...