Russell and Eileen's Church Missions: CHRISTMAS EVE CRUISE

For Christmas Eve we decided to go up to the Old Harbor in Jakarta otherwise known as Sunda Kelapa. Two miracles in Jakarta occured that day. First there were plenty of cabs in front of our apartment and then there was no traffic on the way there. Unless you have been in traffic for hours just to go a couple of miles you wouldn't understand how exilirating it is to actually get on a freeway and go 40-50 mph. It was wonderful! The harbor was full of old ships, many that were wooden. Men were working barefoot loading and unloading boats. Some of the street was flooded from the previous night's thunderstorms so we weren't able to walk to the end of the harbor. We decided instead to take a "harbor cruise". I (Eileen) had read on the internet that the cost should be about 25,000-40,000 Rp. We found an available boat and the man said he would take us for 50,000. I immediately offered 25,000. He shot back with 30,000. This is approximately $3 which we thought was fair since he was bailing water out of the boat as we approached. The 4 of us and the "captain" climbed in and he rowed us around the harbor for a little while. He wasn't a big or musclely man, and we aren't dainty Americans, so I am sure it took him quite a bit of effort. When we got off the boat Russell gave him 50,000 Rp. and thanked him for bartering with me. Bartering is a favorite thing of mine to do. Then Elder Beaman gave him another 20,000 Rp. as a tip. By this time I am sure the man was totally confused. He was willing to take us for $3 and ended up with $7. Merry Christmas!

After the harbor we went to the fish market. If any of you have watched the Amazing Race this year, apparently they went to Surabaya, Indonesia and visited the fish market there. Now we have a sniff of what they went through. The market REEKED!!!! There was an abundance of assorted fish and shellfish. Due in part to the flooded streets, we didn't get out and buy any fish but instead enjoyed the view from our taxi.

Christmas Eve we enjoyed a sumptuous buffet at a 5 star hotel close to our apartment. (Why didn't we learn about this earlier?) There was even a beautiful Christmas tree in the fouyer. There was an attempt made by some young people to sing Christmas carols in English. I was really looking forward to the carols. In retrospect I guess it might be like taking a group of young people from America and having them try to replicate the Muslim call to prayer. It wasn't quite what we expected, however there was a noble attempt made.