Backstreets of Bandung

I took a walk beyond the shopping areas and main streets of Bandung on Saturday, to discover how the majority of the city lives. It was both heart-wrenching and inspiring, to see how little space many of the families had to live in, and how the community is characterized by people spending time outdoors, talking.  The mood is in generally peaceful, and very social.

I also saw more of the street children who wander, eat from garbage bins, and ask for money to feed their habits. I have a friend here now involved in rehabilitating these homeless kids, and will join the effort.

 

Muay Thai in Bandung

I'm learning Muay Thai from these guys. It has some differences with Hapkido, like leading and turning, but hopefully in the next few months it will feel natural. The group is preparing for a tournament in Surabaya in December.

Service on Sunday

Here are some shots from Sunday's service in Bandung. In contrast to Malaysia, where radicals attacked or burned ten churches in 2009/10 for the use of a single word, I have found the Indonesians to be very tolerant and inclusive. They use that word openly and freely, as it should be done. I was surprised to be the only westerner at this service, having expected the opposite!

Light art portrait a la Bulb

I met some very motivated photographers here in Bandung, and plan to collaborate with them shortly on a project.

Here are some more scenes from Bandung. My favourites are of the traffic: I spent at least twenty minutes just in awe of the complexity and danger, when in fact drivers were quite patient, no one appeared anxious, and very few horns were sounded. If it weren't for the terrible fumes, I might have stayed longer on that corner.

These guys look like they're in some kind of containment area, but they're just tradesmen behind a wire fence built to keep people from crossing the street.

This guy fixing alternators really wanted me to take his picture.  He had a great attitude.

In the neighborhood close to my hotel, there are guys repairing any imaginable part of vehicles directly on the street.  It's a tough environment, but the people are very resourceful and diligent.  There are seven million inhabitants of Bandung.

This dude was, for some reason, dressed up like Che Guevara or something, driving a rickshaw (aka "cyclo, tricycle") decorated to be an imitation combat vehicle.  He stared at me but wouldn't return the greeting.  Maybe I looked like an agent; not sure.

The renowned Braga Nite Club

Lunch break in Bandung

I decided to take a walk around today to learn the neighbourhood during lunch break, and was pleased to find goats for sale on our street. You never know when you might need one.