Yesterday A.M. Shane and I headed to the market (pasar) to buy our vegetables and to give out pictures we had taken on one of our excursions. It was quite scary and intimidating. (How much do you bargain? Boy they sure look busy.. When do I step in and tell her what I want?) I just kind of watched and listened for their questions of what I wanted. Ladies were tickled with the pictures and I think we even succeeded in allowing one woman in the meat market section to take a picture because the lady in the picture wasn't there... Oh, dear. :) I also wanted to buy some baskets ...
....for my onions, garlic, leaves, and roots with it being so damp here, things mold so easily. We talked and bargained with sellers, laughed and enjoyed a hug even. (Long green pods are called 'pete' with the stress on the last 'e.') Buying and eating 'pete' as seemed to be quite a discussion item! It is something that the Javanese love. I picked up a few recipe's for them from a random lady at the pasar who we passed, and the ladies after the RT New Years Eve party.)
An Indonesian mat, that is almost a must here. :) We finally bought one. :)
Fruit.. mango (manggo), a type of orange (jeruk), watermelon (semokok), and guava (jambu biji merah).
The night before we had gotten an invitation (undangan) to our RT New Year's party. After coming home from the market, soaking my veggies in bleach, setting them out to dry, and pasturizing our new two bottles of milk, I bravely headed next door where they were setting up for the party. I wanted to help cook if there were any ladies who were cooking yet. Three kids were enlisted to take me back a teeny tiney path and to the back door of a very humble home. Upon saying my greeting and peering around the corner, I was warmly accepted into the kitchen. There didn't seem to be a problem in finding me a job and I sat happily on the floor, watching all that was going on, cutting the freshly cooked 'omeletes' into 8 wedges. I was there for an hour and a half, 'talking' and answering questions put to me as best I could.
The evening party was to start at 7:30, but got started late as usual. :) Shane greeted the men standing around, I stayed back a bit to shake hands when they were done. I sad down by the young greeters, and waited for one of the ladies to go into the kitchen to help.
More ladies started showing up at about 8, and my friend showed me back to the back. The men sat in the front room....
...and the ladies sat in a back room.
My friend had us go in the kitchen after we had greeted the ladies already in the room and the serving of the food began. We cleaned off the bowls, and after some younger girls joined us, we began scooping up rice and stacking them for my friend to add the toppings.
Girls in the back part of the house cleaned glasses and poured the sweet tea.
About when the food was ready, they began more of a program. I was quickly told to go get some pictures and they pointed me off in the direction of the best angle. :) The old RT gave a long speech, then gave a gift to the new RT (just changed 2 weeks ago).
The old RT's wife also recieved gifts.
An older gentleman, who I am not sure of, talked to both RT's. His speech was quite interesting - especially at one point telling the teens and young adults that they needed to be home by 9, not just hanging out on the street. He then talked to the parents about disciplining, and being good parents. (Atleast I think that is what I picked up.... :) )
When this was done, the food was passed out...
..and with that finished, we all ate. Again it was good to sit back with the ladies and teens who had helped, finishing up with the cooking ladies in the kitchen chit-chatting. I appreciated their willingness to let me help (They accepted it quickly, not telling me I didn't have to, probably because I was a white person and not of their status.)
I am thankful for this gift from God. It has been a big encouragement to me.
We have not gone to our neighbors yet, although we tried to visit our landlord the other day and he was taking a nap. I plan to make some sweet bread like the Whatley Christmas Wreath and take to our immediate neighbors. (That can be atleast 3 houses from you on either side and those across the street..) I hope that yesterday and making and taking bread will continue to help us feel like we are a part of this neighborhood.
(Food is usually given in little boxes. :) So... I bought some boxes and put them together, ready for me to make the sweet bread.)
I'd appreciate your prayers and we continue to try to build relationships, and wisdom when money is asked of us.
Oh - "Happy New Year!" We brought in the New Year at the Walles'. :)
