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We took a Becak back to our hotel and got ready for the day. At the time 5000RP = $AU1.00 and so 1000RP was about 20c. One trip in the Becak (Bechuk) costs about 20c and one trip in the Sudako (Soodarko) costs 20c too. [Most recent financial information suggests that 8000RP = $AU1.00]
Then it was back to the hotel to rest and get ready to visit uncles. On the way there we bought two chocolate cakes to give to each of the uncles and I also bought a selection of many Indonesian cakes from Laris which I ate on the way. The great thing about the cakes is that they don't contain any dairy. Fantastic! I had interesting conversations with both of the uncles and they seemed very ernest about the fact that divorce never happens in Batak culture (no matter how depressed the woman may be) and that if you're planning to marry someone you can't be accepted into the community unless you pay a large dowry! Thankfully I had already been warned of this. At the second uncle's place, after chatting and showing photos to him and Pak, I was called out the back to share cake and lemon flavoured toak, while talking about Western culture and customs. Christine did the translating for me. Being able to drink more of the alcoholic Toak than before I felt the affects this time and was feeling quite happy about being there! Unfortunately, like almost every place in Indonesia, mosquitoes (Yamuk) were very common, so a regime of malaria tablets was necessary. So I looked forward to getting back to my hotel where I could shut all the doors and windows and avoid them. Pak drove us back to the hotel. It was early to bed as we had our photo day at Karya to look forward to tomorrow. Medan continued |
Christine pointed out to me next morning that the arrow on the ceiling
was to help muslims find mecca when praying. So in Christian countries
there are bibles in the drawer and in muslim countries there are arrows
on the ceiling. Ria was very nice and left us to have our shower next morning
while she headed off to her tourism seminar. She also speaks good English!
The toilet contained
its own bidet. Christine demonstrated the tiny water pipe sticking out
of the centre of the toilet bowel by turning it on to show me the stream
of water for washing. The water shot out of the bowl, across the room and
splashed against the inside of the open cupboard wall! 
After
collecting some things from our room we took a Sudako to Ompung's house.
Lunch was served which was very nice, as always. We then went by Sudako
to church with Rani and Aunty Lien. Aunty Lien worked in the Sekolah (school)
canteen. Copi (Coffee) was served and I taught those who didn't know about
it the Tim Tam Suck. Then a huge storm began with lightening hitting very
close (we didn't see the strike but the flash and the sound were almost
instantaneous, very loud and bright) Suddenly Pak drove up in his car to
give us a lift. Very good timing and very nice of him.