Marione ..... her webjournal

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2003

Friday 31st January

This time last year, Yana and I were in a flooded Jakarta. He had just had his interview at the Australian Embassy and I was about to fly off to Singapore for a visa run. It all seems a thousand years ago. I would give anything to be able to flit over to Singapore again, but I may have to satisfy myself with Newcastle. I know it won't be quite the same.

On the news today there was a story of a terrible train derailment just out of Sydney. Eight people were killed and dozens were injured. The incident caught my attention, because on our trip to waterlogged Jakarta last year, we had narrowly avoided being involved in a train derailment ourselves. I had muttered something about lack of maintenance at the time, because the railway system was very under resourced in Indonesia, but accidents just do happen, it would seem, where-ever you are.

I opened my email today, and was so distracted by the usual clump of junk mail, that I didn't notice the posting from my friend Conchita. I no longer expected to hear from her, and had just mailed a paper letter to her good friend in Bali, asking him desperately, to tell me what had been going on. Typical isn't it. I half knew that I would hear from Conchita once the letter was popped into the post box. Had I not sent it, then I would still be waiting, no doubt.

Thursday 30th January

Last week I had casually mentioned that I intended, one day, as a treat to myself, to go into the Byron Bay Dean Alan shop and just have a good look around. The clothes in the window display looked so colourful, flowing and appealing. So you can appreciate my surprise and excitement when Sam gave me an an early birthday present, just before leaving, a gift voucher for the Dean Alan shop!

I found out that Dean Alan was a New Yorker, who loved fabrics and so regularly went to India, bought cloth, designed clothes and then exported his produce all around the world. I am not an off the peg person, and all the gorgeous women's clothing were far too small but in the men's section I found some lovely casual trousers and a very ornate shirt. Neither of which were particularly masculine. I was more than happy with my purchases.

School started in NSW today, and our little neighbour, Lorelei, had her first day at the big school. When I spoke to her she was more than happy with what she had experienced, although she hadn't done any drawings, writing or listened to a story. I would love to have known what it was that she did do, but she couldn't say. I asked what her teacher was called, and was told me that her name was Julie. I double took, have things changed so drastically in the few years that I have been out of the system, that children now call their teachers by their first name? I must ask Sam what she is called when I next ring. I am most intrigued.

Byron Bay water restrictions are going to be stepped up to level five tomorrow. Outside watering will not be permitted at all, as we are apparently in the middle of the worst drought for a hundred years. I am doing what I can to restrict my usage of water. Yesterday I scraped the ice from the freezer part of the fridge and let it melt before using it to water my plants. I felt ever so virtous .... not to mention smart.

Wednesday 29th January

I had been given a voucher for a free computer appraisal of the state of my body and attended the consultation this morning. The questionaires that I had filled in last week were crammed with dubious questions and I was sure that some of my responses would be misinterpreted. My body has been ravaged over the last few years, and there are many things that are not quite right but generally, at present, things are surprisingly good. The kinesiologist thought otherwise.

I was told that chemotherapy was drastic and destructive, so I told her that death was similarly unaccommodating. Some of my present difficulties are because of the cancer itself, as well as the chemotherapy, and are not necessarily indicative of nutritional defiencies, but she seemed to think I was being evasive and difficult. I was given the usual spiel about cancer being a response to emotional turmoil and almost felt like throwing up. I have seen a number of people in the past, and recently as well, who have had the most appalling difficulties and yet they haven't developed cancer. I really am beginning to be very tired of hearing simple rationalisations of this horrendous disease, and still feel that appropriate proof is sadly missing.

To top it off, I was told that cancer wasn't necessarily a death sentence, it was also a journey. Well thank you very much, I have always enjoyed travelling, but cancer is not a trip that I would recommend to anyone. I had difficulty restraining my anger. How can someone who does not have cancer, sit there and tell me glibly, that the scourge that has turned my life upside down is my journey? It isn't that I disagree with her, she is probably right, I have had a hell of a journey over the last three years, it was her audacity to sit there and tell me what I was going through. I am not stupid, I can see what is going on. I seethed all afternoon, but a lovely walk along the beach restored me to my usual cheerful and resilient self.

Tuesday 28th January

The quietness from yesterday spilled into today. I suppose it will take a few days before we get used to the change in circumstances, and it wasn't as though Sam was living with us. We had just got used to the spontaneous little visits that could occur at any time of the day or evening. Change is a painful thing sometimes, but it is part of life, people keep saying.

Yana hasn't had any days off this week and this situation will continue into the forseeable future. Hendri has sorted out his differences with the management of the noodle bar, but as he is heading overseas soon, he is taking the week off, as you do. I suspect he must have already saved up all the money he needs, and hence the relaxed attitude. At least Yana should have some peace and quiet for a while.

The weather has been oppressively hot. Normally we have a breeze in Suffolk Park, but not today, the air was thick, muggy and totally unmoving. Very unpleasant, but a good swim always makes a bit of a difference. I imagine that there are hundreds of places that are much more uncomfortable than here. Even Yana found it hot, and he is an Indonesian. I don't know why, but I expect people from a tropical clime to be able to cope with the high temperatures. I keep forgetting that Bandung had a relatively restrained climate.

Monday 27th January

Sammie left Byron Bay today, her car fully laden and topped with two surfboards, for her new life in Newcastle. It was a shock for all of us, nobody wanted to say or do anything, and we all wandered around in a miserable gloom. It is not the first time we have been separated, and have gone our own way, but it certainly hurt more than any previous occasion I can recall. At least I know I'll be seeing her again, so I am considerably luckier than people who have lost a child through an accident or illness, and will never see their loved one again.

All afternoon I worried about Sam's long drive south, I hoped that she was stopping regularly and that the car was behaving itself. She called after seven to say that she was a hundred kilometres from her destination, and I started to breathe a little easier. It wasn't till after eleven that she arrived, but arrived she did, I was pleased to hear.

We watched the video 'Paradise Road' yesterday, and I couldn't help thinking about it throughout the day. It was based on the true story of a group of western women who were held captive by the Japanese in Sumatra, during the Second World War. Almost half of the women eventually died, after enduring some very trying circumstances. It was a very moving film and I'll admit that my eyes were a tad wet at times.

Sunday 26th January

All the crew and helpers for the Bayu Wirawan concert at the Broken Head Hall wore superb name cards but the irony was that they didn't really need them. There was no audience. Why distinguish people when there was nobody to be distinguished from? It is a shame that the people who were responsible for publicity hadn't put quite the same effort into their task that Yana had. Then again perhaps it wasn't all their fault. Australia Day is usually a social occasion and there were any number of events on all over the community.

I had to leave the all the excitement at the concert and fill in for Yana on the community radio program. Louise is moving to Sydney so it was her last show and we tried to make the most of the occasion. Lots of lovely gamelan music was played and I tried to speak as much Indonesian as I could. The Indonesian word for artist and painting totally eluded me as I tried to talk about Heri Dono, a well known artist, and then four hours later, out of the blue, the words came back to me. Shall I say that it was a smidgen too late?

I am starting to experience major stomach pains after I eat these days. This has alarmed me considerably but is not unexpected. Three months have passed since I last had any treatment and so I imagine that the cancer is now quite advanced again. The reality of pain and discomfort is a sobering reminder that my carefree days are probably limited. The unfortunate thing is that I still have to wait two weeks to see a doctor, this being the earliest appointment that I could make.

Saturday 25th January

Yana was far too busy making name cards for the staff and crew at Sunday's concert, to waste time attending garage sales. After he had constructed his prototype on the computer, we had to buy plastic card holders, coloured card, and a stanley knife so that the final product would be as professional as possible. If it had been me I would have grabbed a texta and written the names directly on the white card that was provided with the plastic holders. But then again I always was a minimalist.

I have reconciled myself to the fact that something has happened to Conchita, as I last received a letter from her two days after she left Australia and haven't heard a word since. That was well over six weeks ago. It has been very upsetting to open my email every day and find nothing, it affects my normally cheerful disposition, but I am now so used to the situation that I am no longer surprised at the lack of correspondence. I shudder to think what the explanation is.

The 'Weekend Australian' was out and I will admit that my love affair with the paper has been resumed. It still is very right wing and I disagree completely with the political line it espouses, but I do enjoy the weekend magazine and the Review section. Phillip Adams wrote a brilliant article on what God would be say as he looked down on the earth. I imagine he will incur considerable wrath, for many people are very sensitive when it comes to religious fictions like this, but I was both impressed and highly amused. I tend to agree with Adams, as I'm sure God would be quite disgusted.

Friday 24th January

I had a lovely few hours walking around the shops in Byron. It is such a lively, interesting town and I had forgotten this. I checked out a nice little upstairs book shop that I had never visited before, chatted to Sammie while she was working at the Beach Hotel, and clarified a few geographical details for the story I am presently working on.

I popped in at the new community centre building, to see if the Northern River Writer's Centre was open, it wasn't, but noticed the most fascinating 3 panel piece of art on display just near the stairs. The work consisted of plastic debris that had been collected off local beaches over a two year period. The artist, John Dahlsen, sorted the lids, tops, cigarette lighters, parts of toys and all manner of other plastic remnants, according to colour and the total effect was amazing. I was so captivated that I had to drag Yana there later, and let him have a good look as well.

Unrest is presently pervading the Thai Noodle Bar. There has been a walkout and the twins are very unhappy. Fiona, the more sensible of the two bosses is presently away at Sydney, and the boys have refused to work till she returns. The cause of the upset? Nothing major, just a little irritation because the twins don't like being told what to do. Funny really because Yana has been subjected to bossiness from all sides, and nobody was the least bit concerned about him. He was tempted to support their strike, but sanity has prevailed, and he is presently working long hours to cover the absence of the others. It doesn't hurt for others to receive what they dish out! And Yana's bank account will no doubt benefit from the situation.

Thursday 23rd January

The Byron loves Bali group had a meeting over lunch today where they discussed the dissemination of the money that was raised last year. Initially they had hoped that Bali Hati would be able to help, but the group was so overwhelmed last year, that they had to refuse further donations. Can you imagine that? Anyhow, the money is presently gaining interest and a worthy use will be found soon. Scholarships or the payment of school fees are a possibility, as are the introduction of schemes that set people up in small business. We are simply doing our ground work first.

Tourism can be such a dangerous thing. I read today that two American girls died while visiting a waterfall in East Java. One minute they were innocently watching something of great beauty and the next, they were washed away. Very disturbing, as I have seen my share of waterfalls over the years. You see I was once married to a man who loved waterfalls. He photographed waterfalls of all shapes and sizes, the world over and would go out on little ledges and dangerous rocky outcrops. He took big risks, but survived, whereas these two girls, from what I gather, had simply been standing in a supposedly safe spot. Ironic isn't it?

My routine was a little out of kilter because of the lunch meeting, so I had my swim in the early evening. Sometimes it can be very hot at home but the minute I come past the dunes and on to the beach a cool wind starts blowing and I start twifling. I waver and wonder whether I really do want a swim after all. Today, there was no hesitation, I was hot and the weather was hot, and the swim went down a treat, even though it was after five.

Wednesday 22nd January

The days whizz past without much to distinguish them from each other. This doesn't mean that I am complaining about the writing, reading, walking and swimming that I indulge in every day, but it does make writing this journal rather difficult. There is very little of particular interest that I can comment on. Yes, the kookaburras laugh in the morning, and the sea does vary from day to day, and people seem to go here and there on their pushbikes, but nothing is really happening.

If I was in Jakarta at present I would be a lot more vocal. The city councillors of this huge, traffic choked, polluted city are presently passing a wage increase through the budget. They seem to be under the impression that they deserve the equivalent of $Aus 20,000 a month. Yes a month, I had to read that twice too. While I can appreciate that petrol, elctricity and telephone charges have gone up, there are millions of people in the country who deserve a pay increase before these fellows. Things get no better in my poor Indonesia.

It was very hot all evening. Usually things cool down marginally at night but not this time. Even with the fan squeaking away the sweat was pouring down my face. It is for this very reason that I always abandon my wig the minute I enter the house these days. Occasionally I have been caught without my hair on but I have managed to shrug my shoulders and commiserate with the poor soul. As for me, I don't have to see my face, as long as I avoid mirrors, so it doesn't worry me.

Tuesday 21st January

A very ordinary day for me, but for those who live in Iraq, it is one day closer to a war that could deliver any amount of suffering and destruction. I was horrified to see on the news that some of our troops are already heading to the middle-east. Doesn't John Howard read the papers? The UN haven't finished their work yet. Talk about trigger happy.

Yana and I intended to go somewhere and do something special, but the day passed before we got ourselves organised. Never mind, he has always got more free days coming up. Sometimes it is nice to just hang around and do nothing in particular. Our house is very basic and bare but it does seem to be feeling more like a home. I take our indolence as a good sign.

Yana called his mate Koko, in Canberra, to check whether he had been affected by the fires. Fortunately he hadn't although he did comment that the weather conditions had been very unpleasant. The two boys caught up on the latest gossip and exchanged recent experiences, as life in Australia does seem to have its moments for these fellows. It is very, very different from Indonesia.

Monday 20th January

Drizzle fell all morning, which quite pleased me and I didn't feel the least bit guilty about staying indoors. Just after lunch I enjoyed a lovely massage by a Danish girl, this being part of a Christmas present from Sam. It was absolutely superb. I do miss the regular massages I received in Indonesia. It is simply too expensive in Australia.

Tess had been food shopping and decided to treat Yana and I to some of her cooking. We didn't complain, not for one moment. Her ravioli and Caesar salad were simply delicious. We decided that she can cook for us whenever the desire takes her.

Yana and I went to see the film 8 Mile, starring Eminem, in the evening. Monday is cheap ticket day so everybody in Byron seemed to have the same plan, and the theatre was almost full. We were forced to sit in the second row from the front which gave us some very intimate contact with the film. It was well worth watching even though I might not necessarily be a rap fan.

Sunday 19th January

The bushfires in Canberra seem to have taken on the most alarming proportions. Yet our government seems hell bent on spending millions on border protection. It would seem that a lot more money should be spent on ensuring that Australians are protected in their own homes. Forget the borders. We are an island, remember!

Yana was working and so I volunteered to take his part in the community radio program. With an hour to spare after dropping him off, I visited a friend, and by the time I left, I was all talked out. And that was in English, let's not even mention Indonesian. Guests on the radio need to be outgoing and erudite, and I was far from it. I had so much trouble speaking that I started slipping some French words in by accident. Sorry!

Next door to our unit is a holiday rental house called Absolutely Fabulous. Heaven knows why, because it is extraordinarily ordinary. In fact it looks just like our home. I shudder to think how much people pay per night. Perhaps the only positive thing about it is that they allow you to take your pet. Or perhaps they don't, and the present residents have brought their two Dalmatians along, regardless.

Saturday 18th January

Xavier the fish did not respond to our treatment program. I hadn't paid a great deal of attention to him while he lived but I sure felt a lump in my throat when he died. I wasn't ready to accept his demise, and hoped that his lack of movement was just a case of suspended animation and that he would spring to life again. Unfortunately he didn't.

After a few disappointing garage sales Yana and I headed on to Brunswick Heads for the fish and chip carnival. I didn't know what to expect, and knew a lot of people looked down on the occasion, but it was really just a good old Australian woodchopping carnival with a few sideshows thrown in. Yana was fascinated, he had never seen a woodchopping competition before. I was a little horrified at the huge amount of timber that was used, but imagine that it will all contribute to somebody's winter fire. Won't it?

A good number of the axemen were quite grey haired, although there was the odd youngster to be seen as well. I was fascinated by the tin boxes all the axeman used. Inside was a rag for wiping down the wood, chalk for making marks to assist in the chopping, and at least four or five axes. The axes were all shiny and I would imagine considerable time had been expended in sharpening them to a razor like surface. Woodchopping carnivals seem to require a lot of manpower and there were at least twenty helpers preparing or removing used logs, sweeping up and performing related tasks. It was all quite fascinating.

Friday 17th January

The effects of chemotherapy are wearing off now and my hair has started to grown again. Typically enough, it seems to be growing more vigorously on my legs, than on my head. I was ultimately faced with the dilemma of do I shave or don't I. My life is full of major decision making challenges, as you can well imagine, and I eventually sided with the shaving party. I am not overly impressed with hairy legs and armpits, which oddly enough, are very prevalent in these parts.

Yana has been at work in the kitchen again. I don't know how he does it. You'd think that he had done enough cooking at work. Anyhow, some fish was fried, and then Yana astounded me by offering half to our neighbours. I don't know whether I am a greedy person or not, perhaps I am, but I was really looking forward to having a whole fish to myself. I certainly hope that they enjoyed it.

Talking of fish, Xavier, Tess' little fighting fish is not well. One of his eyes has swelled up enormously and our authority on fish matters, Sammie, was summoned to give her advice. Apparently it is a water quality related problem and he requires a salt bath. I took a bucket down to the beach with me today in readiness for the treatment program. I hope the little mite will be OK. I am not a fish person, they seem to be rather boring pets, but Tess is very fond of him.

Thursday 16th January

I knew it was vegetable market day, and that I had been trying to get there for the last few weeks, but I still made no effort to go. There was no apparent reason for my behaviour, it was just that I was happy where I was, sitting at my computer. Vegetables didn't interest me one bit.

After a week of variable weather, the high temperatures have returned. Squeaky the fan, is back in commission and I have resumed my daily swims. The sea water is quite warm now but still refreshing, and Yana and I often go down together, as he seems to be working evenings again. The beach is littered with little blue pouches, which almost look like plastic and I wonder if these are the dreaded stinging bluebottles. Perhaps I should ask someone.

Hitchhiking is very common in Byron, but I tend to pass the hikers by. At ten, I drove in to Byron to pick up Yana, it was very dark and so I didn't recognise the fellow standing on the side of the road at Suffolk Park, till I was well past him. It was Jaemy, another Indonesian, and from Bandung as well. I was sure that he would recongnise the car, so my conscience got the better of me and I pulled over. He is a nice enough fellow, but I still am not keen on picking hitchhikers at night.

Wednesday 15th January

Today was a day like all the others. There were no letters, no discoveries, no developments, no new plans, no excitement... no anything. I suspect that I am getting somewhat bored. Somewhat bored, this is obviously an understatement, I am very bored. I seem to be waiting, but what am I waiting for? Interestingly enough it is the fiftieth anniversary of the play 'Waiting for Godot'. I can relate to it ever so clearly.

Yana had worn down the soles of his old shoes and was concerned about falling on the slippery noodle bar floor. So it was shoe hunting time. We headed off to Ballina, which I am supposed to like now, and visited five or six shoe shops. Hours passed, while Yana examined shoe after shoe. He apparently couldn't find what he was looking for but seemed to have something specific in mind. Then he wanted to do another circuit of the same shops! We were not buying a house or a business, we were buying shoes. How many variations of shoes could there possibly be? I told him that I had seen enough shoes for one day and would stay in the car. A good while later he did return and with a plastic bag containing shoes. The perfect shoes, well they were a surprise, and totally different to what he seemed to be looking at.

While I was waiting in the car I indulged in a good spot of people watching. Ballina people seemed very plain and ordinary, and so were quite different to the Byron Bay hordes who tend to be young and have good bodies, or are older and dress very alternatively. I am generalising I know, but I watched a parade of overweight people, skinny legs, funny noses, jutting chins and beer bellies. As I haven't lost the weight I gained some time ago, and suspect that the Tamoxifen tablets I am currently taking are responsible for my present shape, I fit into Ballina very nicely.

Tuesday 14th January

Yana is a bit of a midnight rambler, he wanders around for hours and hours, playing music, watching movies and then falls asleep in the early hours of the morning. He then sleeps till ten or eleven. Just as well he is working evenings! I quite enjoy the quiet time when he is sleeping in, because I find I can really get into my writing.

About ten years ago in Indonesia, the ulamas from the mosques were telling the general public that computers should be avoided at all costs. They were evil. Despite the warnings, computers have become very popular. Oddly enough though, Yana tells me, the ulamas were probably right in some way for computers are being used for very suspect purposes by some. Hacking is rife, credit cards are stolen and the numbers are used for purchasing things online which are then sold cheaply, and then there is pornography. Young Indonesians have embraced porn sites with great enthusiasm. The ulamas were thinking of jins and spirits but were actually not far off the mark.

I looked forward to the arrival of the local paper, 'the Echo', but was very disappointed. I had read what was worth reading in about five minutes. There was nothing remotely interesting, exciting or newsworthy. It would seem that nothing is happening here in Byron at present. The local newspaper in Bandung always had something to catch my attention. Understandable I suppose, the population was much, much higher. Oh gosh how I miss that place!

Monday 13th January

As it was Yana's day off we agreed that we should make the most of it. Murwillumbah, was to be our destination. I had regularly passed through this pretty little town on the Tweed River when I was catching the bus to and from Brisbane, and had longed to check it out more closely. It didn't disappoint. There were some lovely little shops and we lunched at the outdoor tables which were located on the street. I was particularly disciplined and had a lentil burger which was surprisingly tasty.

Wherever we went, people were friendly. An Irish fellow in the Op shop, who spoke with the most superb brogue, asked me if I was Yana's boss. Funny really, we never get picked as being a couple! Yana replied that I was the boss of his life. I will take that as a compliment, although it could be interpreted otherwise. Then in the environment centre we spoke to a chap called Kevin, who when he is not volunteering, works as a Chinese translater. In the pet shop I had to talk most persuasively and convince Yana that we didn't need a little chick. He was all for buying one! I do miss the morning rooster calls of Indonesia, but suspect that this poor little bird would not have coped well in suburban Suffolk Park.

The day was topped off with a movie at the new Dendy complex and a takeway meal from Ka-toush middle-eastern restaurant. 'Adaptation' with Nicholas Cage and Meryl Streep, was a good film, quite different and probably a little difficult for Yana. I really felt for him, I know I battled with Indonesian films that lacked subtitles, and so I can appreciate his predicament, particularly when a film twists and turns as this one did.

Sunday 12th January

The boys were playing music at the Broken Head Hall, so I took the opportunity to catch up on some of my writing. I quite treasure these times on my own. The weather was still very inconsistent, sunny one minute, rain the next, then sunny again. I wouldn't have minded some solid rain for a good half day, but I doubt whether we'll ever get it.

Not wanting to miss out on my daily walk, I decided to risk the possibility of rain, as I'm usually fairly lucky. This time was to be the exception. All went well until I was on my return leg. I could see the rain ahead but hoped that the wind would blow it away, and initially it did. Conditions then intensified, it was little short of a blizzard, with sand stinging my face and visibility being non existent. Very nasty, and there was I last week, yearning for the Nepalese mountain passes. I can't even handle the flat Suffolk Park Beach in a rain bout!

Yana thought that he'd arranged a substitute for his radio program and so I stayed home and treated myself to a warm shower and hot cup of tea. The rain storm had been very draining. It then transpired that an Indonesian speaker had not turned up. I would have gone in to help, but thought that my presence would have been superflous. Just goes to show. You should always check before presuming.

Saturday 11th January

As it was Saturday morning, Yana and I left home, a little after nine, with the intention of visiting at least half a dozen garage sales. We started in Suffolk Park, but didn't get very far as it had started to rain quite heavily. A valiant attempt was made to continue but it just wasn't very pleasant. Visiting garage sales does seem to be a fair weather activity.

After some prospective buyers had been through our house, I had a chat with the agent. I was most perturbed to hear that her 'baby' had lung cancer. Curious, I asked how old her baby was. Fifteen she explained. I was fairly aghast, lung cancer is not a common childhood cancer, and what's more, she didn't strike me as being unduly upset. I had to know more. Then it transpired that she was talking about her dog. And there was me thinking she was talking about her son!

The evening was quite productive as I managed to write a few letters, of both of the paper and email variety. I have so many wonderful friends, who I miss terribly, and I would hate to lose contact with them. Television doesn't interest me so much these days, and I prefer to pass my time more with more useful pursuits. Sometimes it does mean that I write my webjournal while Tess is watching some awful American sitcom, but I can usually screen the noise out.

Friday 10th January

It was the second day in a row that I haven't needed to turn on the squeaky overhead fan. I had knocked it a week ago, with more damage occurring to the fan than my hand. It vibrates so much at present that we all avoid going underneath it, in case it comes loose and falls. If the fan was a propeller on a plane I would refuse to fly in it, but since it isn't, we ignore the movement and noise, and enjoy the moving air.

As it wasn't really hot enough for a swim I just went down to the beach for a nice long walk. There was barely a soul in sight, and understandably so, because there was a very nasty wind. It was almost high tide too and I had never seen the water so close to the dunes before. A poor lifeguard sat there, all forlorn with a sweater protecting his head, and surveyed his derelict beach. It must have been excrutiatingly boring for him. He had a sign up warning that the surf was dangerous, and so swimming was forbidden, but I doubt that anyone would have fancied a swim on such an unpleasant day anyhow.

We received a letter today from our local politician Don Page, welcoming us to the electorate. It was addressed to Mrs. Tessa and Marione Pennick. We had a good laugh but it isn't the first time that Tessa has been considered the significant adult in our household. The real estate agent when he organises an inspection always asks for Tessa, saying that she usually organises the key and the cleaning up. Since when, I would like to know. Am I invisible?

Thursday 9th January

I was determined to get to the farmer's market and buy fresh vegetables, but circumstances conspired against me. Not that it matters, because I quite like buying my fruit and vegetables at the caravan park, but I am curious about the quality and prices of the produce. I will have to make a more concerted effort next week.

Things have hotted up in Indonesia with numerous protests at the rise in price of utilities. Yana was very concerned about his family and friends. Believing that he will end up in Indonesia again one day, he is horrified to think what the future will bring. He wonders whether the country has to reach rock bottom, with destruction everywhere, before a real recovery can be made. It must be very painful for him.

Very regular house inspections are certainly keeping us on our toes. We have never had the house looking so tidy. With each visit, I fear the arrival of someone who will be stupid enough to pay the inflated price. I am quite happy here and don't fancy moving. A rent increase scares me as well, as we are paying a ridiculous amount as it is. Perhaps we should be doing less cleaning rather than more, in a subtle form of sabotage.

Wednesday 8th January

Yana sometimes feels that he isn't achieving much. I suppose this is because things happened so quickly when he first arrived, but have levelled out since then. I keep telling him that he has entered a time of consolidation, that things are happening but it will take time to appreciate their significance. Perhaps he is simply expecting too much. In Indonesia his life wouldn't be half so productive. Besides, electricity, fuel and telephone have all just gone up horrendously there. I wonder how the ordinary person will be able to cope, when they were not coping before. There could be major unrest in that country shortly.

My brother dropped by to spend the evening with us. Having driven from Brisbane to Coffs Harbour and then back to Byron Bay he was understandably quite tired. He still found the energy to go for a walk along the beach and then to take us all out for a meal at the Suffolk Park pub. It was very pleasant.

For the third night in a row we went off round the globe in a video watching adventure. Bolivia was our destination this time. I always meant to get to South America, but never quite got round to it, and I'm not too sure that I ever will now. This doesn't worry me, as I feel my priorities have changed anyway. I'm still greatly intrigued by the Amazon though, and feasted on the river footage that the movie provided. Perhaps movies and books will have to suffice for now. They are as close as I can expect to get.

Tuesday 7th January

The local paper 'the Echo' arrived today and I was able to catch up on the latest happenings. There was a commemorative article on Joe the aboriginal drum player who had been stabbed on Christmas Eve. He was a friend of Hendri and Hendra, and was quite an accomplished painter. On the odd occasion he had even come to the Broken Head Hall and had helped with the drums. Joe figured prominently in books, films and photographs of Byron Bay and will be missed by many.

Despite all the rain we've had recently, the water situation is still apparently quite dire. Strange really, I would have expected that it had alleviated the situation somewhat. The authorities tell us that much more rain is still needed. Tess feels sure that it must be all the tourists in the town and she swears that they are wasting the water.

The video 'Himalaya' transported us to the mountains of Nepal. It was such a beautiful film, with spectacular photography. The contrast between my ordinary life in Suffolk Park and that of the Nepalese who were taking a caravan of yaks across dangerous mountain passes was almost too much to bear. Life is very tame here, it seems to lack any bite.

Monday 6th January

As Yana had a day off, we drove into Ballina. I was determined to finally buy the printer that that had been alluding me. Ballina is not my favourite place, as you will probably have gathered but on this occasion I suggested to Yana that we drive through the eastern portion, just to check it out. We were shocked as there were some stunning beaches and very nice hilly areas. I will have to be more careful before I make rash judgements in future. There is more to Ballina than the RTA, Kmart and some tacky large stores.

The Yellow Flower, an Indian restaurant in Suffolk Park has been doing a roaring trade over the last week or two. We decided to sample their food to see what the fuss was all about. It certainly was tasty but could have been a little hotter, it was very mild. I am used to Indian food that packs a real punch, and where the sweat pours down your face.

We were in holiday mode and decided to finish the evening with a film. 'The year of living Dangerously' was among the videos we had selected. This story is a real favourite of mine and I thought that Yana would find it interesting. He did, and was surprised to learn that Soekarno, who is considered a hero by so many, was not all that concerned by the plight of the poor. He built huge monuments and set about modernising Jakarta, while thousands of his subjects barely had enough rice to eat.

Sunday 5th January

The music making at the Broken Head Hall doesn't seem to be happening these days, or if it still is, Yana hasn't been invited. In the morning, rain fell, and quite heavily at times. Hopefully it will help the water shortage. Despite the unreliable weather, Yana was keen to visit the market. I was reluctant, we have been to so many markets recently and they are always the same. With time weighing heavy on our hands we went for a drive and before I knew it, we were at the market. What a surprise! After watching very carefully where we parked the car, we wandered around for a while. Big puddles were everywhere and the market people complained of a very quiet day. Some of the regulars hadn't even turned up, and there were lots of empty spaces.

Later in the afternoon, Yana did the radio program with Louise, while I listened at home. They had a special guest, Bayu Wirawan, a jazz pianist, and he sounded an irrepressible type. Words gushed forth continously as he had a great deal to say, particularly in the area of left brain and right brain functioning. Music was supposed to be spontaneous, it should come out naturally. You can't force it, and if you try to, it just doesn't come out right. Perhaps he was on to something, because he was pretty impressive on the keyboard.

Just before daylight faded, and while Yana was at work, I went for a walk along the beach. I wasn't the only one. There were couples, and the odd solitary person scattered as far as the eye could see. I wondered whether they were thinking similar dribble to me, or were they having brilliant constructive thoughts.

Saturday 4th January

As there was no local newspaper, we didn't know if there were any garage sales, and even if there were some, we didn't know where they were located. This didn't phase Yana one bit. He opted for driving around Suffolk Park and Byron Bay until we encountered them by sheer luck. It worked, to a degree, but the sales themselves were fairly pathetic. I really don't think that a blanket covered with old clothes and one trestle table with a plate, vase and mug, really constitutes a garage sale.

There are some appalling drivers around at present. They are a danger to themselves and everyone else on the road. One stupid fool in a very flash car seemed to think that speed limits didn't apply to him, so he drove so closely that I could barely tell where my car ended and his started. I suspect he wanted to show his displeasure at my insistence on sticking to the rules. Did he really think that I might speed up? Then, with a burst of speed he decided to overtake, but on the inside, using the fringe lane. How can I teach Yana the rules of the road when so many people are disregarding them?

We had a few visitors drop by today, so the locals would seem to be returning. From all accounts the Woodford folk festival was a real success. Perhaps it is something we should consider attending next year. It is good to line up some goals for the future.

Friday 3rd January

I actually like rice these days, which is quite an admission. I certainly never liked it in the past. I even find myself craving an ordinary Indonesian meal, which is just as well because Yana has been doing a lot cooking of late. I can even eat fried noodles at ten in the morning!Being out of Indonesia for so long is obviously starting to disagree with me. There is not much that can be done about it though, we will certainly be on Australian soil for the forseeable future.

The rodeo was just a one night wonder, it had virtually disappeared without trace. All those bulls and horses, the chutes and pens, were all quickly pulled apart and taken away. Even those little cowboys, and they were little, with their big hats, had moved on. I wonder if they felt out of place among all the surfers and backpackers. It really was the meeting of two different worlds.

Yana slaves over a hot wok, Tess tends to the needs of demanding customers at the Beach Hotel and I sit quietly at my computer cheerfully tapping away. Who has the best life? I imagine that I would win hands down, there's not even a trace of stress in my daily routine.

Thursday 2nd January

For weeks Yana had barely any work and now he is starting to wonder if he has too much work. Typical really. The visiting crowds are apparently very hungry and he has been rushed off his feet. There will at least be some financial recompense for the sore arms, back and feet. Hendri has not coped well with the influx and has been yelling at the customers if not at Yana. Apparently it was not at all pleasant to observe.

Yana has been doing a lot of experimenting in our kitchen. His repertoire varies from cod in coconut milk, through fried cabbage and carrot balls, bala-bala to those who have been to West Java, and on to little bread rolls stuffed with cheese or banana. I suspect he may be planning for his escape from Hendri's frightening mood swings!

The rodeo was in town. We had to go, particularly since neither Yana or I had ever been to a rodeo before. There was a huge crowd, and from their appearance most did not look like regular rodeo attenders. Initially we were not able to watch the proceedings very clearly, but during the interval we moved to a better viewing position. It was all a lot of fun and well worth the bother.

Wednesday 1st January

All the stages had gone, signs had been taken down and the barricades had been removed by the time Yana and I drove in to Byron Bay before midday. The northbound traffic detour, quite a complicated route, was no longer operating and cars were going through the main street once again. It was rather a relief to see that everything had been returned to normal.

A quick walk around the town centre indicated that the revelling hordes were now up and about, and that a good number, particularly at the Beach Hotel, were already hitting the hardstuff again. Perhaps some had never stopped! Fancy drinking alcohol in the morning, it would only make me fall asleep.

I looked everywhere for a copy of the free weekly paper, 'the Echo', but couldn't come up with a single copy. It certainly hadn't been delivered to our house as it usually was. Hendri said that some backpackers had stolen the whole consignment because there were some free tickets inside. The man at the Tourist Information Bureau said that the papers had all gone whereas the lady in the library told me that there would be no paper this week. I felt inclined to believe her story and gave up looking any further.

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