It is Tuesday morning and Monica (dentist) and I have just finished working with a young man and his big cavity along with an abcess along the gum line. I am learning a bit of dentistry and am happily retracting cheeks, getting supplies, holding my little flashlight for extra light etc. AND I have seen some of the worst teeth of my life. This is due to a number of problems. Many of the people simply do not brush, live a long distance away and thus have no regular access to dental care, and Monica says that they collect the rain water as drinking water and that the water is acidic. She couldn't tell me the cause for that, but feels strongly that it contributes. (All the more reason to be glad for our bottled drinking water.)
However....the Western world and its packaged goods is extremely evident here. Apparently within the last five years there has been an exponential growth in beverages in plastic bottles, packaged foods of all kinds (even when we go out for fried noodles they start with Ramen noddles or similar), individual cups of water with straw etc. The problem....no recycling program and basically people do not understand that these plastic objects are not biodegradable. Apparently even some of the clinic staff at the beginning did not understand that. There also is no organized garbage collection. The result? Way too much litter everywhere and the prime disposal method is burning. We watched a man ride up to an intersection with a plastic grocery bag drop it in the pile there already and ride away. The next time we pass that intersection, the pile is burning. I do not now how they can recycle here due to lack of the infrastructure to do it and it is a huge health problem as well. We think it is even worse than where we were in Ecuador. But people are receiving instruction in composting.
A few snapshots:
Yesterday as we were eating lunch at the little cafe near the hospital we were treated to campaigning in Borneon style. Driving past was at least 100 motorcycles interspersed with a few cars and men waving madly as they passed. I am sure that was only a 10th of the number of motor bikes in this town, but it was still impressive. Evidently there is a regional election on March 24 and in a novel turn of events the man who has been the head of this area actually has some competition. He is known as the "king" of Sukadana. More on him later.
On our way to the clinic - by bike- from our new house we passed residents trashing rice in the field. A blue tarp is spread on the ground and the people cut the rice stalks, gather a few together, and then basically beat them on the tarp to release the grain. The grain is then dried, again on blue tarps, in their yards or where ever.
House companions---- and we are not even going to mention the ants which I believe are viewing with cockroaches in other parts of the world to rule. We have negated the "rule" that we would not touch cats or dogs due to concern about rabies. First that does not seem to be present here and secondly, we have a house cat that we have inherited Her name is Rakus, and she is a lover. Her favorite place is on our lap and her little heater is often too much to take. She is outside at night and when we are gone, but her radar is perfect, and she is present when we even approach the door.
Now the monkeys!! Since this house is set back farther from the road and this entire area of this village is basically a jungle like swamp except where it has been cleared for housing etc, we back lots of growing things, hence the monkeys. They love to be on the roof and since half the house has a thatched roof and the other a tin roof, it sounds like they are about to come right through. When we rush to the windows we can see then swinging through the trees. How fun this is!
Now the Toket, I need to look this up, but it is a large lizard creature, beige in color with red polka dots - really! Monica told me that they are quite expensive...around 1-2 million Rupiahs. They make an incredible loud noise and I finally found it last night hiding behind a wall hanging. I did get a picture, but when we tried to show him to Jason, one of the docs who stopped by, he was long gone. We later heard him in our bedroom, I think, but no second sighting yet
We also inherited Kinari's "helper" , Jani or yani or...who even though we still haven't met is wonderful. She cleaned the floor, washed a few clothes, ironed my blouse, but most importantly baked us bread! It is really quite good and we made toast in the frying pan. We finally managed to open the tin of butter and have jam. Talk about "fat city". I have "asked" her via the dictionary and a few written words, to buy some eggs for us. We're looking forward to eggs on toast for breakfast tomorrow.
Oh yes, the water problem is solved. evidently this happens periodically, but the respective barrels are full right now and this is great!
This afternoon I will be tagging along with a Etty and Monica, and Julia (long term volunteer who is working with reforestation) to a school in a village away from here. The plan is to exchange toothbrushes for bamboo stakes which will be used in the reforestation project Julia works with, Monica will give tooth brushing instruction, and Etty will teach about conservation. It will be interesting just to be there.
Thursday a few of us will return to Ketapang for the opening of a new orangutan rehabilitation site. Evidently they sometimes stray into farmers fields and are injured by the farmer plus other issues. So a new facility has been constructed. It will be interesting to see. Hotlin says to be prepared for lots of speeches and then we will eat. I am also hoping that there are some orangutans. Do not know how this will be staffed and it will be interesting to learn.
Remember where the delete button is everyone!
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