It is Ramadan here, a Muslim holiday that is comparable to the Christian Lent. It is a month of fasting that culminates in the biggest Muslim holiday of the year, Idul Fitri (known in most other cultures as Eid). On the first day of the fast, the local mosques were full as we walked through our neighborhood, with piles of shoes outside and worshipers prostrating themselves inside. The devout don't eat or drink during the day, with strict adherents even avoiding swallowing the

We've mentioned my (Kacie's) long sleeves, but me wearing long sleeves isn't really for the cold, it's more to try to fit into local standards of modest dress. It's a little bit of a trick to figure out what is appropriate! I have lived here before, but imagine moving to the US and assuming that the dress standards were the same as the last time you lived there in the late 80's?? Hello shoulder pads! It's also easy to closely observe one part of society and not realize that t

A friend saw my husband's instgram of me washing the dishes on our back porch and wondered what the temperature was that would have me wearing long sleeves. The locals I talk to would explain that Salatiga is cold and so long sleeves are necessary. Today an office worker saw that Elly's nose was running and commented that the local cold weather must be too much for her. Another woman saw Judah crying after I stopped him playing in the rain and commented that he must be crying

In the first days in another culture, our focus is first on the necessities and just getting by. We are trying to be fed, clothed, semi-clean, and legal! In the midst of it there are small victories and some losses that we take as learning experiences. So, in the first week we successfully: Figured out a ventilation system for our house (and bought fans!) so that we are not overpowered by the heat Rode local taxis into town Called and hired a private taxi when we needed to go