When Sun invited us to come visit her school, we really didn't know what we were getting into. We imagined that it must be nearby. So on Thursday we headed off with Sun and Nala at noon. We walked over to the Ramayana in order to catch the right micro-bus. Along the way we admired the chickens that are left during the day in cages right off the main street. It was explained to me that the chickens are owned by the guys who drive the motorcycle carts. This is a form of marketing: if you want to buy one of the chickens you just wait for the motorcycle guy to return from his last fare.
Along the way we passed under some Sprite banners. Sprite is Jacob's favorite.
We loaded onto the micro-bus and it was tight! But that was good because the ride was so bumpy and jerky that we were secure. Sun passed out candies that tasted just like Wurthers carmels.
We arrived at the village of Balimbingon and walked the 1/4 mile or so along a dusty uneven stone and dirt road to the school.
Here is Sun in front of the Express English Course school. She studied here as a young student and then did her practice teaching here.
Advertisements for the school were posted outside. These included photos of native English speakers who had visited. We assume our photos will be posted shortly.
Jacob did not fit in the desks!
Mr. Sitorus, the owner of the school, invited us for lunch. The photo includes from the right: Nala, Mr. Sitorus, Sun, Mrs. Sitorus and a grandchild and of course Jacob and Nancy. The table is set with rice, goldfish and other goodies!
The goldfish was actually quite delicious although Nancy was grossed out. It wasn't like we were eating monkey brains or anything....
One of the grandsons, Frans, joined us for an introduction.
The youngest students waited in a classroom at the end of the passageway.
Our lunch was served at the opposite end of the passageway. We first went to the primary student class. Note Jacob getting ready to duck through the doorway.
The family was drying home grown corn in the passageway.
These are the primary students, who were studying the human bone structure. There were three text books for the entire class. We have not seen many text books during our time in Indonesia.
This is the classroom for junior high and senior high school students. The students came from all faiths.
This is the front wall of the class room, including a rudimentary white board. Basic English grammar is outlined.
Mr. Sitorus brought out his old guitar and Jacob, after working on his fingering for a little while, figured out how to use his 4-string ukulele technique on a 6-string guitar. Amazing!
Who says he's not Justin Bieber? Of course we all know that Jacob is more talented than that other guy. He first played a few verses of "Old Susanna" and then came up with a stirring rendition of "I'm a Believer", most lately from Shrek. Note the girls with their camera/phones!
Mr. Sitorus enjoyed the performance. I bet he wishes Jacob would visit every day!
Then Mr. Sitorus gave a performance of his own, singing a sentimental song about calling his mom to tell her he is fine. Sun provided backup vocals on a few verses.
Here we are outside the school for one of many shots with the darling children.
Not all the kids were brave enough to pose with us. But the older girls weren't that shy.
Of course the girls really wanted to have their picture taken with Jacob, not use, and with their camera/phones so they could send them instantly to their friends.
After school was over, we all walked together back to the main road.
We are used to being stared at and this was just another time for us to attract attention.
We gathered for one last family portrait before boarding the high speed micro-bus back to Siantar. I'm not sure if all four wheels were on the pavement, it was moving so fast.
We stopped for gas and I took a few photos. The oil supply was well displayed but the inventory was limited. I was taking every more shots when the attendants started yelling at me. I thought they wanted their picture taken so I shot more. Then they pointed to the "No photo" sign. I jumped back in the micro-bus quickly.
I was curious about our speed so I looked over the shoulder of the driver and discovered that the speedometer did not work. Instead a Rolling Stones sticker was decorating the dial. We learned that there is no enforced speed limit in Indonesia.
We stumbled out of the micro-bus, safely back at the Ramayana. This motorcycle driver wanted me to take his photo and I'm all about keeping the locals happy.
Along the way we passed under some Sprite banners. Sprite is Jacob's favorite.
We loaded onto the micro-bus and it was tight! But that was good because the ride was so bumpy and jerky that we were secure. Sun passed out candies that tasted just like Wurthers carmels.
We arrived at the village of Balimbingon and walked the 1/4 mile or so along a dusty uneven stone and dirt road to the school.
Here is Sun in front of the Express English Course school. She studied here as a young student and then did her practice teaching here.
Advertisements for the school were posted outside. These included photos of native English speakers who had visited. We assume our photos will be posted shortly.
Jacob did not fit in the desks!
Mr. Sitorus, the owner of the school, invited us for lunch. The photo includes from the right: Nala, Mr. Sitorus, Sun, Mrs. Sitorus and a grandchild and of course Jacob and Nancy. The table is set with rice, goldfish and other goodies!
The goldfish was actually quite delicious although Nancy was grossed out. It wasn't like we were eating monkey brains or anything....
One of the grandsons, Frans, joined us for an introduction.
The youngest students waited in a classroom at the end of the passageway.
Our lunch was served at the opposite end of the passageway. We first went to the primary student class. Note Jacob getting ready to duck through the doorway.
The family was drying home grown corn in the passageway.
These are the primary students, who were studying the human bone structure. There were three text books for the entire class. We have not seen many text books during our time in Indonesia.
This is the classroom for junior high and senior high school students. The students came from all faiths.
This is the front wall of the class room, including a rudimentary white board. Basic English grammar is outlined.
Mr. Sitorus brought out his old guitar and Jacob, after working on his fingering for a little while, figured out how to use his 4-string ukulele technique on a 6-string guitar. Amazing!
Who says he's not Justin Bieber? Of course we all know that Jacob is more talented than that other guy. He first played a few verses of "Old Susanna" and then came up with a stirring rendition of "I'm a Believer", most lately from Shrek. Note the girls with their camera/phones!
Mr. Sitorus enjoyed the performance. I bet he wishes Jacob would visit every day!
Then Mr. Sitorus gave a performance of his own, singing a sentimental song about calling his mom to tell her he is fine. Sun provided backup vocals on a few verses.
Here we are outside the school for one of many shots with the darling children.
Not all the kids were brave enough to pose with us. But the older girls weren't that shy.
Of course the girls really wanted to have their picture taken with Jacob, not use, and with their camera/phones so they could send them instantly to their friends.
After school was over, we all walked together back to the main road.
We are used to being stared at and this was just another time for us to attract attention.
We gathered for one last family portrait before boarding the high speed micro-bus back to Siantar. I'm not sure if all four wheels were on the pavement, it was moving so fast.
We stopped for gas and I took a few photos. The oil supply was well displayed but the inventory was limited. I was taking every more shots when the attendants started yelling at me. I thought they wanted their picture taken so I shot more. Then they pointed to the "No photo" sign. I jumped back in the micro-bus quickly.
I was curious about our speed so I looked over the shoulder of the driver and discovered that the speedometer did not work. Instead a Rolling Stones sticker was decorating the dial. We learned that there is no enforced speed limit in Indonesia.
We stumbled out of the micro-bus, safely back at the Ramayana. This motorcycle driver wanted me to take his photo and I'm all about keeping the locals happy.
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