Malang

Finally finding my way in Malang and feeling more relaxed about living here for the semester. Initially I was staying in the HELLious hotel and I mean HELL! Gee thanks Phil for recommending that place. Isn't it standard practice to make up the room daily? And what's with half a day's charge if you check out an hour late?
A few days ago I decided to take a stroll around the newer subdivisions in Malang and came across a house that, while not as elaborate as some of the others, had the usual "Terima Kos Putri" out the front and so I inquired and discovered my new home. They only rent two "twin" rooms so I offered to pay the difference and rented a room to myself. Initially I thought the second bed could be a sofa but have since discovered I need the second mattress as protection from the rock-hard bed base! I have an ensuite that is so laughable it's endearing. There's a shower (cold of course) hand basin, western toilet and the standard bak mandi. I soon discovered if I turn on the shower water sprays EVERY WHERE. So I've resorted to using the bak mandi. I must run down the very narrow stair-well to turn on the water main. No need to bother with the hand basin because not only is it not connected to the incoming water it's also not connected to the drain...found this out with a mouthful of tooth paste! ...have since bought a mug for such a purpose. The electrical system is slightly better than the plumbing. There's two power points and I own lamp, fan, water dispenser, hair dryer, mobile phone, camera battery recharger....very creative with what to use and where to plug it hahahaha.
I need to return to Yogya next week-end as my immigration papers are ready to collect. Looking forward to the trip but its a night train so once again I'll miss the sights between Malang and Yogya. The lady at the Immigration office sent me down two flights of stairs three times to have papers photocopied! When I returned puffing from the third trip I asked "is that all?" she laughed and said I need not have had the third paper copied but sent me as exercise! Who said Indonesians lack a sense of humour? She actually knew she was helping me as I need to keep a copy of my visa and hadn't made a copy for myself. She then asked which date would suit me to collect the papers, I told her I was going to Malang so she said to return when I could and ask for her, she will personally keep them so I need not worry about them being lost in the system...as things often do here. She turned out to be a great help as other students had to return on set dates. I have kept her name and number as I've met helpful people before!
I intended buying a laptop this trip and have been looking for the last few days but they're the same price as Australia and then I'll have to pay duty when I return so I'm thinking of going Indo style and using a real "note book" rather than an electronic one; besides where will I plug it in? hahaha Also there's the very real risk of a laptop being lifted...I know , you're in shock, but there are a few light fingered thieves here!
While I was waiting for Aine, my new "best friend" (her words not mine), to accompany me to look for the p.c. this lady, Su something, got chatting and I was very pleased as she is an older woman. Here mature people usually find me either a threat or are too shy to speak with me. She was so funny, she's from Salawasi, 66 years old but me thinks she's fibbing there, and had five children...one died as a child. Naturally after five minutes she asked for money, when I refused she told me I was "PELIT" which means a misery/stingy! Seeeeeeeee I AM learning new words! Aine was running late so I offered to buy Su lunch and after I'd paid for the things she took me to here house and cooked me dinner. I took her photo and offered to return with a copy, she told me not to bother....bring cash or cigarettes! What a treasure.
I didn't mean to write this much as I've not used this site before so don't know how good, or bad, it is. If it turns out easy enough to use I will keep you posted... well more posted than I have in the past!
Take care yall...Love you and HAVE FUN!