Articles in Sumatra
SIM Card Confusion and a Chicken Dinner
Saturday, December 12, 2015
I had a few more experiences yesterday that fit in with my theme of cross-cultural differences and how hard it is to really, truly understand how things work in other places. It began when I realized that I’d used up all the data credit I had on my Telkomsel SIM card. I’d purchased the card along with a data plan that included …
Northern Sumatra Cycling Route
View route map for Northern Sumatra Loop – Tanjungbalai-Banda Aceh on plotaroute.com
Falling Ill at Christmas and 1st Visit to Immigration
Friday, December 25, 2015
Merry Christmas to all.
I’ve been neglecting my journal lately. I guess I haven’t had anything interesting to say for a while. And then I became quite sick. It seems to be a Christmas tradition. The last time I was this sick was during the typhoon aftermath in Tacloban, and the illness struck right before Christmas. I tried to gut it out in …
Another English Class Interview Project
Saturday, December 26, 2015
My get-together with the students was okay. It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t terrible. At first, I didn’t think they were going to show up. I had sent the main organizer, Rismah, a message the day before to just touch base and let her know that I was still willing and able to do the project and that I’d be in the …
Nightmare of the Tanjungbalai Immigration Office
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Things have not gone well as far as my visa extension is concerned. In fact, it has gone horribly. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. I always have poor luck when it comes to such things.
I mentioned that the immigration office was closed on the day I went there the first time. I waited the weekend, and on Tuesday I went back. …
Crushed in a New Year’s Eve Crowd
Friday, January 1, 2016
Happy New Year. Well, the end of the year was not exactly great. I was sick a lot and then I had all the problems with my visa and immigration. I had been hoping for a better experience. But it’s not really such a big deal. I just have to wait until January 7 and then apply for my extension again. And …
Ferry Ticket Confusion
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Today is the big day. It’s time for my trip back to immigration. Two days ago, I met up with Rea, and we put together all the documents that I needed. I thought that it would be easy. She had already written my sponsorship letters on a computer and printed them out the first time. I thought we could open the files …
Tanjungbalai Immigration Office Nightmare Continues
Friday, January 8, 2016
This is the day after my momentous trip to immigration to finally get my visa extension. So the question is, “Do I have it?” The answer, not surprisingly, is “No, I do not have it.”
I went there on my bicycle as usual. This time, I didn’t arrange to arrive when they opened at 8 a.m. I’d learned that nothing happens until 9 …