Friday, November 27, 2009

Gang (pronounced "gong")

To fit 4 million people in a city approximately 10 mile by 10 miles (yeah, that is 40,000 people per square mile), it takes creative space usage. One genius innovation: the "gang" (pronounced "gong" like the musical instrument that we usually associate with China) Roads, alleys, and sidewalks are melded into one passageway. Gangs branch off the roads and weave their way through neighborhoods. Too narrow for cars but usually just wide enough for a small motorcycle, these passageways are enclosed by the walls of haphazardly positioned houses, houses which often share walls and even roofs. Many houses are accessible only through these gangs. Although its difficult to capture in a picture, here are few attempts.



Bandung Panoramics


Batak-style Houses



Good Speling

This was on the door to the men's bathroom.

Transportation

Custom, homemade motorcycle side-car

Best seats on the bus?

Monday, October 05, 2009

Do you want fries with that?

During my trip to Indonesia this past summer, I had the chance to eat a traditional Batak meal. The array of unique foods was served over a generous portion of rice. Clockwise starting at 12, you'll see potatoes and carrots along with pork chunks, curdled water buffalo milk (white), salty fish (whole), raw lake fish (yellowish color), and curdled pigs blood (reddish color). I enjoyed the taste, kept it down, kept it from running too fast through my system, and passed the test to become an "official Batak."

Saturday, September 05, 2009

Laundry

Noticing this young woman washing clothes in the ditch while the water buffalo grazed nearby, I was reminded why I enjoy the conveniences that Maytag brings to my home.