Motor Bikes & Indonesian TV

I took my first motor bike ride yesterday, thanks to Romang. He offered to drive me from the university back to the ICRS house since I was loaded down with books and a computer. Transportation by way of motor bike is by far the most common way of getting around in Yogya. While I would not consider Yogya an Asian mega-city, it is large and not all that walker-friendly. In fact, I see very few Indonesians walking around Yogya. Most mornings we walk from the ICRS house to the university (takes about 10 minutes) and we are the only ones walking. I am certain that as the locals pass us on their motor bikes they are thinking we are the "crazy Americans." So, to say I have been on a motor bike is like a right-of-passage in Yogya culture.

The ICRS house is home to the 7 Luce exchange students as well as 4 Indonesian students entering the PhD program at ICRS. The Indonesians are taking an intensive English course this summer and they have the opportunity to practice their English with all of us native speakers in the house. So, last night some of us were watching TV downstairs in the large living area. During the commerical breaks I was interested in seeing what type of products/services were being advertised on the Indonesian circuit. Much of the content is simliar to that in the U.S. - food and grocery, beauty products, etc (no car commercials, ironically). One beauty product commercial was advertising skin whitening lotion. In Indonesia women seek to have lighter skin so they buy whitening lotion or visit the spa for a whitening treatment. Culturally, lighter skin is considered more beautiful, at least in the large cities. I found this interesting since in the U.S. the exact opposite is true.

Seeing this commercial for skin whitening lotion prompted a discussion (in English) between myself and Tri, one of the Indonesian students. He explained to me how lighter skin was valued and I told him how tan skin was attractive in the States. In fact, I think he learned a few new English words....like sunless tanner and tanning bed. He laughed when I explained the tanning bed.

I have been enjoying my conversations with the Indonesian students; they contribute so much to my learning of the local culture and I am truly impressed with their skills in the English language.