Category Archives: Blog

Message from Java…

Posted on August 2, 2014 by admin

On the road in Indonesia (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Earlier today, I passed by this graffiti for Palestine, while visiting Sufi shrines in Indonesia. Everywhere I’ve traveled in Java, I’ve witnessed protests, signs, and graffiti in support of Gaza. Since I don’t have regular internet access, I’m struggling to keep up with the news from the road…

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Lebaran in Java…

Posted on July 26, 2014 by admin

On the road in Java (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

This week-end, I decided to hit the road and explore Central Java for the busy Lebaran break in Indonesia–when the streets are jam-packed with millions of people returning to their hometowns for Eid al-Fitr. I photographed the alleyway above when I managed to escape for a moment from the crowds. Families across Indonesia will be marking the end of Ramadan with a medley of delicious holiday meals…

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Wayang Wisdom…

Posted on July 23, 2014 by admin

Wayang in Indonesia (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

While my friend was simultaneously translating Javanese dialogue into English at our shadow puppet play this week-end in Indonesia, I took a few photos of the translation screen to capture the puppeteer’s words…

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Indonesia’s New President…

Posted on July 22, 2014 by admin

Meet President Jokowi (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

I’m currently in Java watching Jokowi, Indonesia’s new president, make his first “presidential” speech on TV. Despite Jokowi’s clear win, tensions in Indonesia are still running high, after Prabowo rejected the election process as “unconstitutional” earlier this evening. Having spent the past two months studying Indonesian politics on the ground, I’m looking forward to a break from this year’s election drama–and hoping there’s no violence tomorrow in the wake of tonight’s announcement…

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Shadow Puppets in Solo…

Posted on July 22, 2014 by admin

On stage in Solo (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Getting ready to play gamelan in Solo (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

This weekend in Indonesia, I performed in a shadow puppet play about the powerful Draupadi from the Mahabharata. The gifted dhalang (puppeteer) was Ki Purbo Asmoro, with whom I last performed at Asia Society in New York. For the comedic interlude of our Sufi-inspired performance in Manhattan, Pak Purbo brought out an Obama puppet–which stole the show.

Pak Purbo’s performance this week-end in Java featured a strong, female protagonist on the hunt for justice after surviving an attempted sexual assault. Despite the intense storyline, there was still time in the play for an unrelated comic interlude–for which I joined Pak Purbo on-stage. I’m very grateful that I had the opportunity to see Pak Purbo again and perform with him on his home turf in Solo–the spiritual heart of Java…

Ramadan wayang in Solo (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Education in Indonesia…

Posted on July 19, 2014 by admin

Visiting schools in Indonesia (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

After studying the curriculum of Indonesia’s education system, I visited some local schools in Java to ask educators how the system might be improved–and even played some Indonesian children’s games in the schoolyard…

Making friends in Java (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Election Day in Indonesia…

Posted on July 9, 2014 by admin

Observing voting in Java (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

I hit the polls this morning at 7 am in Java to watch my friends cast their ballots in today’s tightly contested presidential election in Indonesia…

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Who Will Win?

Posted on July 8, 2014 by admin

Night falls on Java (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Tonight in Indonesia, we’re gearing up for tomorrow’s heated presidential election–and possible unrest…

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

A Numbers Guy…

Posted on July 3, 2014 by admin

Go Tim!

It seems like just yesterday that Tim Howard was my algebra partner back in high school–these days, however, he’s busy counting his record number of saves, and endorsement opportunities. I couldn’t be happier for Tim and all of his success–in school and on the field, he’s always been a class act…

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Nirvana at Borobudur…

Posted on July 2, 2014 by admin

Birthday trip to Borobudur (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

My birthday travel bonanza ended at the beautiful temple of Borobudur in Java. When I reached the highest level of the temple–symbolic of nirvana–I was greeted by the Islamic call to prayer echoing through the trees of the jungle below…

Posted in Blog | Comments Off