Category Archives: Blog

Message from Java…

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…

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Lebaran in Java…

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

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Wayang Wisdom…

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…

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Indonesia’s New President…

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…

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Shadow Puppets in Solo…

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)

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Education in Indonesia…

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)

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Election Day in Indonesia…

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…

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Who Will Win?

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

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

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A Numbers Guy…

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…

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Nirvana at Borobudur…

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…

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Birthday in Java…

Exploring Java (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

After a spirited lava drive on Mt. Merapi, my friends and I journeyed to Prambanan Temple for my birthday week-end travel bonanza…

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Let Us Eat Cake…

Birthday in Java (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

My friends in Indonesia surprised me with this delicious cake to kick off my birthday week-end in Java…

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Gamelan in Java…

Playing gamelan in Java (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

I’m feeling the gamelan love here in Java, and looking forward to a summer of playing meditative music in Indonesia…

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Waking Up in Java…

Exploring Java (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

My tiny tour guide took me to visit this Buddhist temple in Java to hear beautiful chanting at sunrise…

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