Job Discussion Forums

[TEAM_PAPUA]

1 - Borobudur is NOT one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

2 - Indonesia DID NOT become independent in 1945.

[happy_me]

3. The teacher dosent know all

[Henry_Cowell]

[basiltherat]

[Demonicat]

acutally, borobadur IS considered one of the lost seven wonders of the world. Admittedly, that is a new categorization, but as it encompasses the rest of the world outside of...well, the mediteranian, I think its still pretty damn cool.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

[guruengerish]

The comment in the lead article spoke of not mentioning Independance day as other than 17-08-1945.

This always raised interesting points of discussion with my more advanced classes, as the students have always been taught that 17-08-45 IS Independance day, and they assume that the Dutch packed their bags and walked off at that time.

One student wrote of her grandmother being a member of the guerilla forces up to 1945, with no concept that the Japanese were less than enchanted about the native population wandering around with weapons.

The fact that a fierce guerilla campaign was fought until 1949 seems to have been skipped in many history lessons also. I wonder if someone at the top was trying to downplay the fact that the rakyat were capable of such actions?

For those really interested in the period following the Japanese surrender, I found Lauren van der Post's book "The Admiral's Baby" truly fascinating, as he had been asked by the Allies to try and sort things out before the Dutch were released from the prison camps.

The text was written straight after the war, but not printed until about 10 years ago.

Two scenes from his book stay with me; one was when the Japanese were about to bayonet charge van der Post's position in Bandung, and he stood up and spoke in high Japanese "requesting that the honorable officer might like to discuss things further". This saved his life.

The other scene was when he was taken by the Japanese to meet a senior British Naval officer on his ship in Jakarta harbour. His boat was heading out to a cruiser, when all the ship's guns lowered and aimed directly at him. V d Post semaphored a request to come aboard, and he was mightily relieved when the guns were raised, and he started a fruitless campaign to keep the Dutch and the Indonesians apart.

[Henry_Cowell]

In the U.S., "Independence Day" has always been July 4, 1776 -- even though the Revolutionary War lasted from 1775 until 1783.

In most countries, the date of "Independence Day" is usually the date of the proclamation of independence -- and not its actual attainment. Compare the word declaration as well (as in "Declaration of Independence").

In fact, Independence Day in Indonesian is known as "HUT (Hari Ulang Tahun) Proklamasi Kemerdekaan." Note the prominent word proklamasi.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

And it's as easy as that! - I proclaim that my apartment is an independent republic, and that my stinky gym bag is one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

I did all that in one day, and I didn't even need to quote from wikipedia

[happy_me]

Wa! nice one, no crap just chat, how nice to nsee that!!

[Henry_Cowell]

If TP's gym bag ever does become one of the seven wonders, then his proklamasi will be celebrated for decades and centuries to come (as August 17 and July 4 are today).

If it doesn't get admitted as a true wonder, then it's just another backpacker's dream.

[gugelhupf]

One of the dafter student essays I marked recently talked about Indonesia's struggle against the colonial oppressors from Holland, Britain and ... France. (Ek? Apa sih?)

I think I must have missed that history lesson at school, but I suppose it explains why there are so many Carrefour supermarkets and Cafe Ooh La La's around.

You live and learn.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

[Henry_Cowell]

Somebody who flits from country to country and brags about sexual exploits is one definition of a "backpacker." If the shoe fits, TP, be proud to wear it!

[happy_me]