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[Vertumnus]

Back home, I was disturbed by lots of noise: gunfire, fireworks, stereos, cars, parties, church bells, drunkards, fights and, once, a riot in my apartment complex.

Here, I get disturbed by roosters that don't know when to crow, bebek with terrible mufflers, mosques (5xday), late night weddings and, during religious holidays, fireworks and parties.

I've come to the conclusion there're few places in the world where you can escape the people who are rude and inconsiderate (or righteous) enough to make lots of noise.

Thus, I've learned to not get riled up by most noises. I can sleep through the mosques' call to prayer, the roosters crowing and the late night parties. I am still working on the fireworks and bebek. If you don't allow yourself to become annoyed, then you're much more likely to be able to sleep through the disturbances.

I couldn't sleep in Bandung because of all the stupid roosters. Now, I can sleep in the house of chicken farmers and have no trouble.

Calm your mind and things will be easier....

-D

[malu]

An update to this one:

Two weeks ago myself and a posse of neighbours appealed to the village head in the kampung that borders the complex where I live and asked him to mediate with the imam of the kampung mosque.

As a result the loudspeaker that was previously pointed directly at us has now been repositioned and - so far - the kids' screeching contests have been conducted using the indoor loudspeakers only.

[Vertumnus]

[ESL Hobo]

Jeepers Malu,

Don't you feel even a little ashamed of what you and your "posse" have done?
How will the neighborhood students react when finding out?
Even using the word "posse " sounds aggressive.

Don't you think that some people in the surrounding community might be offended and decide not to send their kids to your school?

Is your complex completely non-Islam in faith?
Do you think the Imam was intentionally targeting your complex for conversion or harassment?

[laughing_magpie06]

ESL hobo, I don't get it. Surely in any civilised society the majority can respect the wishes of the minority to some degree. When muslims wake up non muslims and use loudspeakers throughout the day and night whenever they celebrate something they are showing disrespect towards everyone else who happens to live nearby. People have to sleep, work, conduct business etc and can't all put up with it. I applaud malu for what he did and hope it's the start of a bright new future.
Imagine if in the west I had muslim neigbours and got publicly drunk on my street and dressed in a 'risque' manner, how would they react? I wonder what people, including my own race, would say if my only reply was 'when in rome'.

[ESL Hobo]

hi LMP,
I am trying to keep this on the topic of how it affects teaching and school in the community.

Luckily, Indonesia is a democratic country, accepts many major religious practices and are very tolerant of foreigners.

How do think the students feel about having a "posse" show up at the village head's office? Did the posse ask politely or did they demand and assert their rights? Did the "posse" consist of all foreigners or some nationals as well?

I guess Malu will be able answer these questions.

[Shadow2009]

Dear ESL Hobo

I assume from your comments that you discuss your private affairs with your students ?

What Malu does in Malu's private life is no concern of students, parents, employers or anybody else as long as it is within the law.

[malu]

[ESL Hobo]

OK
Sounds like perhaps it was handled rather well.
After all I wasn't there and don't know all the circumstances.

Thanks for your input.

[Vertumnus]

[laughing_magpie06]

ESL hobo, are you bule or Indonesian? Why you ask? Because you would be the very first minority to say Indonesia practices racial and religious tolerance with a straight face if the former.