Job Discussion Forums

[meaconing]

I spent about four hours today trying to wade through google:
+makassar
+makassar +ESL
+makassar +expat
+makassar +expat +teach
+etc +etc +etc
(and then replacing Makassar with Ujung Pandang for each iteration)

I think myself fairly well schooled in terms of navigating a search engine, and I still found squat. The city is supposed to have 1.2 million people, and yet I found some people calling it a "quaint fishing village." Some said it was dusty, hot, and boring. Some claimed that there wasn't "anything but a KFC" (not that I'm looking for a KFC) "and only one movie house with THX" (no Matrix Reloaded, thank the heavens). I found about 50 pictures, most of the horizon over the ocean, and one of a smiling fellow in a tuk-tuk looking motorbike.

I'm coming up empty.

I did find evidence of an English First there; I don't want to re-delve into the EF Is Wretched vs. EF Isn't So Bad argument which I saw on other threads, but has anyone worked there? So long as they've got a black/white board, I'm okay. Pay isn't a big deal, as my wife has a cushy job with the State Dept.

Other than this, has anyone been there? Is it wretched? Is it boring but non-evil?

Are there many opportunities for private tutoring? I've got my cred on - an M.A. - will it matter?

Any and all info would be most appreciated, as I've grown tired of google.

[tarastwilight]

Hi,

I lived and worked in Makassar, or Ujung Pandang as it was still known then, about three years ago, and keep contact with some of the locals there.

You will indeed find zero information on the internet, as tourism in Makassar is virtually non-existant. It is not like Java, Bali or even other parts of Sulawesi (Manado or Tanah Toraja). It is an Indonesian city for Indonesians, although there are a number of expats there, mainly Australians.

It is not a quaint fishing village by any stretch of the imagination, although seafood is very cheap as it is a fishing port.

Pollution is quite low for Indonesia, getting around Makassar is not too uch of a problem with a little practice. Becaks abound, as do pete-pete's (the small public buses)

As I am aware, there is one KFC, one Pizza Hut and a big, cheap international cinema and a poxy, yucky one no-one would go to.

A few nightclubs, much like any nightclub ...... beer available everywhere (warm with ice, the usual for Indonesia) .... one large international hotel (Sedona) with excellent and outrageously expensive food if you are paid in rupiah. Pantai Losari .. the main stretch of (filthy) beach becomes a kilometre(s) long restaurant every night ..... local food is cheap and good. I never had a problem with stomach bugs. The wate cannot be drunk, as you would expect.

It wasn't a bad place really but indeed could be boring unless you make friends. Tourists are not that common, although many come through Makassar on their way to somewhere else. You will be swamped with people trying to practice their English on you. Everyone will call you "Mister" whether you are male or female.

You can get all European foods, cheeses etc at one of the supermarkets, and bad local scotch. Imported alcohol is available, but costs an arm and leg.

If you don't speak Indonesian, I suggest you learn. Not many people on the street speak English other than the inevitable "mister" "good morning" (at all times of day and night) The local lingo is difficult to learn. I speak Indonesian fluently, and did fine with most people expect some of the becak drivers and older people.

Anything else you'd like to know?

[guruengerish]

I was in Ujung Pandang for two years some time back. There were no guide books at all in English, and all expats were given a photo copy of a 1930s Dutch handbook!

Nowadays, Lonley Planet has it well covered, and I'd suggested you choose the one on Indonesia, as I don't thin k there is a specific one for Sulawesi yet.

The wet season can be pretty boring, but in the dry, we went out to the islands for snorkelling, and I made a number of trips up to Menado for diving, some of the best in the world. Look up Nusantara Diving Centre, although there are now others there.

As mentioned by others, Toraja is interesting, and you could spend a week there with a good guide, visiting villages, and it's cool enough to want to walk, at least downhill!

The Bugis and Makassarese in Makassar are fairly blunt and outspoken, but I never had a problem.

Avoid housing inland, as it gets very hot there. Something nearer the sea and you'll get good sea breezes. Great sea food restaurants - maybe the 'Kepiting' (Crab) is still there.

The Makassar Hash House Harriers used to be quite active, and that's always good for a fun run and to meet locals and expats and have a few pleasant social activities.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

Check your contract with EF - your so-called personal holidays MUST be taken at the end of your contract!!!! And the salary stinks.


T_P

[Salam]

Hey is that with all EF's or just that one?

So it's not really holiday time at all, it's just getting off early?

What do you do if you need to take time off?
(eg. death in the family - fly back to australia for a few days)

[Salam]

Anyone know what other schools are like with things like this?

eg. Death/major incident in the family, need to be gone for three days next week. Cover for me?

Or are they pretty hard about that sort of thing?

These are not things that should be common, please don't get me wrong - just want to know if something bad should happen that I can take a few days off to come home and sort it out/take part in funeral/make arrangements/etc.

[AsiaTraveller]

Periplus has published two in-depth guides to Sulawesi:

Periplus Adventure Guide: Sulawesi (by Volkman, Caldwell, and Oey), 2000.

Periplus Travel Guide: Sulawesi (by Pickell and Cooper, most likely out-of-print but probably available used on Amazon), 1995.

Several chapters on Makassar at the beginning of each volume will give you some introductory survey information and history.

[AsiaTraveller]

Why ask me that question? How do I know if there's an e-book version?? Check on the Internet.

When you're in Indonesia, you won't have people to rely on for all your information and spur-of-the-moment questions. Learn to google for everything. You'll find things you never expected.

[AsiaTraveller]

wrong "again"???

And a simple "Thank you!" will go a long way toward getting you more information. Just a hint...

[AsiaTraveller]

Defensiveness will go a LONG way to help you settle in as a "non-tourist" when you live in Asia.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

It's nice to be nice - I guess that people get a little tired of being asked the same questions over and over again, then having no thanks for providing information: like it's our duty/obligation.

I've done it before: lengthy texts as PMs with internet links and contacts & no thanks at all.

T_P

[opo]

Kia your alittle hi stong, people are tryin to help ya. You won't last long in Indo if you don't chill right out.

[AsiaTraveller]

Oh what I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall the first time Mr Kia experiences the racism, bad manners, rudeness, silence, anger, sullenness, or ridicule that all of us have experienced (no matter how frequently or infrequently) when living abroad.

How will this "citizen of the world" and "culturalist" [sic] respond when he asks an exasperating or ridiculous question and somebody laughs at him, yells at him, or simply doesn't answer?

Will he respond with a serene "I love you, brother" and a hug?

Or will he respond with a high-strong [sic] "Just don't try to antagonize me"?

The ESL Cafe is actually good practice for him.

[AsiaTraveller]

[mr.bojangles]

and I thought I was a drama queen!