In response to Janet's post..

That's right. I wipe my butt with my left hand and some water after pooping into a hole. So what.

Janet brings TP to the cafeteria to use the only non-squat toilet. She's stuck in her Western ways!

And to clarify about our volunteering activities.. No, mom, we're not rescuing animals. While it sounds glamorous, there is really no use for for unskilled Westerners who aren't veterinarians or biologists and can't even speak the local language. We're working and staying at the Petungsewu Wildlife Education Center (P-WEC), which is set up by ProFauna to educate the locals about wildlife protection and conservation. Indonesia is home many exotic, endangered species and tropical rainforests (which are quickly being deforested), and P-WEC is focused on raising awareness of conservation issues as well as interest in nature.

Our duties include helping to create educational materials to improve the center (i.e., signs and displays like the footprints Janet talked about), as well as reaching out to the local communities. We've taught a couple of classes in local Islamic schools, teaching the children what an ecosystem is, the important distinction between domestic animals and wildlife, and letting them know about new convervation regulations put into effect by their Desa (group of villages). We've also talked to "Fauna Club" highschool students who came to P-WEC, and ProFauna supporters (local volunteers that show up for protests) to help motivate them and show that the Indonesia convervation issue is of international importance.

And no, I'm not a savant, and I can't speak Indonesian. But I can order a cup of coffee very politely! ("Selamat pagi. Bisa saya minta kopi satu. Terima kasih." - Literally: - "Good morning. May I ask for one cup of coffee? Thank you.")

ALSO, sorry for the lack of pictures. Neither of us have the patience to upload them at the moment with the internet being this slow. Maybe next week!