The Rainbow Ninjas of the Volcano

A hiking trip to the Tangkubanparahu Volcano was one of the 4 outings yearned for by Asia Source II participants. More than half of the camp population joined the group and made its more than 4-hour trip to Bandung, Indonesia aboard two buses

Our bus was noise-filled with the usual pranks that each of us played on the others. Marvin and I were funny victims and so was a sleeping Fouad who got a "political" kiss from butty Jagadeesh. No one dared to sleep after this. Myra was targeted as the virgin to be sacrificed in a volcanic ritual.

Hours later, rows of pine trees, a sloping terrain, a sudden drop in surrounding temperature, a drizzle, and thick fog welcomed us. The sulfuric stench told us that we were at the crater lip of an active volcano, which last erupted in 1983.

A horde of vendors greeted us and repeatedly tried selling their wares to us tourists - rabbit skin bags and hats, local handicrafts, and these multi-colored flexible ala-Barbie ninja toys. I have a penchant to collect novelties and I have stopped myself otherwise I end up buying all of them. I just took a good photo of it.

I knew ninjas are of Japanese origin but are there Indonesian ones? Checking Wikipedia.org or a wild Google search did not turn up a convincing link. Anyway, I found this ninja "criteria" in an Asian cinema website that states that "in sum, to be considered a ninja, as we understand it through popular entertainment and modern ninjutsu masters, a ninja must: practice the art of concealment, engage in covert military operations, belong to a secret fraternity of ninja, wear black, and lots of it."

Hmmm... are my FOSSy friends resemble ninjas? I don't think so. Firstly, they don't conceal anything (it's open source); they don't engage in covert operations (it's a community for everybody, but some of them can be from the "friendly forces", too; there's never a secret fraternity (Track 5 members are no secret at all); and oh, they do wear black but it's more of a fashion statement. And lots of it? Yes, lots of fun and sharing. So there can't be no FOSS ninjas among my friends in Asia Source II.

How about being rainbow-colored ninjas? Rainbow-colored my friends are! True-blooded ninjas, I rather not. A teenage mutant turtle, perhaps. Miss you all, my AS2 Friends!

Leaping Forward: The Frog Treats of Indonesia

Frog lunch photos courtesy of Y.B. Agusnugroho.

Do you know that the largest supplier of frog legs to Europe is Indonesia? And I have eaten some of them. In Indonesia, where else?

That fateful day was during one rainy lunch when Agus with wife Ticky and daughter Karen brought me to Mangga Dua for shopping. Agus promised me a surprise and a surprise I did get! I had my very first taste of frog legs. "Swike" is how they call the dish in Indonesia. More details in Agus' blog.

The other frogs you see here are the ones who will join my growing frog collectibles. The one below I bought during our Bandung outing while we were hiking down the volcano hot springs and the one above, I got from the Duty Free store in Hatta-Soekarno International Airport before I boarded my flight on my way home. I really thought I won't be able to bring home a frog from Indonesia because I can't find one since I arrived there. Well, it's not only these frogs I'll be bringing home with me but also the experience of having some of the real ones inside me. Hmmm...

What an interesting way my frog interest has leapt forward! A gastronomic treat it was. Thanks Agus for the treat! So friends, let's move on, or rather, let's leap forward from here.

One Moment in Time... (soon!)

Life is Like One Chicken's Balancing Wire Act

It has been quite some time when I last saw a chicken perched atop a tree to roost. That's why when I saw this chicken balanced precariously on a wire like a bird, I cannot stop myself taking its picture.

I would say the same with life in the camp. I went to Asia Source II with not much expectations, that is, thinking it would be another of those training seminars I have attended in the past. Oh, how very wrong I was. Asia Source II is one experience to remember. Forever...

Life in the Asia Source II was a balance of sorts. Achieving this was primarily through RESPECT - a must in the camp. In fact, there was a conscious effort on my part to strike a balance between me and the new friends that I made. Observing them across different languages, gestures, and behaviors was a challenge I was willing to take. There was no space for indifference nor any reason to offend. But again, a balance must exist on everything that was being said and done. Doing so was very rewarding indeed. It gave me more than 100 wonderful new friends in two weeks.

To "chicken out" means to withdraw or to back out or plainly being scared. But that chicken on the wire did not "chicken out." Instead, it bravely viewed life below while balancing itself. Otherwise, it may never see it at all.

So my dear new friends, let's balance our lives and live long.

Objects of Affection

Asia Source II brought with it so many memories. People and places, sounds and sights, and a lot more.

I am very happy to have received from some AS2 participants an assortment of souvenirs from their countries - a batik shirt, a wooden jewelry box, a rubber wristband, a bamboo flute, coins, green maps and stamps. Of course, the rose.

Each one has its own unique story behind it.

Though they came in squares and circles, plains and prints, and in distinct sounds and scents, they remind me of only one important thing - friendships that were made and friendships to be remembered and nurtured.

Maraming salamat! (Many thanks!)

Feeding Our Friendships and Common Interests

Events bring people together... familiar... closer. But events end and we say goodbye and go home. Nope, we rather say, "see you again soon."

Going back to events, they come in myriad forms - conferences and fora, musicals and dances, trainings and yes, camps. I can and will never forget one camp - Asia Source II.

Asia Source II is a camp of love and freedom. People came from different nations - of different cultures, of different beliefs and yet, people are united with one common interest - Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) - and a multitude of plans for a more progressive world.

"Veni, vidi, vici", exclaimed by Julius Ceasar in 47 BC for his victory. I came, I saw, I conquered was what I felt exactly. I was given this great opportunity to attend and I came. I saw for myself the individuals who now are my tutors and my friends. I was able to conquer my own fears and apprehensions to be part of a greater truth and make a big difference in the lives of everyone within my reach. Geographical borders will not put a stop to my reaching out to others. My involvement has narrowed my personal digital divide and has become a growing crusade to do it for others, too. Empowerment at its best!

I have gone home but not alone. I now have a world of friends. And what does food have to do with this? Well, good food nourishes our bodies. We meet our friends in food places. We enjoy each other's company with food around.

So, what's my point then? Yes, food like knowledge can be enjoyed at its fullest only if it is shared among friends. Then, it totally nourishes not only the body but also the spirit.

Have food, anyone?

If the Shoe Fits Not - My "Dream Mischief"

The Imelda Marcos* Shoe Collection:

Asia Source II Style

*Historical trivia: Imelda Marcos is the former Philippine First Lady who is well-known for her extensive and extravagant shoe collection, which were discovered in the presidential palace when the family was forced into exile duirng the 1986 People Power (EDSA) Revolution. This "bloodless" revolution installed the country's first woman president, Corazon "Cory" C. Aquino.

One of the sights that fascinated me during the camp is this parade of shoes, sandals, slippers, flip-flops, and what-have-yous at the footsteps of the camp hall where we had our daily morning circles, track presentations, speed-geeking, and all those dynamic social activities.

I once asked myself, "what would happen if I mix these all up while everybody's inside?" It was a "dream mischief" that haunted me - almost to the point of compulsion - everytime I see this footwear line-up.

What could have been the reactions if confronted with the situation of not able to locate his/her footwear because of the crazy mix-up? An how I would have enjoyed looking at them from afar. Well, it remained as a dream, as I have said. If not, I could have been labelled as the "camp footwear GILA", if not worse. Note: GILA is the Indonesian word for crazy.

Let's play a game: Count the number of footwear pairs that you see in the picture and post your answers in the blog. So, how many can you see and count? The winner gets... a pair.