Sometimes living in another country can be interesting, especially when you are light skinned in a land of darker skin. Needless to say, we stick out a little bit. Our helper, when holding Silas, commented that their skin next to each other was like coffee with milk.
People here love children, but to be a foreign child makes you a special treat. At the grocery store random people will come up and touch our kids faces and hands, while saying something in Indonesian that I can’t understand.
Most malls here have a play area set up for kids to play in while their parents shop or stay with them. For 10,000 Rupiah (about 1 US dollar), Jeremiah can have 30 minutes of non-stop running and jumping with other kids.
These play areas are usually staffed by teen girls who immediately come and take Silas away from me to hold. I usually let them enjoy his sweet personality while I, instead of getting a break like would be assumed, have to work harder at watching both of the boys to make sure they are alright (Jeremiah has the tendency to leave without letting me know).
There is a certain play area that we go to every week after shopping, so I am familiar with the girls who steal away my child. When Tri (our helper) is there with me on Fridays, she usually holds him and shows him off.
Today while at the play area I realized that we need to teach Jeremiah not to take any food or drink from strangers. People here are always giving things to Jeremiah without asking me if it is something he can have. While this is kind, it is not always helpful. While playing in the ball pit today, a kind teenage girl (most likely a nanny) offered Jeremiah a drink from her child’s drink.
Jeremiah gladly took the first drink, enjoyed the second drink and was asking for more when I came and put an end to it. I am glad people are so friendly, but I would rather not have my children sharing germs with total strangers.
Life in another culture…you never know what you’re gonna get (in more ways than one).
Related posts:
Mmmmmm Germs
Sent to Sandra