We Called Foreigner 'Bule'

Some expatriate in Indonesia consider this word as an offensive word. But, for us it’s a neutral word. We don’t have any hiding agenda to call foreigner a bule. Moreover, Indonesia thinks Bule is cool. That’s why many of civilian will be excited to see foreigner and want to take a picture together (well, it won’t happen in bug city but, in smaller town where there’s not much foreigner, it’s an exciting experience for them).

But yes, it can be an insulted word in some situation. In some internet forum for expatriate in Indonesia, I read there’s one saying: ‘I have never considered it [bule] racist, but I can see why some people might use it in an offensive manner towards you.

And he gave an example: When he was through Blok M (name of place in Indonesia) late at night and a gang of young males standing in a dark corner shout out "BULE". But don’t you worry, bule is often be used as a appreciation: ‘some of my Indonesian friends just love bules, they admire bules and everything that bules do - and they still call them bule’.

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Tempe

Tempe (source)

I remembered a few years ago I’ve ever heard that there were some people from foreign country came to Indonesia specially just to learn how to make tempe. At that time I laughed at that news because I thought it was ‘silly’.

Do people in foreign countries not know what ‘tempe’ is? ‘Tempe’ is a food from soy-bean. The basic ingredient is the same as tofu and soy-sauce. If in foreign
countries they’re familiar with tofu and soy-sauce, why is there no tempe?

However, it turned out that several times I went abroad and spent some time living abroad, I’ve never found tempe in those countries. Except in an Indonesian restaurant, of course. But I was also very rare. Most of the menus in Indonesian restaurant in foreign countries are those which ingredients easy to get or easy to make or of the basic ingredient should be imported from Indonesia, it should be the one that could last pretty long such as ‘terasi’ (shrimp paste).

The making process of tempe needs to be in a particular temperature and humidity. After so, the tempe also need to be kept in a place with particular temperature and humidity that is easy to get in a tropical area such as Indonesia. Maybe that’s why tempe is very rare abroad, moreover in four-seasons countries because the weather and climate there are not suitable for the making process.

It’s a bit sorry for that because tempe is very delicious and high nutrition. Apparently this cheap and common food in Indonesia could also be a precious thing abroad. I don’t know I should be happy or sorry with this fact.

(FK)

Too Personal Question?

I know western people will be offended when they are being asked about age, religion, or weight. But in Indonesia, those things aren’t a big problem. Yes, few people might be offended. But not all. In fact, that’s our way to know each others.

I think it’s because Indonesia has many cultural background. Religion in Indonesia is various and when we asked about that it’s not for making boundaries but to respect each other. The same reason also used for asking age.

We ask about age because we respect others. We will great someone older than us with ‘Mas’ (usually this is a way to call older brother, but it can be used for every man that slightly older than you ) or ‘Mbak’ (to slightly older woman). ‘Kak’ can also be used too, and this is for either man or woman.

To greet someone older enough to be your Mom or Dad, we used ‘Pak’ (Mr.), ‘Ibu/Bu’ (Mrs.)

Don't be offended if Indonesians inquire about your religion, your marital status or number of children. Those are common questions Indonesians ask each other, too. These topics usually occur during chit-chat. These questions are the opening conversation to get closer and more familiar to the persons they speak with.

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Tajin Milk

Not every child in this world is lucky enough to be able to drink milk. That was my thought almost every-time I wash rice before cooking.

I don’t know since when; maybe since long time ago during our ancestors’ era, maybe it was just started tens-of -years ago. In many areas in Indonesia, where there are still a lot of people from low income families couldn’t afford to buy milk for their babies, they use rice soup as the substitute for milk.


Tajin Milk (source)

It is called ‘tajin milk’. To make ‘tajin milk’, first we need to boil the rice with large amount of water. After that we get some kind of porridge. When we filter this, we would get some rice soup. This rice soup is the one used as the substitute of milk for the babies. We can add some sugar or just plain like that.

I myself have never tried how it tastes. Actually I’m pretty curious whether ‘tajin milk’ actually really has a lot of nutrition or not because there are still a lot of pro and contra rumors about giving ‘tajin milk’ to the babies and toddlers. I don’t know about the actual usage of this ‘tajin milk’, it’s just something that caught my attention: when people are force to ‘think creatively’ in the middle of economy pressure.

(FK)

Jamu

Jamu Gendong (source)

One of our traditional beverage is jamu. It’s tonic or herbs made by rhizome, leaves, or fruits. It’s either in liquid form, powder, or dried leaves. It tastes bitter, so it’s better drank with sugar or honey.

Jamu are sold by many ways, but the one we used to see the most is “jamu gendong” or a female seller who carry a basket of jamu bottles in her back. Nowadays we don’t see this kind of seller so often. Insted, we can see male and female sellers who sell jamu by riding a bycicle.

Another kind of jamu seller is a stall with STMJ speciality. STMJ stands for Susu Telor Madu Jahe or Milk Eggs Honey Ginger, which is one of the most popular jamu mixtures among adult males.

Jamu convinced to be good for health and able to cure cough, muscle pain, sprues, and it’s also good for women who is on diet or men’s sexual health.

There are a lot of jamu mixtures, such as beras kencur (made of rice and greater galingale), kunir asam (made of turmeric, tamarind, and other plants), jamu pahitan (made of sambiloto—latin: Anrographis Paniculata) and many others. Each mixtures has its own benefit for our body.

For beginners, jamu might be hard to drink. But for our ancestors, jamu is like a daily drink, and that’s how they keep their body healthy before they knew any of modern medical treatments.

I can’t stand most jamu mixtures either, but I often drink beras kencur. It tastes rather sweet, so it’s easy to drink.

Next time you find a jamu seller around, please give it a try. You can try beras kencur for starter. But I tell you now, it’s not good for those who’s on diet, because it’s raising appetite.

Those who’s on diet, please try kunir asam instead. It tastes rather sour, and good for women.

By the way, please pardon my bad English. m(_ _)m

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