Week 4 -- Part 1 -- Still Alive, In Case You Were Wondering

This is just a quick post to let everyone know that I am fine. Some of you have contacted me asking if I have been affected by the recent bombings in Tentena, so I figured that I should let you all know I am allright.

I didn't even hear about the bombings until this morning actually. I had seen some news coverage of it, but it was in Indonesain so I wasn't sure whether they were talking about bomb threats or actual bombings. Last week the US and Australian embassies shut down and increased security so this hasn't been a complete surprise. Nobody here in Bogor has been alarmed by the recent threats. Bogor isn't a huge draw for foreign tourists and businesses and the recent bombings were on a different island and didn't seem to have anything to do with foreigners as they were not targeted.

There are regional elections going on in some parts of the country and these have been known to spark violence in the past. Indonesians seem to be sore losers when it comes to politics. But I can't say for sure that that was the cause of the bombings.

In case things get really scary I've registered with the Canadian embassy and given them all my contact information for home and work. I assume if things get too dangerous they will contact me and help get me out of the country. Although I doubt this will happen. The best thing I can do right now is stay out of Jakarta and other popular places like Bali. I've been keeping a low profile as it is, mostly I just go to work and home with the occasional trip to downtown Bogor for shopping.

Keep in mind that Indonesia is made up of thousands of islands, many with their own unique customs and political situations that may have little to do with the rest of the country. I feel safe where I am right now.