I apologize for misleading readers twice by implying that Indonesia runs on 1) Bakso ("balls") 2) Batik ("not on my back").
Both are wrong answers. The country runs on cigarettes. Here is a typical ad on TV: high tech operating room, with handsome men in surgical masks, supported by sexy women with scalpels (shiver me timbers). The masks come off, lead surgeon smiles triumphantly, pan to a shot of some brand of cigarettes ("Something Black", I believe) and he gets into a Porsche.
Yes!
1 comment:
Sorry to disprove you yet again CY, but Java runs on Mysticism.
Street corners are considered spiritual, and people see dead politicians faces on the moon.
The population is Muslim, but have a ganesha statue outside their homes where they make flower and incesne offerings every morning.
They even consider a cemetary a holy place.
I recommend a visit to Imogiri Royal Cemetary, which is about 12 km from Jogja. It houses the tomb of Sultan Agung Hanyokrokusumo, the third king of the Islamic Mataram Kingdom.
The cemetary was built in 1645, and you need to climb 345 steps to reach the tomb.
I've heard that Indonesia's top politicians (including Megawati, Jusuf Kallah and Suharto) have come here to pay respects and ask for benevolence.
If nothing else, its a gorgeous place off the beaten track. But do note that you can only visit the tomb on Modays from 10-12Am and on Fridays from 1-4PM. Get there early to give yourself some time to climb. Its harder than it sounds.
The Javanese are a beautiful people steeped in mysticism and cigarette smoke. ;)
~div
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