Kids and More Kids

this little guy was egged on by adults around him

This isn't the first time I've posted photos of some of the kids I've met, and I can promise that it won't be the last. Indonesian kids are really delightful. They are uninhibited, like children everywhere. They are always curious about us and if they are a little older and know a few words of English, they are eager to try it out on us! Ronnie gets more of this than I do since he’s out and about on foot more. “Hey Mista!” or “Bule!” is something he hears a lot.

sweet little face

keep your distance

a very sweet little girl

another shot of bird market boy

 

sweet school boy in uniform

Yesterday I took another Fulbrighter to the bird market since she’s big on all kinds of markets and had never seen one. The close ups are of kids whose parents work at the market. They followed us around the entire time we were there and were even waving goodbye and giggling when we left. They love having their photos taken!

runny nose little sister

The younger ones are usually more shy. They stare because they have never seen white people before. The older ones are more outgoing. Some will ask for money because they have been taught that white people are rich. Some will tag along behind you giggling, talking or trying to sell you something.

cute as can be

 

sticking with mom

The little girl in the coffee store was watching us from a distance but sticking close to her mother. Adorable!

swim class at Cipaku pool (notice swim wear)

school children dressed as Indians, war paint and all

persistent little paper seller

The little girl above was the most persistent little thing we've ever had to contend with! She was the whole package. She had the sad expression down pat and she was determined to sell us a newspaper (often these papers are several days old). She followed us all over the parking lot and waited until our driver finally showed up. We must have told her "no" at least a dozen times!

The thing that makes me the saddest is when the children are put to work on the streets. They are clearly taught to put on a very sad face and look as pitiful as possible. Yesterday there was a kid working the traffic with a toddler on his back! He himself couldn't have been more than 8 or 9 and the idea of having a toddler in the middle of traffic that I can't even find a word to describe is almost more than I can think about. I have seen very young kids (toddlers included) on a small medium in the middle of a crazy/busy intersection. And of course babies are carried on motor scooters from infancy on up, the large majority with no headgear. We've even seen babies being fed on the back of a scooter in heavy traffic. Although it is illegal to drive a scooter before age 16, it is common to see children much younger driving them. They drop out of school at very young ages and work for little pay. I'm afraid that many kids in Indonesia don't get to stay kids very long.