Makbuk Mubarak’s film Autobiography is a brilliant (and beautiful) exploration of Indonesia’s addiction to feudalism. But if you substitute class or corporate interests for the role of the Indonesian military, it becomes a univeral tale.
The most common activity for any traveller in Indonesia is, without question, waiting around. One of the next most common activities is guessing WHY we’re waiting around. Sometimes, the ferry captain forgets the waters are tidal and a ferry will get stranded on its belly for six or eight hours. Sometimes, one has to wait until the bus driver’s mother-in-law has finished her dinner. This weekend, I spent several hours waiting for The President. Me, I just had to wait…
