Thoughts on Sorong

After spending the last day in Sorong (or “so wrong” to some).

• It’s a poverty-stricken, polluted town that sits like an island between a sea of jungle and the ocean.
• There is a palpable underlying racial/religious tension between the native (Christian) Papuans and the (Muslim) Javanese migrants who have settled here for work.
• However, I felt quite safe when venturing about.
• Most foreign tourists never go beyond the gates of the 2-3 enclave hotels that cater to them.  The locals seemed genuinely shocked to see me walking about.  It probably helped that I’m a big, blonde sunburned white dude.
• The people are incredibly warm and friendly.
• When I ventured out, I felt like a cross between a rock star and circus freak.  “Meester..meester..hallo!” was called out to me by children, adults, passing motorcyclists, groups of workmen in the back of trucks, etc.  I would instantly become the center of attention, wherever I went.  Several men randomly walked up to me and shook my hand and asked me where I was from.  The kids were fun.  Very proud of the six or seven english words in their vocabulary.
• Last night I went to dinner (and a show) with Rudie, who will be my driver/interpreter/guide for my birdwatching trip into the jungle.  I usually don’t have the guts to try street food when traveling, but Rudie knew the place, so what the hell…3 bucks for a grilled fish and some rice isn’t bad. 

• After dinner, we went to see a practice for a choral/dance group (60 people strong) that will be coming to the United States for the World Choir Games this summer.  They were fantastic and it was a special treat to meet them.
• Rudie hadn’t rented the truck yet, so last night I did one of the scariest things I’ll experience on this trip…ride on the back of a small motorcycle through Sorong.  No..we did not pop a wheelie the whole way (ala Cannonball Run)!  Those of you who have been in Asian (or Latin American, or African) cities know what I mean.  Its like being part of a giant swarm of smog-spewing bees. 

I’m off to the jungle for a 2 days.  Hopefully I come back with some cool bird/wildlife shots.  I've set some more diving posts to upload automatically over the next couple of days.

Comments

[Jeff]

No monkeys? They were everywhere in Malaysia?