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Icy cold kill 95 in Indonesia
The temperature dipped to as low as 5 degrees Celsius in a region
where
the usual temperature is
above 20 degrees. (Central Chronicle)
Downer in clemency plea to Jakarta -
Alexander Downer is expected to plead for the lives of two of the
Bali nine in Jakarta.
Prices soar for Sumatran tiger bone used in
Asian medicines
Shortages due to tougher law
enforcement have also contributed to the price increase from US$25
per kilogram (US$55 per pound) in 2003 to more than US$84 per
kilogram (US$185 per pound) last year, Britain-based Flora and
Fauna Int. said. Sumatran tigers, which
now number less than 700, are
under increasing threat from habitat destruction and trafficking
syndicates that sell their bones for traditional medicines. (INQ7)
Cuban doctor working in E. Timor
seeks political asylum in Indonesia
Indonesia steps up efforts to fight bird flu
FROM THE EDITOR:
The reactions were mixed. One American told me he now cannot go
back to BuGils anymore, as the article in the Jakarta Post (Bartele
Santema Friesland farmhand turned 'bule' barman
-Jak Post, Feb16) gave indications that BuGils has become a
place where you can find women willing to marry with any bule that
comes along. His wife and the wives of his colleagues have now
declared BuGils a 'NO GO' zone for their husbands. I found this
rather sad. Because these are the same people who do go out
to bars in 5-star hotels. Places were the chicken flu hasn't yet
penetrated. But I am not too worried. BuGils has survived things
worse than a few bad lines in the press.
Our die hard customers know better. BuGils is a fine place.
Two days ago I received a surprise call.
'Hi, My name is Julia and I am working for CNN. We would like
to interview you.'
I was shocked. CNN!? Wow.... I felt instantly nervous. Me?
On CNN?
'Yes, sure.' I said.
'OK, great! We will come to your place named Cazbar in Mega
Kuningan. We have to do the interview immediately because the tape
has to be sent to Hong Kong before six.'
'Sure, sure!', I stumbled, slowly realizing this was the
opportunity to get fame around the world. Why does everybody
suddenly want to interview a silly barman? And now CNN!? Wow...
The girl continued: 'Mister Bart, is it ok if I send the camera
crew now, so they can set up and then we do the interview at 4. Is
that time OK with you? I will call you back to reconfirm.'
She hung up. The palms of my hands were sweating. I had two hours
to go before the interview on CNN. I decided I better get dressed
properly. Worn out jeans and a black polo shirt with Jack Daniels
logo probably wouldn't cut it. While hurrying home, I called my
brother in Holland and told him the exiting news. He promised to
tape the interview.
The CNN girl called back. 'Everything confirmed we will interview
you at 4.'
Just before she hung up again, I asked her what kind of questions
I could expect. In all the excitement I had no idea what the
interview would actually be about.
'Oh, its about the cartoon row. And you as a Danish National
running a bar around the corner from the Danish Embassy can
maybe....' I stopped her flow of words.
'Danish? Me!? No, I am Dutch,. I am NOT Danish....!', I
stumbled.
It was quiet for three long seconds on the other side of the line.
I slowly repeated my words. 'I am NOT Danish...'
'But somebody told me you are the most famous Danish person in
town...'
'Maybe it was a competing bar owner', I replied.
'In that case Mister Bart, I am very sorry. But let me check with
my colleague and I will call you back.' Before I could say
anything she hung up. She never called back.
Picture: The reading above the bar is NOT
DANISH. Butter, Bread and Green Tsiis is a Frisian saying.
I felt rather silly. I felt like the deputy sheriff who came the
ranch where Dick Chenney just had shot his mate. Imagine yourself
being that deputy sheriff responding to the call that the Vice
President had shot somebody and you had to go there. While driving
to the 'crime' scene, you think: is this a joke? If not, will
anybody back home believe me? While driving there you quickly call
your wife and tell her you have to arrest Dick Cheney. Your heart
will be beating in triple speed.
When this deputy sheriff arrived there, he was instantly sent
away. Just like that. Go home buddy. It is under control. He
also missed his minutes of fame for CNN.
In the meanwhile I have to do it with another article in the
Jakarta Post. And, actually, that is as far as the fame of a
barman should go. What was I thinking! This morning I realised I
forgot to inform my brother who is probably still in front of the
TV with the recorder ready. I never went to the States but now I
have a goal. I want to meet that deputy sheriff. He deserves fame.
Bartele
Please dear readers, be reminded of the FREE
FLOW tonight in BuGils after office hours (between 6
and 9). This free flow is kindly sponsored by FPI.
Important notice for all journalists in Indonesia: You are
entitled to HAPPY HOUR PRICES at ALL TIMES in The CAZBAR. For more
info send an email to
bartele@bugils.com .
From a reader:
Hey Bart. I read the article in the Jakarta
Post today and I have to say it was
quite an entertaining read. However, I am appalled by Mr. Wilson's
reference to bule women as "Barbies", not that I am a bule
woman, but I still find it quite degrading to call a woman that.
To quote - "Customers competing for the attention of Indonesian
wanita (women), while a bule (Western) Barbie sits alone." I
practically live at Bugils, when I'm not living at home, and no
woman in there is a Barbie - Western or not. If he means Barbies
are airheads, I suggest he gets to know women better before
calling them that. If he means Barbies are inanimate dolls, again,
I suggest he gets to know women better before calling them that.
Pray tell, what is his definition of a "Barbie"? Nice
article though. Good picture too.
cheers,
sups
ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD:
German joke against Iran adds fuel to cartoon
flames
A GERMAN newspaper has published a cartoon depicting the Iranian
football team dressed as suicide bombers, opening up a new front
in the row over caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad published in
Denmark.
 The
Iranian embassy immediately demanded an apology from Der
Tagesspiegel. The German cartoon showed four Iranian players
at this year's World Cup in Germany with explosives attached to
their chests. A caption read: "Why
the German Army should definitely be used during the football
World Cup." (SMH)
Australian in Iran cartoon 'hoax'
(BBC)
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