Thursday, April 24, 2025
We're in the car before 7:15 AM, picking up Veronica to hike the Gracia tea fields with all 3 dogs. Little Bailey gets to come along since there are no big labradoodles to bounce on him. The past few weeks, PakGum has taken him on his own walks while we've been hiking - since a "roll-over" play stunned and frightened him. He's almost 13 years old so too fragile to be jumped.
The trek is an easy 3 miles (5 km) - mostly downhill over volcanic rock and muddy terrain. It hasn't rained overnight we get less dirty than sometimes.
In places, the trees close overhead and the path is shaded and cool: 75-80F (24-26C). Nice.
Clumps of bananas ripen along the trail.
With an early start, it's cooler. We're soaked with sweat but not panting at 85-90+F (30-32+C) like we'd be at a later hour. The view across the tea fields to the surrounding volcanos is spectacular.
We reach the pickup point about 10 and go for brunch at Paulina's Chahaya resort. We ride the funicular down to the restaurants in the valley below.
Three young woman pose for a photoshoot.
We're having my birthday lunch (almost a month late!) = #Chanaya pasta made by their Australian chef. Yum yum.
There's a variety of good food on the table - enough that we take some home.
It starts to pour rain as we finish eating. We hitch a ride up the hill in the resort's van and run for the car.
This pops up on my phone: 3 years today our standard poodle Cocoa was found and buried in the hills above Bandung. We had been hiking a familiar path when she disappeared and we couldn't find her. She'd fallen into a well and was discovered by villagers 3 days after we lost her. We hiked that trail 2 weeks ago - we'll always remember Cocoa.
Now, 3 years to the day, we say hello to her great-grandson Anton. He arrives late in the evening; it takes 1.5 hours to persuade him into his crate. Once his front legs are in and he's snarfing up his treat, he doesn't fuss. Then all is quiet for the night.
Friday
It's meet and greet for our dogs! We let Anton into the yard without the other dogs. It's early - before 6 AM - to prevent crate accidents. But he's a big boy and does just fine.
While I walk the loop with Anton, W lets our dogs run around the yard before he walks them, without letting them see the newbie. They're happily tired when we meet up at GG (neutral ground). After they get acquainted and run around a bit, we walk them home together. That's worked for us every time. A little prep on Day 1 saves a lot of fights for months to come.
As we pass by, everyone is excited and wants to pet Anton. Today's not the day for that - and maybe not for a few days. He's smart and learning to walk at my side rather than lunging forward. (I turn in a new direction when he gets ahead, so he watches where I'm walking.) He knows sit and a few other commands already.
Back home, the other dogs demonstrate how to come for a treat when I whistle. They're calm. Sitting. Anton gets the hint (and his treat) after a few minutes. He's quickly disabused of any notion that people like dogs jumping on us. Juno doesn't let him bounce on her - she was the nursemaid of the yard at the breeder's - she knows how to handle puppies.
W and I head to Setiabudi Market for groceries. This week, the helpers have baked away the butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. We eat lunch in their basement restaurant. I like the simple decor: batik cloth hung on curtain rods.
The menu has SE Asian options, plus Western and Mexican dishes. W orders a burrito and pad Thai. I choose Vietnamese pho soup and spring rolls.
The afternoon passes with people making deliveries, helpers coming and going, and other fun experiences for the new dog. None of the critters like being on their own when thunder and lightening rolls through, so I work outside. They sprawl or pace nearby. Poor Gypsy has torn out fur patches again, a nervous habit since puppyhood. Edits and more edits. I wade through Chapter 2 this afternoon.
Saturday
It's sometimes hard for people to remember our time zone differences. Today's not too bad: the first call comes at 5:30 AM. Might as well get up and walk when we hang up.
Anton snaps a leash in two, dashing to get out the gate and after the 2 older dogs. Nope - W goes back for the "Gentle Leader" no-pull collar that we used to teach Juno not to pull ahead. For the first few blocks, Anton bucks like a bronco when he rushes ahead and feels the collar. Then he figures it out: a comfy walk happens at my side. Good boy!
After the first loop, he wants to be on the same leash, so the 3 big ones walk together. The older calm dogs are good trainers.
Sam's given us some tea samples. The Serenity herbal goes great with Boh Cameronian Gold (black tea) in the first pot of the day. It's no longer caffeine free, but it is tasty.
Much of the morning involves coordinating a house move for others, getting volunteers into place, and other "smalls." Satisfying Saturday, with 4 dogs lying nearby.
We meet a leader regarding the next season - and it looks like we'll be going ahead. Then W and I walk to Ethnic for supper. I'm not hungry but manage part of a bowl of soup. W enjoys black pepper sauce on tenderloin.
The birds nest fern beside our table has massive fronds (+4'/1.5 meters), tied to a thin-trunked tree.
On our way home, we spot a paladin. Some boy has been - or will be - circumcized. Male family members or friends will carry the boy in a song and dance parade. Circumcision can happen any time but usually the child chooses to join the community before age 16.
Sunday
The hall is full! Many extras extend the morning Round Table Gathering. We have 2 regular attendees who are repatriating.
A local classroom has come to sing 3 songs. They wrap up the meeting after the talk with a traditional dance.
The post-Easter potluck is wonderful. We try out our new canopy, which confirms at it is too small for a potluck; it needs to be 1 meter/3' wider.
The food disappears - we have double the number of people expected, but God multiplies the food. All 4 loaves of Ibu Apong's banana bread disappear. It's a favorite!
For cleanup, the canopy collapses easily and stores into a long narrow box.
The evening is a farewell dinner with John. W orders a shaved ice and a beef salad. The rest of us sip hot honey lemon tea along with dinner. We walk home as darkness is falling.
Read more:
*My heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 NIV
They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.” Mark 7:37
Moravian Prayer; Divine Healer, we are forever grateful for your presence among us, for the beauty of creation, and for our salvation. God, we need your healing. Lift up our neighbors in poverty and conflict, and let your boundless love reach every heart. Amen.
