Tales of the Waria

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Orang Bule

Twice now I’ve hired someone in Indonesia and had them show up with a friend in tow. “Two for the price of one,” I call

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Crazy Japanese Lady

Judging from these photos my assistant Dimas took, you’d think that I only have two expressions when I’m shooting: mad and madder. Sometimes I’m struck

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The White Hair

Today over lunch, my new production assistant exclaimed with great surprise and a genuine sense of discovery, “Kathy, you have white hair!” Tiara was sitting

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Home Sweet Home

After 2 days in Bali filming Suharni living among orang bule (Westerners), it was time to fly out to Makassar. Stepping out of the Hasanuddin

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Love Is in the Air

Weddings. What can I say? I’ve attended about 10 of them since coming to Indonesia. That’s more weddings than I’ve ever attended back in the

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Voting Day

Big election day in Indonesia. Today the streets are empty and the shops are closed as people vote for the next president. It’s assumed that

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A Secret Weapon

Our crew has been joined by two new members: Irfan, a young photographer from Makassar, and Pak Handi Ilfat, a professional sound man from Jakarta.

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The Tropics

Had a bit of a scare a few days ago. While filming Mami Ria in Toko Harapan, a clothing store, I started to experience dizziness

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New Directions

My plans to film Sakati, the waria with the young boyfriend, have been temporarily set aside. Sakati lives on a remote island 6 hours away

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Back in Town!

I’ve been back in Indonesia for a week now and it feels good. Like putting on a pair of comfortable gloves. Yes, I’m sweaty, grimy,

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Zoom, zoom, zoom…

Things going well as I march into my final weeks in Makassar. If all goes according to plan, this could possibly be the last missive

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Makassar Is Hot.

Life continues on in Makassar as usual– hot, hot, hot. This is no Bali, to be sure. Despite being a port city (the gateway to

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Indonesia Raya!

I’ve reached Indonesia safely! My stomach is healthy and my spirits are high. I’m safely ensconced in Yogyakarta studying Bahasa Indonesia with 5 excellent tutors.

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