Believe it or not.In escaping the street festivities in my street I'd forgotten the annual shenanigans in Jl. Jaksa.
I was brave enough not to enter the 6-legged ski races or the eel eating contest, but what pisses me off a bit was that I was too late for the beer drinking race, because my lunchtime meeting proved that I could have been a contender.
I don't think you'll see me on TV tonight or adorning the front page of the Jakarta Post tomorrow, a fate which annually befalls those
bules who do have the independence on Independence Day, mainly because I did my best to stay out of view. But if you really want to know who came 3rd in the ladies balloon bursting competition, or whose fat arse that is tumbling in the sack race, then drop me a line.
What intrigued me most from today's little jaunt was told me by my homeward bound taxi driver. Apparently, up on Jakarta's north shore, in the Ancol recreation area, a world record was set. A feature of many celebrations and now a focus for communal effort is the 8 or so metre high greasy pole from the top of which dangle tempting prizes.
The record? 260 poles had been erected.
Truly amazing, eh?
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