Indonesia is composed of over 17,000 islands; is full of ecological and wildlife diversity; and is the host to over 500 different ethnic groups who speak more than 731 different languages. This chain of islands straddles 1,100 miles north and south along the equator, dividing the Indian and Pacific Oceans, linking the continents of Asia and Australia. This vast archipelago--the world’s largest--spans three time zones. Indonesia stretches east to west across the globe some 3,200 miles, the approximate distance from Florida to Alaska.
The science and history committees joined forces to create an interactive exhibit about the Spice Islands. There were student made volcanoes; symbolizing the volcano of Krakatau. Indonesia is one of the leaders in fair trade hand-craft exports. Artisans often work in family owned shops and are famous world-wide for their incredible batiks, beautiful jewelry, well-crafted leather goods and intricate carvings. 
The main attraction on the plaza stage were the Indonesian dancers from North Sumatra, Cindai. The dance and music troupe is composed of 16 members drawn from the eight primary ethnic groups in Sumatra. We perused the International Food Booths and chose a snack. 
The cultural exhibit in the City Building is entitled: The Islands: Artistic Expression. We saw batik quilts, silk garments and silk wall hangings, bamboo musical instruments and 
shadow puppets. Indonesia is internationally acclaimed as the "land of the shadow puppet."
On another note, we normally recycle aluminum cans when we have more than 50 pounds. Last March, I called to see what the price was before we loaded the cans into the truck. Yikes! What an unpleasant surprise! The price had dropped almost in half to 36 cents a pound! Needless to say, we did not recycle them in March!
Last week the price was 50 cents a pound. Better than 36 cents, but not as good at the almost 70 cents we had received. Guess how many pounds of cans we had. Clue #1: The truck bed is covered. Clue #2: I have friends who save their aluminum cans for me to recycle. Clue #3: All the cans are crushed. The closest guess (one guess per person) wins. Good Luck!
# posted by Martha @ 4:29 PM
