When we were living and working in Indonesia we instantly became Millionaires too. At the time we resided there, it was 2,000 Indonesian Rupiah to every US Dollar. Adding three digits to our salary made us feel rich indeed! By the end of 1998 it went even as high as Rupiah 8,500 to every US Dollar. So when we did arrive from the USA in Jakarta, Indonesia on one of our consulting trips, we did go SHOPPING. Winter Sale was a bargain for us.
We just had arrived the previous day in Jakarta, Indonesia. Here we are at the Hyatt Aryaduta hotel for a coffee/tea after we went to the Leprosy Project in Tangerang with our driver. That is about an hour to the west from the capitol of Jakarta, Indonesia. We always hand delivered cash that got raised by the Dublin Rotary Club and by some private donors. That time we safely handed over US $ 9,600.00 to Father Binzler, a German Jesuit that was the head of the compound. Sadly he got killed by a car in Jakarta a couple of years later...
We went to Plaza Indonesia for our shopping.
Just back from the Sogo Department store in Jakarta. Sogo used to be a Japanese department store in Indonesia and targeting the upper-class market. Its name has now changed and we have not been there since 2001. From niece Maartje in The Netherlands, we had a very sweet drawing and a note on bear stationery, the morning before we departed from the USA. So we did stop at the Versus Versace boutique and found her a beautiful Young Versace jeans in black, that was marked down from Rupiah 940,000.00 to Rupiah 470,000.00. Maartje got lucky! We also found her a nice hibiscus dress at Sogo and matching hair bows for all outfits.
Wearing my Majorica 14mm pearls.
Brother Martin made a picture of her dress, without the matching top that we bought with it.
Rupiah 940,000.00 for half off is only 470,000.00
BUT that was no more than US 58.78...
Weird for having to deal with that many numbers!
Sogo Department Store at Plaza Indonesia in Jakarta Center
This was for the dress...
Not too bad for the dress, converted back into US $
Sogo Department hair bows and barrettes
Hair bows and barrettes converted into US $
We have always traveled with suitcases full of things to Indonesia, to give to the poor Leprosy patients and to the deaf children that visited our home frequently from the boarding school.
When traveling to the Netherlands we had always one suitcase full with GIFTS for nieces and nephews etc.
Weight in the luggage and number of luggage pieces was not that restricted as it is now.
Coach Class did allow Two (2) pieces of 70 pounds / 32 kilograms each!
At that time we also frequently did send parcels but with the very high postage, that is no longer possible.
We both loved to be generous and make others happy.
Even though once we stopped arriving with full suitcases to give to family members, they stopped being interested.
We seldom hear from them...
Sorry, but living off just one pension with three people, we no longer can afford playing Santa Claus.
Related links:
Hello Mariette, Although the 30 to 1 exchange rate is not so high as in Indonesia, Taiwan has similar issues. Everyday expenses cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, which can be a bit disorienting for Americans, especially since Taiwan currency is also called dollars, and they usually use the $ dollar sign. For example, US$1000 is NT$30,000, and $5 in the states is $150 in Taiwan.
ReplyDeleteHigh postage rates do pose problems for expatriates, especially when sending from the U.S. after they eliminated Surface, Book, and other discount rates. When I send a package in either direction, the postage is often more than the value of what I am sending.
Still, postage is only a minor factor in living abroad. The real value and benefit is in the experience.
--Road to Parnassus
Dear Jim,
DeleteYou are so right and yes, postage drastically changed since surface and book rates are eliminated. It doesn't make sense when the postage is more than the value... The experience of living abroad is priceless; we will treasure that till our death and we hope that will not be too soon.
Best wishes to you,
Mariette
Deaerst Mariette,
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful post about your time in Indonesia, really interesting!
Wishing you a wonderful and happy week,my dear friend!
love and hugs
Claudia
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteHello, thank you SO MUCH for your thoughtful comment. Although I'm still feeling a bit groggy, I finally start facing pc and catching up visiting friends (^^;)
Oh, your experiences in Indonesia♬♬♬ Haha, my head doesn't work for converting rate. Yes, so many kinds of dollars which we need to consider the differences. Happy for your great experience there, my sweet friend♡♡♡
Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
You have traveled so many places and experienced so many different things Mariette. How wonderful to be able to share your experiences. Lovely!
ReplyDeletexo Catherine
I know that situation. They expect you to buy them things every time you travel somewhere. (even to near town) That is rude.
ReplyDeleteThat was such a great post Mariette!!! Love the title too:) You will always be millionaires because of all the wonderful experiences you've had in your life and continue to have:)
ReplyDeleteLiebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletees klingt nach einer interessanten Erfahrung, einmal "Millionär" gewesen zu sein, wenn auch nur in indonesischer Währung ;o)) Schöne Bilder und Erinnerungen! Es ist schade, dass der Kontakt zu deinen Verwandten inzwischen nicht mehr so eng ist - (oft hat das aber gar nichts mit Geschenken oder "nicht-Geschenken" zu tun, sondern damit, dass die Menschen schon so viel Zeit und Energie für ihr eigenes Leben aufwenden... Meine jüngeren Verwandten stecken nun auch bis über beide Ohren in ihrem Berufsleben... da hört man eben leider nur selten voneinander...)
♥♥liche Grüße & alles Liebe von der rostrosigen Traude
PS: Bei uns schneit's seit gestern wie wild!
˚˛*˛°.˛*.˛°˛
˛°_██_*
˛. (´• ̮•)*
.°( . • . ) ˛
*(…’•’.. )
It must be wonderful to once in your life feel rich and generous. Beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Wat zit je daarboven heerlijk aan het water in Venetië. Lijkt mij ook erg mooi daat, zie het vaak op de franse tv.
ReplyDeleteWat heb je veel gereisd en veel ervaringen opgedaan, dat is heel waardevol in het leven.
Groetjes Janny
Lieve Mariette,
DeleteKan de " comment box " niet vinden dus maar even als reply-kommentaar op Janny haar comment.
Wat vervelend dat je met je gezondheid zit, zo naar.Ik probeer even wat goede wensen en gedachten naar je toe te sturen en denk aan je- hoop dat dit helpt, lieve schat!!!
http://moderncountrylady.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/kindest-and-most-supportive-best-blog.html is een korte post over je, nu maar hopen dat de hele wereld je beterschap stuurt en dat het helpt.Veel liefs.XXXX Bea
Dear Mariette,what a lovely post!I realy enjoyed reading it.I never visit Indonesia,only Singapore!!Are you from the Netherlands ?My daughters boyfriend lives in Delft,and she goes too often there!Wishing you a lovely week!
ReplyDeleteDimi..
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeletewow,I enjoyed so much this post regarding your Indonesia living.
you were absolutely right. But now days have changed. now 1 USD= RP.9.650.
In Indonesia,at this moment quite expensive living cost either.
the same herein Europe. working for paying highly taxes instead of working for saving.
have a nice day
love to you