The urinal ritual

For as long as I've been in Jakarta, this one has puzzled me, but I think I've finally cracked the mystery. When I've been draining the python at places that have Western-style individual urinals in the men's dunnies, such as hotels, shopping malls, bars and offices, I've noticed (although "noticed" is probably not the best word to use, since one does their best not to look sideways when having a squirt) that Indonesians press the flush button numerous times during the 30 seconds or so that it takes to drain the python, and this button pushing is accompanied by lots of sloshing of water with the other hand.

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My initial theories were that the guys were washing their hands with the flusher before shaking hands with the wife's best friend, or flushing repeatedly to mask the sound of their own torrent or to flush away the Yellow River as quickly as possible. Without stopping to stare, or ask the question directly, I've been perplexed by this for many months.

Last week, after mulling this mystery in my head once again, the answer finally dawned on me. I believe what is actually happening is that the right hand is pressing the flush button, and the left hand is using the flowing water for personal hygiene purposes. It's really quite simple, and I have no idea why it took me so long to put two and two together.

The Indonesian Jimi Hendrix

Once a week you can drop into a small, predominantly expat bar in South Jakarta, and join the other 20 or 30 people present who are enjoying listening to and watching a world class blues guitarist by the name of Gugun performing on stage with his bassist and drummer. A lifelong disciple of Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn, Gugun's setlist consists primarily of note for note versions of Jimi and SRV tunes, together with a vocal performance that is on par with the originals. An SRV-style hat and sunglasses completes the image, but this Indonesian guitarist is not a soul-less copycat trundling out benign covers of the original artists. Gugun is the real deal - a virtuoso showman who plays his ass off and never misses a beat, aided by the rest of his trio, who are also very accomplished in their respective support roles.

Gugun has played at various festivals and concerts around Indonesia, but I'm not aware if blues fans outside of Indonesia have yet had the pleasure of seeing him live. If that's the case, it's a crying shame, because Gugun would be right at home at any quality blues festival anywhere in the world. If you're ever visiting Jakarta for any length of time, I wholeheartedly recommend catching a Gugun Blues gig.