LOCKED

HELP..... I'm locked in a toilet in Balikpapan, and can't get out!

First - a bit of background.
1. Toilets are called toilets here, not bathrooms, a bathroom is where you go to wash.
2. Most locks here involve keys and are deadbolts.
3. Indonesians are generally rather superstitious and they do believe in ghosts.

So last night we went out for burgers with a few other expats at one of our favorite spots. And after about 20-30 minutes we realized one of the guys was missing (we actually thought he was outside on the phone so finished his game of pool for him). Anyways turns out - after the three local girls that work there were completely freaked out (thought it was a ghost banging on the door) we realized our Canadian friend - had turned the key in the lock and couldn't get out.

Ok, talk about funny. So, with the help of a screwdriver, a hammer, and a 1.5 meter long pry bar (God only knows where he got that from - at a restaurant?), Herri, the owners brother, finally managed to get him out. Interesting note - that tiny little toilet turned into a real sweat box and yes he needed an ICE COLD BEER when he finally got out.

I know, the picture above (a little traveling local shop) .............. has absolutely nothing to do with today's post. Sorry but I didn't have the camera with me last night. Or yesterday afternoon when a truck loaded with styrofoam coolers (iceboxes) full of live crabs - lost half the load on the road near the airport. Broken bits of styrofoam everywhere. Not to mention all the crabs running about. Only in Balikpapan.

TODAY: Today I'm on my way to Lubna's house. She's giving us a lesson in Yemen cooking. ............ gotta go.

Good to Go!