Religion is a part of daily life for most people and many Indonesians have expressed an opinion to me that it doesn't matter what religion you are, just as long as you believe in god.
Westerners place a lot of importance on education, well some of them do, some don't seem to care to be honest, even ones who live in countries that have scholarships and quotas. But that's their loss. Here in Indonesia I see some people chasing an education while most people are chasing a paycheck. Here in Bali its almost a given that a young person will leave high school and find some low paying job in a shop or restaurant. That will last until they get married and then perhaps move back to the village from which they came.
For westerners coming to Indonesia there are a few big myths about Islam that we have to get clear, including that all Muslims hate foreigners or that Muslims are repressed and can't have a good time. Here in Indonesia Muslim people know perfectly well how to have a good time and it was amazing visiting my wife's family for the first time. Looking through their family album was like looking through an English or American family album from the 1970's. Dad was skinny with long hair, mum was 50lbs lighter, all the kids had bikes and balls, birthdays were times to dress the kids up in ridiculous outfits and hairstyles changed with the times. With one foot in the past and the other striding confidently into the future, Indonesia really is a country going in circles.
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