Do It Go

Traveling to Jakarta is an eye-opening experience of the most splendid kind.  There are amazing varieties of visual splendor here, being one of the largest cities in the world, with an array of cultures with long and complex histories intertwined with the histories of Indonesia.   The city has a rhythm that is amazingly overpowering, and it’s always shifting, and always on its way to becoming something else.  There is a fantastic sense of presence here, and being here physically is simultaneously bewildering and rejuvenating.  It’s a great place to enjoy fusions of cultures expressed in the cuisine at the local restaurants, and a great place for luxury hotels.  Jakarta has something to offer everyone, and there’s always more where that came from.

It’s got an energy that is always in motion, because the intense creativity of the people who live there are always innovating new ways to express it.  The local art scene is thriving, and there is a steady mainstream that keeps the established artists working, but there are also factors that make it difficult for younger artists to find ways to show their work.  This sets up an interesting imbalance, where the frustration of the next generation actually feed their work, and some of the most exciting art is coming from underground spaces.  It’s sometimes hard for visitors to find the spaces, and the edgiest ones are always changing locations at the last moment.  One good resource for finding new and interesting work here is via Australia, interestingly enough.

Rebecca Conroy, the associate director of the Performance Space at Carriageworks in Sydney is one of the best resources around for alternative performance art in Indonesia.  This work crosses between visual art and performance, and is often found in unusual locations, or in makeshift galleries that will show an evening’s worth of interesting new work, and often with visual art on display as well.  Conroy has done some outstanding research in the field of contemporary works in Indonesia, and is also a practitioner, so there are constant collaborations going on between cities and countries, and it’s a splendid thing to see.

Tags: Conroy, luxury hotels Jakarta, Rebecca Conroy
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One of the best things about grilling on a fire magic grill, is the flavor of everything you choose to cook.  From ribs to pork roasts, tofu hotdogs and vegetables, the choices are endless.  One of my favorite recipes for grilling vegetables I learned from the chefs at the restaurant I worked at in Chicago.  What you will need to prepare this dish is really up to you, and variations can be made according to your own personal tastes and preferences.

This is what I used the last time: corn on the cob, butter potatoes, carrots, a sweet pepper and a green pepper, a red onion, a few tomatoes and a portobello mushroom.  Other necessary items include a bit of salt and pepper, onion soup mix, olive oil and some fresh basil.  Once the vegetables have been washed and sliced you will need a large mixing bowl to hold all of the vegetables.  The next step is to mix the soup mix, the basil and any others seasonings you prefer, and a bit of olive oil.  Next toss the vegetables with this sauce and let them marinate while you prepare the grill. Once the grill has been heated you brush a bit of oil onto it and place the vegetables over the flame.

Some will take a bit longer to cook that the others, the onions and the peppers will take more time than the tomatoes and the portobello mushrooms so place them on the grill first.  Once the vegetables are cooked there are a couple of options.  You can toss them with red wine vinaigrette or some balsamic vinegar and either have a hot grilled vegetable salad, or you can chill them in the refrigerator for later as a cold salad.  Many people are fond of panini bread, which can be toasted on the grill, and together with your favorite cheese this makes for one incredible sandwich.  The flavors will amaze you and your meal will be healthy and satisfied.  So get out the grill, head to the local farmers market, and enjoy.

Tags: farmers market, fire magic, flame grilled vegetables
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