Although the sun long shadows of the giant spider-like rain trees on the turf raises
Even if the sun casts long shadows of the giant spider-like rain trees on the turf, pushed the white-uniformed butler, Sulaiman, a cart of drinks on the red tiles, the well-lit corner of the airy living room, where the family gathers in the rule.
Two housekeepers keep the spacious but simple three-bedroom bungalow and a cook prepares food, mostly "from scratch", including dark bread and yogurt, Chrestman woman said, because not are convenience products available. Shopping is in a small village nearby with the exception of occasional visits to the port city of Medan done for treats such as canned ham, jam and cheese.
Unless Chrestman have to make the two-hour drive to Medan, phone calls in Akron city or fly to Jakarta for consultations with government officials, he is at home for three meals per day.
every morning promptly at 9:30, he and his colleagues Expatriate in their homes to gather for coffee and cake. "It drives me Bonkers," said Mrs. Chrestman. "They see each other eight hours a day, and when it is time for a break, they take it together. I "as her own family," but she admits that the domestic workers, such as the bungalow is beautiful, "one of the basic advantages and one of the reasons to live here. "
Most users will probably through some of the plantation character, born in Germany as the company doctor to be taken can not imagine what the Indonesian people people have to think. "
The custom is a holdover from the days when all personnel managers latex body were Americans. Today, with all but the top jobs Indonesians held, privileges formerly reserved for expatriates to be shared. These include membership in the club, where films (usually spaghetti westerns ") screened twice a week and Bridge lessons take place, and the use of the company's own bungalow on Lake Toba, about 2 1 / 2 hours.
A stranger visiting the plantation for the first time will probably have mixed The feelings Chrestmans lives here. On the one hand, they are surrounded by exceptional natural beauty and waited by trained staff.
Chrestman woman claimed that the employees who in turn must be for a 60-year-old bachelor who spent 18 years are cared for in Sumatra. He is a world-renowned authority on Sumatra butterflies and plays cello. More than a few Maugham's fictional people.
But most visitors would leave most of the feeling of isolation and limited social contacts are concerned, too few people who see and know too much too much of each other's lives to increase the tendency to linger and small irritations.
Although Chrestmans have studied Indonesian and they speak passable are their regular contacts with the local population largely confined to the estate elite.
"We can only talk and mix with a social level at a time," Mrs. Chrestman said. "We want to try mixing a few steps together, but our first attempts proved disastrous, and we ve succumbed to the pressure of the rigid social structure."
The Chrestman Expected to remain on the plantation for another 8 or 10 years. Chrestman, 54, comes from Spiro, a small town in Oklahoma, will then withdraw and they plan in Australia, where he began his international experience in 1953, or may live in Hawaii.
Chrestman wife grew up in Western Victoria in Australia on a remote sheep station by her father, Sir Magnus Cormack heard. "We were there a lot more isolated than we here on the plantation," she recalls. The Chrestmans "rural areas and years in India, Singapore and other foreign agencies have no doubt helped them To adapt to life here.
"I admit that I sometimes miss going to the movies to the theater and the ballet," said Chrestman. "But if we go on vacation, I gorge. And besides, if you live in Akron, New York or London or even how often you want to visit the theater or a concert? "
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