Zakat is the amount of money that every adult, mentally stable, free, and financially able Muslim, male and female, has to pay to support those less fortunate.

Normally this is a discrete affair, however, as you venture further into West Java, people take it upon themselves to collect your Zakat as shown here on the road to Subang

Although life in Jakarta is tough for many, the old ways survive undaunted in the country. One does not need to drive too far to reach areas where living of the land continues the way it has for centuries.

Everyone this year is waiting for the onset of the rainy season. In Jakarta it is dreaded due to the possibility of flooding, but in West Java the late arrival of the rains is evident in the condition of the Rice Paddies

Funnily enough, 60 km from Jakarta there is a huge difference in air quality and water cleanliness. The wildlife is more evident and it is pleasant to drive with the window down....

Even the streets are a lot cleaner. Many villages sprawl along the roads, the lack of litter is refreshing.

Pretty well everything outside Jakarta is a bit more laid back!

Really quite Idyllic.....

But wherever you go there is still plenty of Zakat required.....

actually, that isn't zakat collection -- which is done at IdulFitri in any case -- but a collection for mosque building and/or maintenance.

I know, but believe it or not, as reliably informed by my driver it goes nowhere near the Mosque fund and usually straight into the family pocket....they claim it as Zakat if found out.

Nah no wonder Dili they always do that, there were a "leader" to collect this money and they just sitting on their house waiting this peoples "collection" zakat.;)

This is my favorites........

Wow - looks idilic. Pity Western influences are destroying such a way of life.

why were you there again???

Went to look at a Forge in Subang, a vendor audit. They are the only place in Indonesia that can produce hight tensile steels. Good quality but they would never pass an HSE Audit

Another view, looks great, pity about the Oil Drum

no drum? no problemo ...

Ah, the beauty of photoshop

ick! never use photoshop. for babies ... i use corel paint 12.

Never tried it....may buy a copy for trial run

Ah another beautiful one.....traditional even the drum make it litlle bit damage the the view......Dili I like this pictures...

uhhhh my village

JJG - you really come from kampung like this???

so sweet

i still love my homeland no matter what, here where i live nothing can compare the madness living in Jakarta or other part of Indonesia. One day i will be back for good..I hope one fine day:)

miOgU,

I'll try to take some more next weekend and post them!

Have a Balinese Sunset