Children doing the washing in the 'creek' by the road

There is a 'creek' running through every village, alongside the main road. Unfortunately, the creek is what you might call 'gray water.'
Fortunately, it does not seem to be a source of drinking water.
Unfortunately, it is used for washing clothes and dishes, and sometimes for bathing.

Effective waste disposal is an ongoing struggle in Indonesia, especially with the introduction of plastics and other durable materials. Like anywhere, these materials blow and scatter, and do not break down like their natural antecedents (banana leaves, etc.). [Visit http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailfeatures.asp?fileid=20060815.W02&irec=1 for a story on someone who is trying to solve this problem.]

Also, the air is constantly filled with smoke -- some from fields being burned (a normal part of the agricultural cycle) and some from trash being burned.

Despite this, I was constantly struck by how clean many places were. Most yards were swept and tidy, with lots of potted plants in bloom. Washed clothes were hanging in the sun. Children's school uniforms were crisp and tidy. And animals were healthy-looking. There seemed to be a lot less 'waste' there -- items were cared for and repaired, rather than thrown out.
It made me wonder about concepts like 'plenty,' 'waste,' 'prosperity,' and 'stewardship.'

MBF