The youngest refugee in Medan...

Our lovely home, also doubles as the U.S. Consulate. This means that any time anyone disagree with U.S. policy, craves attention, or otherwise want the U.S. to take notice, we become demo center as protestors flock en masse to the only symbol of American they can find: Our house. President Bush will come to Indonesia after attending the APEC Leader Summit in Hanoi this month. Demonstrations have been held accross the country, including in Medan. Our demos began on Thursday. Non-mainstream groups such as Hizbut Tahrir, the Front for the Defense of Islam and Majelis Muhammad in Indonesia took an early lead in calling for demos, but before long, mainstream groups like Muhammadiyah and PKS joined in as well. Because our home has all the security features of, well, a home, we have to evacuate every time there is a demonstration. This time, we had to flee with less than 30 minute's notice. Not enough time to prep the kids or pack our bags...Security doesn't think it prudent for us to go back before Tuesday. Security is probably right.

Thursday, Nov 16, 2006 -- 10. a.m. -15.15 p.m.: 300 people came and broadcast by loud speaker (just like most other protestors). There was zero violence. Everyone went home in peace.

19:00 p.m.: Mr. Protestor went "LIVE" on the radio regretting the way Indonesian Law Enforcement dealt with the demonstrators. Mr. Protestor claimed that students were injured in confrontation with the police. Mr. Protestor was regretting Law Enforcement's reaction towards the students.

20:45 p.m.: One of the TV station covering the demonstration showed footage of pushing between the policemen and students. Later, they broadcast footage of a student who claimed to have been injured in the melee. He was laying on the grass in a park no where near the Consulate -- being helped by other students. He appeared an injured foot. This footage fueled a lot of rabble rousing on the radio throughout the evening. Definitely not the type of publicity we want...

Friday, November 17, 2006 -- 9:30 a.m.: The office heard from a reliable source that a bigger demonstrations will occur. The Consulate was planning to shut the office for the afternoon.

10:00 a.m.: The police called with some depressing news. A large, angry crowd is en route and the Steins should evacuate immediately. The mass barely miss us. When we left about 5 military size trucks parked with over 100 police officers surrounded the Consulate. The police later told us that more than 150 police officers were used to secure the site. A couple of TNI (military) officers were on hands as well to monitoring the situation.

10:10 a.m.: Over 1000 angry students crowded in front of our house. They are planning to keep protesting until President Bush is out of the country (Monday, Nov 20) No violence, so far (knock on the wood...)

Throughout the day: We received multiple calls and text messages from friends - including premans, Muslim Leaders, heads of youth groups warning us to be careful because the crowd is particularly angry. Later, Sean is called by ethnic-Chinese business leaders who tell him that Muslim groups are asking for money to pay for food and transpotation for demonstrators.

Saturday, Nov 18, 2006 -- 10:50 a.m.: Around 500 people arrived in front of the Consulate. No violence, safe and organized party. They left at 12:10 p.m.

Family and friends, as horrible as it may sound, please be known that we are well and safe. However, this will make Sam the youngest refugee in Medan. We will keep you posted.

Please excuse the quality of the picture of the scene. Picture was taken when we rushed into the car with a toddler and an infant in hands.