From the introduction to a governmental report, “The State of Bamboo and Rattan Development in Indonesia”:
Approximately 60 to 80% of the world rattan demand comes from Indonesia. Over the last five years, Indonesia has produced about 120,000 tons of rattan material with the total export volume of approximately 80,000 tons annually, and domestic consume of about 35% of the total rattan production.
40,000 tons? Let’s see. How much does an average cane weight? Two ounces? Quick maths: that’s a billion canes per year. So if you see any Indonesian lasses sitting uncomfortably, you know why.
What? you mean rattan has other uses? But what a waste…
Abel: You know I ordered a couple of canes from a supplier on your side of the world. He emailed back to say that shipping would be as much as the canes and perhaps I ought to purchase them closer to home. Perhaps Malaysia. I emailed back and thanked him but said that since you were currently there I doubted that there were any canes left for purchase at that time, and that I’d probably be back to him. But if you happen to know of a supplier in Indonesia I’m all ears. (or even better Australia.)
LOL! Furniture, I suppose.
I’m half watching this Friday’s QI quiz on BBC2 and, as ususal, the show is bouncing around various topics. The current topic is the Giant Panda and the discussion moves on to its diet of bamboo. Then, out of the blind side, dashes Stephen Fry with a statement that bamboo is very versatile and there are over 5000 uses for the product.
Alan Davies goes on earnestly about the Chinese using it as scaffolding when again Stephen Fry cuts in again and says that it is used to give boys at school a damm good thrashing and off we went down the rabbit hole discussing his beatings at school.
I think reading this site has now sensitised me to Startles and I’m seeing them everywhere. Now you follow up with this post.
What?! I missed that bit! Damn it, this is what happens when I wander off to make a cup of tea.