I am taking advantage of the internet at Universitas Muhammadiya Malang to post a few pictures during our lunch break! Today all the PC trainees are together for various workshops. Here are a couple glimpses into my new life here in Indonesia – more to come soon!
Desa is the bahasa Indonesia word for “village,” and since Saturday I have been living in the desa of Tulungrejo, located in the beautiful region of Malang.
I keep having moments when I think, “I can’t believe I am really here!” My experience so far has ranged from amazing to almost unbelievable. Just two nights ago I stood in the middle of the street in front of my new home surrounded by children as I flipped through my dictionary, only to discover that the word they kept using to describe the flashing lights in the clouds over the distant mountains was volcano!
The people here are incredibly friendly and hospitable. On my first night my Ibu (host mother) took me around to visit all of her relatives. Every single one was warm and inviting, offering me tea or food. My new favorite saying is “Saya kenyang!” – “I’m full!” There have been awkward moments, of course. I hardly speak the language, which makes for many humorous and some embarrassing moments. On my first day here I was trying to say, “one” (satu), and accidentally said, “shoes” (sepatu). Everyone laughed and was having a great time, but when I tried to make a joke about “satu sepatu,” I was met with blank stares. This happened again when I was trying to say a little boy wearing a hat looked cool (keren). When I pointed to the hat and said, “keren!” they just looked at me and said, “No, hat.” Ah the joys of learning a new language!
But, our many miscommunications aside, everyone has been so friendly and so helpful to me. Hopefully in three months I will be able to tell them how much I appreciate everything they have done for me!
My Ibu is my go-to for basically everything. And she gives me a big ego boost by praising everything I do that shows I can take care of myself. I asked her, in my very broken bahasa Indonesia, to show me how she hand-washes clothes. After demonstrating each step, the whole family came to watch me. With huge smiles across their faces, they kept saying, “anda bisa!” – “you can!” Later that evening when I was walking around the desa with Ibu, she told every relative we saw about how I had learned to wash my clothes and what a good job I had done.
I have had so many new experiences here, and there are so many things that I look forward to telling you about. Pictures are coming soon – I need a little more time to upload pictures on the internet here. I’ll post again soon!
I have arrived safely and soundly in Indonesia, and have spent the past few days floating along atop a tidal wave of information – I’ve made the (first) plunge! After clearing customs, I was bussed along with the other trainees to our hotel in Surabaya. Since arriving here our days have been filled with language classes and information sessions where we are learning everything we will need to know to survive our first few weeks in Indonesia. I have learned that Indonesians are extremely kind and hospitable, mosquitos are my worst enemy, and that (supposedly) it is possible to live without toilet paper. On Saturday we will go to our training communities where we will spend the next months adjusting to and exploring our new lives before our swearing in.
Because we have spent most of our time in the hotel, I haven’t seen a whole lot of Indonesia yet, but I’m sure moving in with my host family on Saturday will change that!
I’m not sure what my internet situation will be for the next few weeks, but I will be in touch as much as I can – I can’t wait to share my experiences with you! For now, Sampai Nanti – see you soon!
I am currently sitting in the hotel lobby of San Francisco’s Union Square Marriot. I have just finished my Peace Corps Staging Orientation, and tomorrow morning I will head out on my long (very long) journey to Indonesia. It is exciting and nerve racking.
People often talk about how travel prepares us to better handle the world around us – it teaches us to be flexible as we adapt to the challenges of unfamiliar surroundings and uncontrollable circumstances. But it recently occurred to me that it also teaches us how to handle ourselves.
Almost six years ago I left my family for the first time to travel to Germany where I would live with a host family for a year. I remember that in those first few moments after saying goodbye, and in the first few days and weeks of separation and newness, I was overwhelmed by so many emotions and so much anxiety. It was a tough time and a very difficult transition. But through that experience, and those I have had since then, I have learned so much about myself. I have learned when to trust my emotions and when not to rely too much on my ever-changing feelings. I have learned to go to bed when I am tired, and that things really will look better in the morning. I have learned that if I push myself and be patient through the hard times, through the uncomfortable moments, my patience will usually be rewarded with cross-cultural and inter-personal experiences that are utterly beyond price. I have learned to give myself the gentleness and space that I need.
Travel teaches us about the world and it teaches us about ourselves. My hope for my trip to Indonesia and all my experiences there is that it will be an education in individuals, community, culture, nation, world, and myself.
I don’t know what my internet situation will be for the next few weeks, but I will keep you as updated as I can! Please send good vibes, wishes, and prayers my way – I can’t wait to tell you all about my adventures, and I am so glad that you are coming along for the journey! See you soon!
Worth a Journey 