(If you’re interested in what Indonesia naturally sounds like, you can read this.) These are a few songs that have characterized Indonesia for me. The songs that have salvaged my sanity by helping drown out the incessant Katy Perry and Bruno Mars* played by my host siblings. The highlight tracks to a lot of writing, … Continue reading
Tulisanya – write/spell—comes from the word tulis, which means write. Tulisanya usually translates to spell, and it makes me think of tulip lasagna – a totally logical mnemonic. Timon – cucumber – I think of Timon from the Lion King. This is actually logical. Bagaimana – how – makes me think of Benihanas—a mythical restaurant … Continue reading
To kick off Ramadan all of the schools in my area participated in a “Welcome to Ramadan” parade, which started at 7am, Wednesday morning. The younger elementary and middle school students led the parade and the high school students— which includes my school—ended it. As a teacher at the school, I was asked to walk … Continue reading
and definitely NEVER in the Peace Corps. Yay! No Friday classes! I definitely had to rearrange my teaching schedule for that one. Are you going to take a nap? Indonesians get up so early they usually must nap in the afternoon in order to survive the day. Ugh, I have to go to school on … Continue reading
Once upon a time, according to legend, lived a Javanese king who killed a sea snake, which became a rock in Batu Ulo, a beach on Java’s south coast lining the Indian Ocean. In Javanese, Batu Ulo literally means Stone Snake. Here are some photographs from there and from Pasir Putih, a beach in the … Continue reading
Silence is a sound in Indonesia. It’s so rare that you hear it. The first thing that whispers is the wind. It whistles through the trees, strumming blades of grass and scraping dry leaves across dirt roads and crisp ceramic floors. Birds hoot, chime, sing at different volumes and frequencies from varying distances and directions. … Continue reading
That’s what learning is all about where spirituality is concerned: unlearning almost everything you’ve been taught. A willingness to learn and listen. – Anthony de Mello, SJ It is Sunday and there’s an elephant in the room. It’s because of me—of course—but not because I am “American” or not related to this family or because … Continue reading
1. I go many consecutive days without spending any money and I still live well, eat well and have fun. The bad part: Having to spend no money is a big indicator on how much there actually is to do in my very small town. 2. When I treat myself to something non-Indonesian, I go … Continue reading
I came to my new school right on the cusp of graduation and the graduation ceremony. Because my school is a madrasah all female students and teachers must wear a hijab as part of the uniform. As part of the “staff” it would be appropriate for me to wear a hijab also, but because I … Continue reading
(I am posting this from a beautiful hotel near the sea, where I am having a workshop with all of the teachers in my school and with the principle. Not what I had pictured when I joined the Peace Corps…and it’s not helping the “Beverly Hills” image I will describe…but it’s pretty awesome.) After ten … Continue reading
To celebrate the ending of Pre-Service Training, two new languages under progress (bahasa Indonesia and bahasa Madura), new friends and a successful initial integration to my Indonesian culture and host family, I asked my ibu if I could have a pertemuan—a meeting—on the roof. Continue reading
Last weekend we finally had one day to explore Malang. Using the Lonely Planet Indonesia book as a guide, another volunteer and I hit up Malang’s main attractions, which included the Pasar Senggol (Bird Market), Pasar Bunga (Flower Market) and Hotel Tugu, which has an extensive collection of Asian art. Though birds in cages are … Continue reading
Peace Corps volunteers get many praises for going to a different country and facing all the challenges that we do. However, I think the people that have amazed me the most so far are all the host families who are generous enough to open their home to a total stranger—who is also completely different in … Continue reading
While this playlist could be more appropriately titled Angkots, Buses and Walking now that I am in Indonesia, I compiled this list of 14 songs as I prepared to make the epic journey to the other side of the world. I am posting this a little late, but it still applies…and it may be useful … Continue reading
Last Thursday, May 16th, about 22 volunteers ventured to an Arema vs. Mitra Kukar soccer game. We had to endure the hottest bus ride and pretty bad traffic in order to get to Stadium Kanjuruhan, but the game turned out to be pretty exciting and ended with a score of 5 for Arema and 3 … Continue reading
in the land of dragons 