Ever since I had lunch with one of my best teacher friends and her family in a beach side cafe in Banyuwangi, the most eastern province in Java, I had it in my head that Bali – an island with an entirely different culture, religion and ambiance – is only a ferry ride away. In … Continue reading
I’ve resigned to the fact that 27 months is an insufficient amount of time to know any place well. I know I’m still in the dark about a lot of things that make Indonesia special and beautiful. In an effort to quickly learn about things I may be missing –and to get an insider’s perspective— … Continue reading
Centuries ago, the Andes were ruled by the great Inca civilization that believed the Sun to be God. They called this god Inti, and they built their cities and temples in the peaks of the highest mountains so they could be nearer to him. With an awareness that the sun was the source of all … Continue reading
Oh, Cambodia. We got off on the wrong foot, but your charm shined through in the end. Continue reading
Thailand is a tourist’s playground. Getting around is simple and systematic. Travel agents can be found anywhere to help you arrange your transportation to any part of the country, including to its “isolated” islands. They speak good English. A system of planes, trains, buses and boats are coordinated efficiently and filled with tourists from all … Continue reading
The music that characterized the events and cities I passed through in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. (Title links to song.) 1. “The Veldt (feat. Chris James)” – deadmau5 Album Title Goes Here was my album of choice during a sleepless overnight journey from Bangkok to South Thailand. 2. “Save the World (feat. John Martin)” – … Continue reading
During the two-week semester break from our schools, two volunteers and I backpacked across Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. All of us are now back in Indonesia—ready to complete the second year of our Peace Corps service—but upon traveling extensively outside of this country together, I’ve gained a lot of perspective on just how much Peace … Continue reading
A glimpse of a journey too amazing to justly capture through photographs. (For future travelers: Gili T was a great place to chill on the beach -due in large part to Karma Kayak – and to eat good food, but more pristine and desolate islands can be found elsewhere in Indonesia – i.e.: Flores.) Continue reading
I never thought I’d do this, I think amusedly to myself as I climb down a mountain at two in the morning with nothing but moonlight to brighten the darkness. I’m not thinking of scary movies, I keep on thinking, I’m not gonna get bitten by snakes. I’m just gonna get down and sleep in … Continue reading
My last blog post was primarily about exchanging time for money (i.e. jobs), or in my case as a PCV, exchanging time for experiences. However, there’s another element to this thought and that is how time is best spent. I’m generally content with all that I have accomplished in a year in Peace Corps. One … Continue reading
Mold is the ABSOLUTE WORST thing about living in Indonesia. I clean and wipe it off daily and safeguard my clothes and shoes to my best ability and it still grows. I’m over the rainy season. Nothing is ever dry! Does anyone know how to stop this madness?!? Continue reading
Leaving Indonesia after almost a year of Peace Corps was more needed than I could’ve imagined. Right before parting, I was feeling rather irritable at everything here, mostly the food, the rain, the mold and the motorcycles—one, which crashed into me while I rode my bike the day before my trip. (I’m fine, it was … Continue reading
Awhile back, I mentioned that my strategy for dealing with my first Christmas away from home was to ignore it completely, to have it go by as if it were any other day. I’m happy to say this didn’t occur. Spending Christmas in Riung certainly made the holiday different than anything I’ve ever experienced, but … Continue reading
in the land of dragons 