It's been a busy month and I know some have been wondering if I've just disappeared! During the past month, I've given a seminar on Professional Development in the US, been a judge at a speech contest, along with some friends who visited, and gave a workshop in East Java. Of course I've managed to fit in some fun along the way too! It's also the end of the semester for my university so I've been saying goodbye to students and giving final exams.
I went to a Javanese wedding with Kun, the RELO Assistant for my program, and a friend. The wedding had many similarities to a wedding in the States, except of course for the style of dress, the enormous amount of makeup the bride AND groom wear, the bride and groom only kiss on the cheek and then shake hands (it is a contract after all right?), and no dancing at the reception.
Last week I headed to Jakarta, a place I promised myself I wouldn't go unless I absolutely had to! But this time I was able to appreciate what the city has to offer and not just see the poverty, pollution, and endless traffic jams. I had great dinners.......Italian and Mexican, went to posh shopping malls, and was overwhelmed at the variety of crafts from all over Indonesia at a huge handicraft market.
From Jakarta, I was supposed to catch a flight to Medan, Sumatra, but because of a ridiculous amount of traffic I missed my flight. So I wasn't able to do my workshop in Medan, but have to say that I did have a great time in Jakarta.
Then I flew to East Java where I met up with other fellows in my program. Immediately after getting off the plane in Malang, I noticed that the air was much cooler. We stayed at a great hotel in Malang (Hotel Tugu) which is an ecclectic mix of antique Indonesian style combined with worldly charm. Kendra, who lives in Malang, reserved the "Romeo & Juliet" room for all of us, and we enjoyed a multicourse meal with our own private server and violin player.......it was really romantic, even with 5 women and no men! Of course, all at a wonderful, non-western price!
We then headed to Mt. Bromo, which is one of the "must see" places in Indonesia. Our 4WD vehicle struggled to make it up the winding mountain roads. The scenery was amazing and the temperature even better. The landscape looked like a patchwork quilt, with all sorts of crops growing in the fertile volcanic soil. We all bought hats and gloves as soon as we arrived and thought it was pretty fun that we could be this cold in Indonesia! The photo says it all about Mt. Bromo. We hiked up to the crater of the smoking volcano in the foreground of the photo. It really had the feel of being on another planet, and definitely not the Indonesia we are all familiar with.........lush green rice fields and tropical vegetation.
Now back at home in Jogja, I'm preparing to grade loads of final exams, grade 2 debate finals, prepare a trip to Bali for R&R, and plan my final workshop in Ambon, which is a remote area in eastern Indonesia-where I was originally supposed to be placed. I'll be back in the States in July and can't believe that my time here is almost finished. I definitely have mixed feelings about leaving. As the positions fill here, and I haven't heard anything about my job in the States I'm wondering how things will work out.......
