Howdy all!
So where we left off, I had just come back from Jakarta after mine and Tim's adventure to the Australian Embassy to exercise our civil duty! On Saturday, it was a day of relaxing before meeting up with the boys: Joel, Tim, Gio and Matt to help them find some purple clothes for our friend's/the ACICIS program Manager's farewell party down south at Jl. Prawirotaman. It was a really fun night since we were all dressed up in Purple clothing and both old and new ACICIS students having a drink together. Very reminiscent of home! Of course, where there is alcohol, also brings games of "Would you rather" or "Never had I ever". The result, to put it politely, an education in fun facts that were both entertaining and eyebrow-raising to say the least :P
The lovely farewell party at Bu Ira's beautiful guesthouse ended and we were all off to an Indonesian bar called Lucifers. I found this highly ironic name since we are currently in the most holy and revered month of the Indonesian calendar - Ramadan. Our little crew of ACICIS students, that being: Sophie, Alex, Katrina, Maryke, Joel, Tim, Dimas, Sam, Matt and I, embarked on our first journey to an Indonesian night club or Dugem. No idea what that is abbreviated for though!
To be honest, the nightclub in Yogya was actually a lot of fun. It wasn't as busy as it usually was but at least the music was upbeat and followed through with a live band at about 1am. Nothing like a bit of Bob Marley mashed in with Lady Gaga and of course, the typical dancing on the speakers. Joel and I were left as stragglers at the club as everyone mysteriously disappeared. I later found out that they had made their pilgrimage to Macca's so for that, I was glad I missed out by default.
Sunday was a mixture of sleeping in, cleaning my room, picking up my laundry and checking out a Shotokan karate class with on of my teman kos, Tita. That was a lot of fun to learn a discipline that although similar to mine, it was still completely different. I was also treated to the feeling of sweat literally pouring out of you but sadly, it was more due to the sheer humidity rather than exertion. I think I'll keep it up regularly but have some links to Pencak Silat (An Indonesian Martial Art) and Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing except not so big on the crazy conditioning rituals) to check out and try. After class, Tita and I went and had dinner together. The food was delicious except for the confronting moment of poverty.
After our meal of bakso, I had left some noodles and fat from the soup and a lady came up to me to ask for some money before pointing to the food and asking if she could finish off, as well as give it to her small child. Being in such a state of shock, I could only merely utter a "Ya boleh Bu" and leaving the warung (food stall). In hinesight, I am so ashamed of my blatant ignorance, as well as not even offering to buy her and her child a meal. I mean, I did give her some money prior to her request for the remains of my meal but that still is pretty poor on my part. This experience, although meagre, has inspired me to get involved with some of the local NGO's here whilst I'm in Yogya. I only hope that if I am in a situation similar, I'll react with a more encouraging response than shuffling a few notes awkwardly.
My post now brings us to Monday and my first attempt at Puasa (fasting from food and drink from the hours of daylight, a Muslim ritual during Ramadan). I awoke at 3:30am and ate Sahur (first meal of the day) with my teman Kos, Dita and Novi. Despite our fatigue and nonchalance to food, we managed to drink some juice and eat some roti (bread). It was pretty tough seeing as my body's knee-jerk reaction was just to roll over to sleep once more, rather than feed it. I was grateful that I did eat something as all day, all my body was craving drinking, more so than eating.
Fasting or Puasa was definitely food for thought. Throughout the day, it made me realise that sometimes as Westerners, we forget the true meaning of food. Of course, food is for sustenance and a means for survival but it is also a privilege to have, as well as a great opportunity for community. In Indonesia, the time of breaking fast is such a communal event and full of colour and vibrance. This evening, my fellow housemates Dita and Novi, along with their friends from uni alongside my friends from uni, ate together in a Malaysian warung. It was a truly wonderful night, eating many delicious flavoured roti canai; some with curry dipping sauces, banana and cheese ( truly delicious, contrary to the combination), egg and of course, Chicken rendang and nasi lemak! Also no Malaysian experience would be complete without - Teh Tarik!!
Dinner tonight was definitely an eye-opening experience to how we as Australians can benefit from living like an Indonesian, even for just a day. Most of my Aussies friends joined in the fasting and were just as eager to eat alongside our new Indonesian friends while they explained the importance of fasting in Islam. They explained to us that there are many reasons why they fast: for health reasons to rest the body from over-consumption in the world, as a test of mental endurance, to empathise with those facing poverty each day and a chance to celebrate the time when you can eat for we are so fortunate to do so. I think it is also a chance for the Indonesian cuisine to burst to life with various sweets, drinks and food that are only during Ramadan too :P
I thought that to end this post, it would only be fitting to show off my new helmet that I bought since I have been and will continue, to be on the back of motorbikes in this country. Can't decide whether I look like a power ranger, a robot or an astronaut? Either way, my face feels pretty safe :)
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