This list is not in any particular order, but I can't deny that I'll miss the people the most. For starters, the friends who have filled my life with so much happiness and laughter. So many unforgettable holidays, nights out and nights in. So many ridiculous conversations and so many people who have been there for me when things got rough. I've met some of my favorite people in the world in Indonesia and I'm lucky to say I now have amazing friends all over the world.
Aside from friends, I also have colleagues who have made my life so much easier and taught me so much and have always been ready and willing to help when there's a problem.
I will miss everyone from Bu Tina who sells me chicken curry without the chicken and always remembers my order, the siomay lady at Bilka who always notices when I haven't bought siomay in awhile (never got your name but I'll miss you so much), the cute cashier at Pie 33.... I won't forget you guys!
2. The food
Man... gado-gado for lunch all the time, duck, Indonesian curry, siomay every Sunday afternoon, tempeh everywhere,- my life won't be the same without you guys. :( Special mention to Carl's Junior and the Malaysian restaurant at Galaxy Mall- you're not Indonesian but I still love you. My taste buds will greatly miss you all.
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| A time when you can't eat siomay in bed is a sad time for sure. |
3. Easy life
Seriously Indonesia allows you to put off being a real adult. Hate washing dishes? No worries, your maid will do it. Hate washing clothes? You can pay someone a few dollars to do it (or get your maid to do it). Hate cooking? Stop at a food stall and get some rice for $1 or call for delivery (or gojek it) and get whatever food you want delivered to your door. Nothing to worry about, no need to be a real adult just yet.
Plus you don't need to be stressed about being on time. No one is! Take it slow and enjoy not having to worry about much.
4. My students
My students are pretty much the coolest, cutest and most fun kids you'll ever meet and I have so much fun teaching them. The cute things they say are enough to brighten up even the worst days and seeing them improve and learn new things and grow up has been such a blessing. They've taught me so much too such as patience and understanding.
Some of my older students as well have really shown me different ways of thinking and I'm so grateful when a teenager or adult is willing to take the time to explain their world to me. Getting to know so many different people from all different backgrounds has been an amazing blessing.
5. My house
My house (and the people in it) is so amazing. I have a big air-conditioned bedroom, nice showers and a big kitchen. Can't complain. Also got to live with some cool (mostly British) housemates and an adorable kitty. Pretty much paradise right here.
6. Riding a motorbike
Every time I have gone home I have missed that beautiful motorbike and the feeling of cruising through the city. Motorbikes aren't safe in Australia so I would never have one there but I will miss mine so much. I wish I could take me dear NOAHbike everywhere I go.
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| this is actually my previous NOAHbike not my current one |
Indonesia has at least 10 public holidays a year plus at work we get 4 weeks leave plus one week at Ramadan and usually two weeks at Christmas as well as the possibility of taking unpaid holidays between contracts. I've discovered so many amazing places in the three years I've had here- Tana Toraja, Gili Air, Belitung, Lake Toba, Derawan and Bogor to name a few. And...there's still so much left to see. Indonesian is so beautiful.
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| Sunset in Seminyak, Bali |
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| Lake Toba |
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| Kuta, Lombok |
8. Unpredictability
The monotony of day to day life is enough to wear anyone out but things seem to stay interesting. Weird stuff happens literally all the time (hence this blog) and that keeps me interested. I am really suited to this chaotic, messy, unpredictable lifestyle.
It feels like anything could happen at anytime and the things that you couldn't even imagine happen. For example You could wake up one day and find your house is covered in Ash after a volcano 100 km away erupted. You could accidentally meet one of your favorite celebrities at a chicken shop (see point 11). A terrible video of you singing in Indonesian could generate almost 175,000 youtube views despite the fact you can't sing.
There are no limits to this life.
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| Writing your name in volcanic ash |
9. Job
Actually I have an awesome job here. It's not too difficult or demanding most of the time, the kids are amazing, the people I work with are lovely and it is so rewarding. For a first teaching job, I really lucked out. It was the perfect environment to learn in and I got enough variety to really practice my teaching skills.
10. Weather
Man, I've skipped 3 winters and have no idea how I'm gonna cope. First thing I'm buying when I get home are winter coats, boots and thermals! I love this warm weather, especially when it cools off a little in the afternoon and evening and you can just sit outside and enjoy.
Seriously if it drops to 20 degrees I freak out, how will I survive anywhere else?
11. Music
I've watched all my fave Indo bands here- NOAH, Geisha, RAN, Sheila on 7, Slank, Nidji D'masiv and Gigi and looooooove the atmosphere at gigs. I know every photo I see of a NOAH concert is gonna make me want to get on a plane back to Indonesia. Other than that, there's literally music everywhere- often bands play in food courts at malls (not sure that that's a good gig). Even the mall I work next to has it's own theme song and it plays all the time! I'll really miss having music around me all the time.
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| concerts at take away stores don't happen as much as they should in Australia. |
12. The sound of a mosque
You know, lots of people complain about the sound of mosques but I think it's actually beautiful. Excluding the one time Joy and I were in Jepara and it sounded like the mosque was INSIDE our hotel room, I have actually enjoyed the sound of the mosque. The feeling of walking around in the evening as the sun is setting and hearing the mosque at the end of the day is wonderful.
13. Aston Hotel
It might sound silly, but Aston hotel is pretty much the greatest. There's no way I could afford such a fancy hotel in Australia or most other countries so I have thoroughly enjoyed my stays at 5 different Aston hotels. You never fail to make me feel better Aston <3. See you soon...
14. Prices
I like to have choices. When I have a lot of money I'll go to a nice restaurant. If I want to save money I'll buy gado-gado down the street for a dollar. A lot of options = a lot of happiness. In Australia that option does not exist. It's basically cook for yourself or run out of money.
15. GO-JEK
GO-JEK (a motorbike taxi/ delivery service) has been my saviour during many tough times. When I was hung over one morning, I was able to get McDonalds into my system without even leaving my couch (well except to go to the front gate to get my food). Those days when I was too lazy or too tired to drive to work, GO-JEK got me there. And all for the low price of $1.50. Amazing.
16. General happiness
Through all the trials and tribulations, muggings and the initial boy problems, friends leaving and work occasionally being a nightmare- I still see Indonesia as a happy place.
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| Happy in Indonesia since 2011 |
Many people don't know that from when I was 13 until I was 21 I suffered some pretty bad mental health issues and in 2010 finally went through treatment that helped me. I fought so hard because I wanted to go to Indonesia the next year and I needed to be well enough. And honestly, Indonesia's the first place I remember feeling happy and normal.
I felt like I had a second chance because no one knew me and I could be a positive and happy person. It was the beginning of my new life and I'm so grateful for the happiness this country has given me. From the second I landed in Jogja back in January 2011 until now, already 5 years later. Indonesia has made me stronger, more patient, more independent and more able to do what I need to do to be happy.
Thank you Indonesia! I'm so glad I get to live here.
