Adventures in Java

Java

Day 3 

Today we had class and then visited the market and mall. We purchased clothes, shoes, purses, wallets, and souvenirs ranging from 1 dollar to about 10 dollars after bargaining of course. The mall had 5 stories full of Western and Indonesian stores. The mall also contained a Dunkin Dougnuts and KFC! The mall was so large that a couple stores had more than one shop on different floors. 

Day 4 and 5

We visited the Buddhist Temple Borobudur. It was huge and very interesting to see the architecture. Although Java is mostly Muslim, Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world and is visited by people of all religions. It was built in the 9th century and has recently gone through a lot of restoration. 

About to climb Borobudur Temple

At the top of Borobudur

Borobudur Buddhist Temple

We also moved into our homestay families in Java. We will stay with them for 10 days. My family consists of a mother and father, grandmother, niece, and two younger brothers. One brother is 15 and can speak some English. My youngest brother is 6 and hides from me. However, when I go into my room, he runs up and down the halls screaming and playing soccer. My room is in the middle of the house. It is very different from Bali. In Java the houses are connected unlike Bali consisting of many different buildings on the complex. 

My bathroom has a toilet with toilet paper! Success. Unfortunately, I have to take bucket baths again. I can do it! 

The mother picked me up from the director's home wearing her hijab. However, Friday morning she woke me up and did her house work without the hijab. It is interesting that she is the only female in the family that wears a hijab. The grand mother and niece do not wear one. So far living with a Muslim family is not any different from a Hindu family. Both are very loving, both love to laugh, both have lots of food, and both have moms that love taking care of me. 

Tonight (Friday) we are spending a lot of time with our families. 

This weekend we are exploring Java. All of our home stay houses are within walking distance.  Tomorrow night one family is having a party. They told us to expect live music and karaoke. We are all very excited. 

Dah-Dah (bye bye) for now. 

Lots of love, Kak Shelly