Elephant Safari Park

Just some pictures from the latest adventure at the Elephant Park. We went on a  30 minute elephant ride and played with  lots of monkeys that wanted to hold our hand and play with our hair! 

Its 1935 in Bali!

We have been back in Bali for a week now. We have been working on our art projects and working on our Indonesian speaking skills. I decided to make batik for my art project. I spilt a lot of hot wax on my hand and canvas. However, the teacher was able to melt the wax off.

We are enjoying being close to Ubud again. There we can have a little western food and visit the market. Our favorite restaurant is a Mexican restaurant of course!

We also visit a spa where we stuck our feet into a tank and the fish ate the dead skin off of our feet. It was incredibly weird, but my feet were much smoother afterwards.  

We visited the south side of the island and went to dreamland beach on our free weekend. I swam in the Indian Ocean for the first time! I must say I miss the beach of South Carolina. The beaches of Bali are polluted and covered with salespeople. Since it is the rainy season the rivers are overflowing and pouring into the ocean all of the trash. I see tourists and locals throw trash on the ground all of the time. I didn't like swimming with trash all around me. The Salespeople range from toddlers to great grandparents selling massages, bracelets, jewelry, ice cream, baskets, just about anything you can think of. I recently learned that the children selling on the beaches are often forced to sell instead of attend school and receive a lot of abuse from tourists, parents, and bosses. I admit I was annoyed when I was awoken from my nap to buy a bracelet, but for these people, it is the only lifestyle that they know. They feel they have no other choice than to travel beach chair to beach chair asking for business.  

The Monday and Tuesday after our free weekend were very eventful. Monday was the last day of 1934 in Bali. Yes, you read that right, 1934. They know it is 2013, but as Hindus they also recognize the year 1934 or 1935 now. On monday afternoon everyone dressed in the sarongs and headed to where their village was meeting. There are 6 villages in Bedulu. We met up and paraded through the streets to a lot. In our parade included a gamelan, and too ogoh-ogoh. These are made out of styrofoam and are huge demon looking like statues that are carried by men. Young boys carry the small ogolo and the older boys or men carry the large one. Each village processed through Bedulu one at a time to the lot. The Ogoh-ogoh are intended to scare off the bad spirits. That night the ogoh-ogoh processed back through the town where fire blowers and music was blasted. The entire village and some from other villages joined. Over a loud speaker someone told a story while the ogolos spun in circles and were swung around. It was a sight to see and lasted for hours. 

Tuesday... 

Tuesday marks the first day of 1935! However, at 6 am, all electricity is turned off. No one is allowed to leave their family compound until 6 am the next day. This marks 24 hours of no cars, no motorbikes, and no lights throughout Bali. Police patrol the streets and fine locals and tourists who break the rules. This day is meant to convince spirits to leave. There are also no flights coming in or out of Bali. 

So what do you do all day?

Well i slept. Literally ALL day. I woke up feeling sick and stayed in bed all day. The day is meant to spend with your family and just get a break from your everyday life. My Bapak went to work at 4am on Tuesday and had to stay until after 6 the next day. He works at a hotel and tourists still eat even when everywhere else is silent. 

Now what do you do if you are sick and need to go to a doctor? 

Well I would have liked to go to the doctor... I couldn't swallow and I was too dizzy to walk. But there is nothing open unless you are literally dying. There is an emergency transport to the hospital, but other than that... Everyone is stuck.

The night of the Nyepi, the rat that lives in my room decided to make an appearance. I saw him climb into my closet and on the floor. When I opened the closet door he ran across my room. I later discovered he has eaten some crackers that were in my purse. He won't be living with me much longer especially if I find some holes in my clothing. 

The rest of the week is full of classes, art projects, and preparing to move into the village next week. 

Dah-Dah (bye bye) for now. 

Lots of love, Kak Shelly

Saying Goodbye

On Thursday we had an inter-faith discussion with the Indonesian students. There was a huge turnout. They had many questions and we attempted to answer them un-biased and fairly. Thursday night was the last night with our families. My cousin, Nysa gave me a little cat figurine. I had told her about Charlie and the cat that I played with at the Pesantren. She also gave me a beautiful bracelet. My mother gave me some batik fabric to make a shirt or clothing once I returned to America. 

On Friday we packed our belongings and headed to UGM for our midterm. Since our final month is spent doing independent projects, we only have one more month of group classes. The midterm was on everything we have experienced while we have been in Java.

Saturday was a lounging day. We slept in and enjoyed the air conditioning in our hotel. 

Saturday afternoon we headed to the village to get ready for our dance performance at the final party. We looked ridiculous with the drawn on eyebrows and dark makeup. However, our families loved every second of our dancing. 

I passed my mom in the car on the way to the restaurant and she ran up to the car to shake my hand. 

At the final party of Java, students, faculty, and family members from Java ate, danced, and sang together. It was very difficult to say goodbye. Tears streamed down my cheeks and my mother and cousin told me they loved me. They wanted me to stay at their house one last time.

I hope to visit Java again before I leave Indonesia. They have offered me their home and their family. 

Tomorrow we head back to Bali and our Balinese Families. I look forward to seeing my little sisters, but I already miss my family here in Java. 

Dah-Dah (bye bye) for now. 

Lots of love, Kak Shelly

From Left to Right, 

Nysa (Cousin), Ibu, Me, Novan (brother), Bapak

Far Right

Kindi (brother)

Embracing Java

Wednesday was packed with activity. After our Indonesian class, we headed for a hotel that gave a lecture on making batik. We then made our own t-shirt design, and tried out batik. We made handkerchiefs. Batik is a lot harder than it looks. The wax is hot and pours out of the pen very fast. But... I LOVE IT! I am switching my art project in Bali to Batik. I am also still taking a jewelry making class.

my design turning blue

We then headed back to Godean village for dinner and dance class with our families. We have to perform on Saturday at our going away party in front of a lot of people. Java dance is very fun, but we look ridiculous. Don't worry, the performance will most likely be recorded...

When I returned home Kindi was drawing in the coloring book I bought him. He played with it for about 4 hours. I also saw him draw on four or five of the house walls... Maybe that is why he didn't have crayons before?

Earlier in the week, Markie bought a guitar from the market. I asked Nysa (cousin) if she could give us a couple of pointers and she said Wednesday was good for her! Nysa surprised us by inviting over a couple of her guitar playing friends. Family friend and Novan's English teacher joined the party with her sister as well as my mom, Kindi, Markie, Alex, and another neighbor. We played American and Indonesian songs and sang along. They helped us with our Indonesian and I we tried to help Novan with his English. 

We then asked Nysa and her friends if they could help us with the presentation we were preparing for the next day. It is on religion in America. They agreed and asked several questions beginning with... Indonesia has 5 religions, but America only has 1. We were stunned. They thought everyone in America was Christians. Their next question was what do Americans think of Muslims after the terrorist attacks. They were very pleased when we explained that Americans are not anti-Islam and that it is only a small group of ignorant Americans that group all Muslims with the terrorists. 

We continued to talk about religion and the differences in America. Later in the night, a neighbor asked me what i knew about Islam. He asked me to compare it with Christianity. I was terrified I would make a wrong assumption or comparison. However, he seemed pleased when I stated I thought of Muslims as peaceful people and that I could recall how Islam began. He continued to quiz me for the remainder of the evening on my knowledge on Islam and my pronunciation of Indonesian words. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Java. I feel as though I have known my Muslim family for years. They have helped me learn everything about their lifestyle and religion. I am grateful that God placed me with such a loving family that has been understanding of my Christian beliefs. We embraced our differences and formed a bond on a mutual understanding of love and a belief in God. 

Dah-Dah (bye bye) for now. 

Lots of love, Kak Shelly

Java

My Java Family:

My mom's name is Endah and my dad's name is Sigit. The grandmother's name is Sadiyat. 

My 6 year old brother's name is Kindi. Kindi loves soccer and to run around the house. He is still shy around me, but I can always hear him throughout the house. He has posters of his favorite soccer team from Barcelona on his walls. 

Novan is my 15 year old brother. He is usually at school or hanging out with his friends. He is a typical teenager. He can speak some English  and plays the guitar.

Nisa is a cousin of Novan and Kindi, but she lives with the family. She attends college at a local university and is 22 years old. She found me on facebook and twitter within 24 hours of my arrival. She can also speak some English and has helped me adapt to Java. 

My house in Java is cozy and welcoming. In the past days we have attended a lot of class. Saturday night we attended a village party involving karaoke. They then woke us up at 5 am on Sunday morning to take a walk around the village. It was 3 kilometers and lead us to the communal graveyard that holds hundreds of victims from the eruption a couple of years ago. Several gravestones read Mr X or Mrs X because the bodies were too deformed to identify. We appreciated the village opening up to us and showing us where their loved ones are buried. 

At every event in the village there have been prizes. The prices are generally kitchen tools, containers, water bottles, or glass bowls. Half of the time the children win the prizes and end up giving them to their parents. My number was drawn at the walk and I won a glass bowl.  The Dean of UGM then lead us around the village to visit a dagger maker, weavers, and purse makers. We got to experience first hand the life of an artist. That afternoon we were also supposed to attend a dance show, but I accidentally fell asleep and missed the show. I slept through the night for a total of 14 hours. 

On Monday we visited a Pesantren (Islamic Boarding School). The 3000 students remain at school for 24 hours a day. They wake up at 3:30 am to begin studying the Quran and go to sleep at 10pm every night. The boys were shy but the girls loved showing us around their campus and taking pictures with us. 

Missing my cat Charlie at home, I found a cat laying on the gravestone of the founder. I picked the cat up and held her for about 20 minutes. The students couldn't understand why I liked cats and why I wasn't afraid. The cat seemed sick and possibly pregnant. She purred in my lap and cried when I left. I hope the students will pet her now that I showed them she is nice. I tried to take her with me, but (lucky for you mom and Charlie), no one would loan me a bag. 

On Tuesday we had class followed by a lecture on Christianity in Indonesian. The speaker asked if we thought Indonesia was religious. He stated:

“You are not religious just because you are raised in a religion... You are religious if it affects your life... Do you see your neighbors as your brothers and sisters? If no, then you are not religious.”

We then visited a Catholic Church in Java. It was beautiful. They had the typical Javanese Gamelan and beautiful green architecture. A temple also rested on church grounds. 

Tuesday night, we went to the Ramayan Ballet. It was awesome to hear the live music and the story. We all loved the costumes. The Ballet only sat about 1000 people so every seat had a great view. 

Today we are making batik shirts. 

We will only be in Java for 4 more days and then we are headed back to Bali.  

Dah-Dah (bye bye) for now. 

Lots of love, Kak Shelly

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

Orientation in Java

Day 1 of Java:

We attended a lecture on Buddhism at the local University in Indonesia. The professor gave a 45 minute talk and expected us to know everything. Luckily I have had a Religions of the World class at Wofford and was able to follow along easily and form questions. It was interesting that he described things in Sanscript but we were very confused. 

He had several interesting quotes including, "We are all very different but we believe in the power of love"

We then had a lecture on etiquette in Java. In Bali, it is rude to point, or look into someones eyes for longer than a second. You also learn to not touch people of the opposite sex or the hair of someone you are not close with. You must always shake or hand things with the right hand because the left is considered dirty and is used to wipe after using the restroom. (Indonesians do not use toilet paper). 

Indonesian "family" includes father+mother+children+grandparents+grandchildren+nephew+niece+cousins. It includes everyone. The professor said if she has late lectures, its okay. she knows her children will be taken care of. They live n the same compound. They share houses, responsibilities, and food. It is a lot like the Strickland Family. Living on land next to each other and sharing everything. I must say the Strickland compound is much bigger than the houses they live in. 

In Java we are spending the first 3 days in a hotel. This is not a Hyatt but a hotel with small beds, a fuzzy tv, and a toilet. I opted for the extra mattress on the ground because the comforters on the beds had lots of stains. I can tell I have already changed a lot. My standards are very different. For example, I am not comfortable in the hotel... But I can deal with the unworking air conditioning, crack in the door, and holes in the walls. It is a typical Java hotel. The floor is considered a wet floor because it doesn't separate the shower and toilet but all the water goes on the ground into a drain. 

Day 2

We arrived at the University, practiced our Bahasa Indonesian and then met in a large room to have a forum with other students in Java. The topic was American and Indonesian Youth Culture, Politics, Religion, Immigration, Education, Public Health Care, and the Environment. We sat in front of professors, graduate and undergraduate students, and reporters and presented our topics. Mine was Immigration and Tourism. After our talks we had a question and answer period. 

I believe the forum allowed for some understanding between all of the students. 

Since Java is largely Muslim, we were questioned on the view of Muslims in America since 9/11. I stressed the overall acceptance of Muslims in America and the unfortunate misunderstanding of relating terrorists to all Muslims. They appreciated our honesty and were interested in our personal opinions on our government practices in America. For the most part, we all remained unbiased and pointed out positive and negatives about many parts of the United States. 

We then had lunch where we were interviewed again and mingled with local students for several hours. They were very interested in our lives, America, and our interest in Indonesia. 

We have another forum next week on religion. After spending several weeks with a Hindu family and an upcoming week with our Muslim homestay families, it is interesting to observe the acceptance of religion in Indonesia. 

Indonesian Professors at the Forum

Ad discussing the upcoming Forums

We meet our families THURSDAY and visit the market and mall today!!

Dah-Dah (bye bye) for now. 

Lots of love, Kak Shelly