Eight weeks ago, I was welcomed into a very nice Indonesian home. As I struggled hauling two of my suitcases into my new room, I was greeted by a warm Indonesian woman. Little did I know that 8 weeks later this strange house would become my safe little space in a strange new land. Just like my mother did in the US, while I was packing for Indonesia, my Ibu here stood at the entrance of my door silently watching me squeeze as much as I could into two suitcases.
The morning went rather slowly. I woke up at 5:30 as usual and was all packed and ready to leave by 6:30. My counterpart had planned the night before to pick me up at 7, but jam kurat (flexible time) and they picked me up around 8. My ibu set with me in the living room as we both anxiously waited for their arrival. As I shook my ibu’s hands one last time, I salimed (revering handshake by touching the back of the hand to the forehead to show respect to an elder) her and gave her a hug. Although hugs aren’t as common in Indonesia, I felt it was appropriate. My ibu has asked me to visit sometime in the next 2 years and I plan on doing so.
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Peace Corps
This is where I share my journey in the Peace Corps. The contents of this blog are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.
AuthorHi welcome to my blog. My name is Sia and this is my safe haven. This is a place for me to write, journal, and share ideas.
IG @ ms.sia.chang
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October 2016
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