Friday Photo: Expect the Unexpected
Posted on July 28, 2012 by Jennifer Wolfe
loving fiercely | teaching audaciously | thinking deeply
Posted on July 28, 2012 by Jennifer Wolfe
Posted on July 26, 2012 by Jennifer Wolfe
Each time I walk into the lobby I pause and take a touch of aromatic oil for my hands. It’s a little lift to my senses, a special gift I give myself. It helps me get ready for this amazing experience.
Posted on July 26, 2012 by Jennifer Wolfe
Despite what you might think, I’m actually quite a homebody. Whenever I travel I have certain requirements that I’ve learned really make the difference between a good trip and a disaster. They’re not too much to keep me from experiencing the local culture, but they sure make life a lot easier when I’m trying to navigate a new culture, language, customs and country.
One of them is coffee. I’m on the island of Java, but the hotel rooms only serve instant java, which makes my stash of American grounds a godsend. After teaching all morning in the humidity, I’ve also felt grateful for the Starbucks in the mall adjacent to the hotel.
Another is proper clothing. I like to be comfortable and appropriately dressed, which made packing for teaching in a Muslim country challenging. I’m expected to cover to the elbow, below the knee, and have a high neckline. Yesterday I made a fashion faux-pas and was required to don the school’s version of gym shorts – a kind of pant outfit called a yama. I think they’re mainly used for some sort of yoga.
Reluctantly, I’ll admit I like to be connected. Coming back to my hotel after a long day and finding Facebook messages and blog comments makes me feel like I’m not out here all alone, and the beauty of Skype and FaceTime has allowed me to see my children and keep me grounded.
Indonesia is a beautiful country, rich with traditions and hospitable people. I’m not afraid to know what I want – and to ask for it. I think knowing what we need to be happy is important – and if it helps us experience the richness of another culture, all the better.
Posted on July 25, 2012 by Jennifer Wolfe
Posted on July 24, 2012 by Jennifer Wolfe
Because it was
Sunday, we had arranged special entrance to the school grounds. What delighted us as we walked the campus’
brightly colored, Dutch inspired buildings were the many inspirational signs
hanging from each hallway. Two of my personal favorites were hanging above the English rooms. It continues to impress me just how eager Indonesians are to learn English, and although many signs, menus, and directions use our language, if we look just beneath the surface there isn’t a collective use of or understanding of English among the general population.
We
immediately began snapping photos of the unusual fruits, vegetables and….eels? Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a bucket
of squirming creatures; a squeal erupted, and was immediately confronted by the
uniformed security guard and told to stop taking photos. Who knew I would break the law in a grocery
store?
We left a
bit disappointed that beer is unavailable in the grocery store here, but
satisfied with our snacks and exhausted from the over stimuli. Although Tangerang appears to be more Chinese
Buddhist than Muslim, the fact that it is Ramadan hasn’t escaped us – the broadcast
prayers in the background above the continually piped in Kenny G
tunes are a constant reminder.