I was able to go to a volcano flow- riding the whole way on the back of a motor- it was phenomenal. Turn one way, you see a seriously huge volcano that God created: turn the other, you see a serene view of Jogja, which hasn't been touched by the volcano.
*They believe that the sea goodness- as far as I know -has kept it from touching them, and will continue too. The volcano is the most active in the world, erupting at least once every ten years. The last time, it was in 2006 and only two people died, because they forgot to close the outside door to the bunker right next to the moountain.
That was so awesome.
On the motorbike, I had two upsets- the two that scorched my leg like a ball of fire touched it, and the two that happened one after the other. Which turned into blisters and have popped and hopefully are now healing- but you can see blood vessels, kind of freaky, but i'm not that worried. Just putting cream upon cream on it :)
The house I was staying in, I had to dip a bucket into a well-looking thing, and pour it over my body for a shower- go third world showers :) If you've never done that- you need to. Because that was a lot different than anything. I had a boiled water with a bucket, cold water with a bucket, and then a cold shower with a showerhead. I brushed my teeth in the shower- which we do in Jakarta -and there was no toilet paper, we had to buy some. Same as in the public bathrooms too- it wasn't there either, and they were squat toilets. Which I actually had no idea how to use.
I did have AC though :)
I went to the Sultan's Palace, which was in the middle of Jogja, and I learned all about how Jogja is actually a Sultan's kingdom. He has two different courtyards- one for commoners to enjoy if they have a couple thousand Rupiah, and one for people who are invited and important- which is where they held weddings.
The Sultan had a vision that he needed to build a city, and then he got followers, and defended against the Dutch, and his city became Jogja.
He also has a Water Palace. The Sultan sometimes is a poligamist (sp?) and so at his Water Palace, he watched the dancers, and then they all went swimming. He would pick one of the dancers and then take her to his private pool- this was after having probably a couple wives, and yes--it would go from there.
I went there too.
Right close by to the Sultan's Palace, was Malioboro Street- one of the cheapest streets we know of in Indonesia, as far as I'm aware. It was incredible.
After going the streets behind Yohana on the motor and seeing all the different things- including point ZERO, center point of Jogja, we went to the beach. **These are all the days including the fun things**
But this was no ordinary beach, it was the fish market :)
We went to sit down and have some grilled corn with Yohana's family (including Alexia-her 5yr.old daughter-and mom and dad), when at least nine boats came up out of the South Sea and tons of people poured around them. They brought up baby sharks, eels, starfish, and huge stingray and only asked $2.50 US Dollars for them each. It really shows you how the value of a person working in Indonesia is so low. It was amazing, and there was definitely more than one person asking for a photo with me. I think it's the blonde hair.
The beach and ocean itself were amazing. The beach was definitely Indonesian, where no one was swimming- but everyone was there. Because the water downs down so deep so quickly and at the bottom, is the coral- where the sharks hang out waiting for people to get sucked out. But even with all the commotion, and horrible things that could happen- the people still sit down in the water and hang out, risking getting pulled out to sea. Sounds kind of like a risk I know some people at home would take. :) haha.
This beach was phenomenal- out in the village, and next to a "hill" which I would call a mountain, it was so beautiful. So beautiful. Rice terraces, cliffs, a little waterfall. God is so creative.
I also went to a Javanese Catholic Church where the Jesus's around the church were turned Javanese- and was in the uniform of traditional Javanese. It was called the Sacred Heart of Jesus- and I realized here, that Jesus is the same, no matter where or what people depict him to look like, because what he did is the same.
I went up into a little temple- walked up into it, and, prayed, prayed, and prayed. Right behind a lady a little older than myself- and this was with my shoes off. It was so cool.To be up in that temple, looking at a Javanese Jesus, and being able to praise Him and pray to Him just the same :)
We also went to Ibu Dyah (my second host mom)'s language school, which teaches Bahasa to foreigners and English to Indonesians. That was the only place I was able to get wifi, which is why I haven't been able to update you.
I met some awesome new people and I also ate some new foods. My mouth is getting more accustomed to the hot sauce and more accustomed to what this new language sounds like. I can understand conversations and I can understand what will be hot or not.
Things for you to try:
Tempe- a soybean, flour delicious thing
Jackfruit- a delicious fruit that's yellow and about as hard as a pear
I'll think of more and get back to you.
Overall, the experience was phenomenal- super phenomenal.
But the three things I learned with God, were even more so:
1. how God wants me to strengthen and inspire the people here, by being an example of God's hands and feet
2. that I need to be aware of the spiritual warfare that is going on here in Indonesia: including the things I bring home- which I prayed over, and prayed over my room, and over the places we passed in Jogja. In Jogja more than Jakarta, I've felt spiritual warfare. But being aware of it more important than anything.
3. how much God's incredible love is my oxygen here, more than anything else. So incredible- for one whole night, I lived on it. When I learned that my Uncle is in the hospital and I had no outside communication, that night, more than anything- I needed His oxygen, and on His love, on the love that was shown through letters I read and the Bible- I was completely okay.
Those three lessons, in six days- made every single thing I saw and experienced and every moment of my beautiful green time in Jogja more important and phenomenal :)
Today- I was able to go with Dasha: from Russia, and Ailien: from Argentina- to see how there is so much marine potential here in Indonesia, we went on a boat with people from the Rotary, and it was so amazing because I felt God's love, I was able to love those two girls like they were on the swim team, and I felt so loved by them, it was unreal- and we had a blast. Photos will be on facebook as soon as I get the chance. I'll be going to bed after I finish writing this.
Tomorrow morning I have my third day of school, and I'm completely ready to love. I'm ready- I'm with God, for new expereinces and new adventures and God's crazy love to fall all over me :)
all day long.
that's what I'm praying for each of you.
I love you all- sleep well tonight.