WEEK ONE: AT FIRST GLIMPSE

This portion exposes everything at first glimpse in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

My first glance to the towering Merapi Volcano on board.

My first glance to the Indonesians’ cuisine.

My first glance to one of the prestigious universities in Yogyakarta and

My first glance to the wonderful rich culture and people.

DAY 1 (JANUARY 10): TOUCHING DOWN JOGJA’S RICH CULTURAL ORNATE

Fleeing from Jakarta bound to the Special Region of Yogyakarta commenced around 5 o’clock in the morning. Arrival to Jogja rekindled an enduring trip into an amusement and fascination. The stunning and towering volcano aloft with clouds of Jogja finely drove the wonderful experiences ahead. At the arrival awaits the superb accommodation and warm welcome by the buddies. Stepping down the realms of new land makes me think of no difference to my country of origin. By the tropical climate, green environment, Malayan carved faces of people make me bringing my place to wherever I get into. It’s Jogjakarta, Indonesia!!! But it could have still feel the apparent sense of Capiz in a Muslim country, the only difference was the headscarves and shimmering hijab atop.

We headed to the one of the people’s choice cuisine in the Yogyakarta right after we have been waiting up other SEA Teachers from Thailand and Philippines, the “Soto Bathok” a soto ayam restaurant where our Indonesian buddies once called it “Jollibee in Indonesian version”. Having with my fellow SEA Teachers and buddies in a banquet helps create a gradually proximate friendship.

Day 2 (January 11): KICK-OFF SEA TEACHING

I was like an empty capsule in a culture-vulture situation where I was determined to have a double orientation to myself. This had happened whether I just let my ears listen and imitate to the various splendid plans uttered by my fellow SEA Teachers ahead or make my own standards of objectives and expectations against the underlying challenges ahead and be with myself as possible either.

Carrying CapSU’s name is a dramatic role, not an obligation. It’s a process of realizing what I have been ought to be done and not that following of what matters most. It taught me to realize this undergoing project is kind of life-changing to everyone else, and I must do an exemplar performance in preparation of what I might have to engulf with.

Welcoming Program at the Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) is a living sign that the project had started, this had also been the chance to meet the Rector of the University, prominent persons behind the program and my fellow SEA Teachers from Thailand and from my country as well. We overviewed the duration of our teaching practicum, and we were oriented by the Do’s and Don’ts every facet the program required. We had been toured to the acres of UII by our buddies, asking a million-dollar questions to something peculiar to the eyes could see and expressing the inevitable “WOW” to every facility we’ve visited.

Day 3 (January 12): CITY TOUR

Before we sweep to our destinations, we passed over to a University where every Indonesian student dreams to be part of, the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), it’s the top three most outstanding government-owned university in Indonesia and has seemed that the University manifest the best facilities shown in their massive buildings from the outside.

We headed our first tour to the Sultan’s Palace. Yogyakarta from the outset is a special region in Indonesia due to its titular King. We tried to visit the palace by discovering its history and concept, while every intricate design of the structure made us stunned and became more interested to discover more inside. We had visited every corner of the palace and ask an interesting question to our buddies to gain more facts.

We seconded our tour to the Malioboro street using the “Becak” from the palace. Becak is a public transport of the city where only two passengers could fit inside its small shanty. The driver is located at the back pushing the passengers in front using either motorcycle or a bicycle, a conducive transport to view everything that passes through. Malioboro street has been crowded by the shoppers due to its cheaper prices where you can spend your millions of Rupiah and going back home with unbearable bundles of grocery items and souvenirs.

Day 4 (January 13): RELIGIOUS OBLIGATORY AND REST DAY

Seeking strength and joy while living away from your beloved ones is a heartbreaking struggle. You have to overcome your separation anxiety and eventually conquer your homesickness abroad. As faithful Christian, the utmost list before anything else is to find the church to praise and thank God where I got source all of my strength all throughout my quest, which eventually lessen the feeling of being far from home. Together with my fellow Filipino SEA Teachers, we headed to the most closed Catholic church in the University and ask blessings from the Almighty God.

We have been brought by our buddies to Kopi Klotok, one of the tourist spots in Jogja where the astounding panoramic view of Merapi Volcano is found. We joined the tourists taking shots to the view of volcano and indulged in the stimulating smell of Indonesian cuisine.