As I'm rapidly learning this new language, I remind myself everyday that nothing happens overnight. I am anxious to have a conversation full of emotion and meaning with my teachers. They are some of the most amazing people I have ever met and I want to be able to say that to them. But it looks like that's going to have to wait for a few years.
On the days when I don't feel at home (because I'm not) and am a complete stranger and tourist, I have been reflecting on patterns in my life from moving to new places. Consistently it has taken me 6 months to truly call a place my home. To feel comfortable and have a solid group of people to call my own. I get the privilege to remind myself that even though I'm stationary right now, I'm still traveling. I still have hurdles and new adventures to go on before I get home.
So I am savoring Yogyakarta while I still can. Alam Bahasa, my language school, takes us on field trips after studying for a certain amount of hours. Today I got to go to the Candi Borobudur Temple. It was the first time I got to leave the city and would you believe it, it is beautiful out there.
The temple is an hour drive from school. The drive seems like one big blur. There is so much to look at; immense rice fields being planted and harvested, small derelict houses, large mansions, warungs, gerobaks, restaurants, stores, kiosks, entire families on one scooter, 10 people sleeping in the back of a speeding and darting dump truck, a semi truck without a shell - just an engine, frame, gas pedal, steering wheel and a seat, and beautiful green, lush scenery.
When my new job was being explained to me earlier this year, my boss explained to me that the job title that would best fit was; 'surfer of chaos'. I believe that I am living up to that title every day. I am blown away at the amount of people that live here and all the different ways they survive. It is intriguing and spectacular. The people are incredibly industrious and sustain the chaos on a thin, thin line.
The temple was an nice exhale from all the chaos. Sure, there were lots of people there too, but not as many. Everybody was there for the same purpose as well, to appreciate an amazing piece of art.
This structure was enormous and had amazing detail. There were thousands of statues and carvings to look at. There are elephants and an amazing view of the valley and mountains surrounding the temple.
After hustling my way around the Temple and it's enormous steps with my guru (teacher), Mbak Yettik, we returned to the chaos. There is a huge market outside of the temple gates and shop keepers are in your face demanding you buy their products. Which are all terrible souvenirs likely made in China. I did cave on one thing though, Kelapa muda.
They chop up a coconut for you when you order, stick a straw in it, & set a bottle of palm sugar syrup on the table. Boom. Done. If I could live off of fruit, I assure you, I would do so.
I have never felt so spoiled in my life as I do here. I still have 2 more field trips to go on next week and a cooking class to take. I have one more event with AFJ and a couple of museums to attend. I get to eat food that is good everywhere you go, wether it's been sitting on a table all day or if it's a bowl of unidentifiable mush. After all that, I get to spend 2 days in Bali.
WHAT?!
As my imminent departure from Jogja is closing in on me, I am getting excited for what lays ahead. I will be happy to be out of the city and back into the woods. Until then, I'll be here studying and eating fried chicken.