Even If my mind barely remembers, my heart will never forget.
My one month stay in Indonesia was full of unforgettable memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life. I explored the country's environment, food and community and of course wonderful culture.
Last February 9, 2020 (Sunday), I enjoyed strolling the university with Crystal during the morning. We went to take pictures around the campus.
This is my picture together with Crystal taken last February 9,2020 at the front of the Isola building of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia.
After strolling the campus, we joined Mirei and Brian to play Pandora, escape room game but unfortunately we didn't have the chance to play because the staff said we have to book first. We just went to stroll the city.We went to Paris Van Java Mall to eat but we end up eating at a nearby cafeteria. I felt so full after eating Indonesian food for lunch. We explored Braga and tasted Durian ice cream which Mirei did not like because of the smell. After that, we went to the city hall of Bandung. We felt tired so we went back to the dorm using a Grab car.
It is my first time trying Durian ice cream and for me it's delicious. I will definitely eat again.
This photo was taken last February 9,2020 in a cafe at Braga. I, Crystal, Mirei and Brian ate Durian ice cream. It's funny yet memorable because Mirei didn't like the smell of the Durian .She's funny that time but still I found her adorable haha.
Connecting to Indonesian CULTURE...
Last February 15, 2020, I, together with other participants, the buddies and the interns of OIER went to Saung Angklung Udjo for our excursion. We left the campus at about one in the afternoon. We rode two Grab cars. It rained so hard during our way to the place. But, we arrived safely and witnessed amazing cultural performances and we even had the chance to play the Angklung by ourselves.
Saung Angklung Udjo was established in 1966 by the late Udjo Ngalagena,known as Mang Udjo or Abah Udjo, and his wife, Uum Sumiati. As an art studio, SAU is also a place for art performance, laboratory for art education, and a typical tourism object of West Java, which is based on the value of cooperative. SAU has been realizing the ideals and visions of SAU founder Abah Udjo, who said that Angklung is the art and cultural pride of the Sundanese.
Angklung is an Indonesian traditional music instrument which is made of bamboo. It consists of two to four bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame. The tubes are carved to have a resonant pitch when struck and are tuned to octaves.
In Saung Aklung Udjo, there are also lot of souvenirs that you can buy.
This picture shows me, Crystal, Mirei, Rahma and Pook enjoying looking at souvenirs at Saung Angklung Udjo.
Some of the souvenirs that you can buy at Saung Angklung Udjo.
The pictures below are taken before the shows at Saung Angklung Udjo started.
The picture below shows me looking so happy while watching cultural performances. I cannot hide my amusement towards Indonesian culture represented by their traditional music and dances.
The Performances that We Watched:
1. Wayang Golek
This art performance shows a drama performed by wooden puppets, which resemble human body equipped with their costume. I was amazed by the skills of the puppetter.
This was the picture of Wooden Puppet ( Wayang Golek) Demonstration.
2. Peacock Dance
Peacock dance illustrates peacocks that are mingling in the garden, expressing energetic and vibrant movements peacocks with their amazing feathers. Peacock dance is a form of new creation dance originated from West Java.
This picture shows the graceful dancers showcasing peacock dance with their colorful and beautiful costumes. I was captivated by the elegant performance of peacock dance.
3. Arumba
Arumba is a traditional musical instrument made of bamboo in diatonic tone scale, which produces harmonious and dynamic tone. This musical instrument was invented in 1970's. ARUMBA is the acronym for Alunan for the letter A, Rumpun for the letters RUM, and Bambu for the letter Ba.
This photo shows an Arumba performer. I was energized by the lively sound of the music by the ARUMBA instrument.
4. Angklung Interactive
Angklung Interactive is a session which the audiences play the angklung instrument harmoniously and beautiful melody of song can be made.
This part was my favorite because we really played the Angklung. The audiences played together on the command of the host. It was also my favorite because playing together means unity. We can all together value and appreciate the beauty of the country's culture and preserved it for the future generations. It was the deep meaning behind it for me. Below are some of our pictures with the Angklung.
I also noticed that mostly the performers are youths and children which means for me that there's hope. We can preserved the culture by encouraging the young generation to love and appreciate it.
The last part was singing and dancing together where the performers asked the audience to join them. For me, it symbolized unity also.
After the show at Saung Angklung Udjo, we went to a restaurant to eat Surabi. Surabi is a pancake made of flour and coconut milk. I ordered chicken surabi. I liked it but it easily filled my stomach. I felt so full after eating.
This picture shows me, Brian, Neily and Yusril while waiting our order.
The day ended when we walked to our dorm from the restaurant because it was already near UPI.
The picture shows us walking to UPI last February 15, 2020 in the evening.
Going to a Sundanese Restaurant
Last February 18, we went to a Sundanese restaurant because we were invited by Sir Ahmad, the head of the OIER to have dinner together. We went there in 6 pm using Grab car. It was attended by all Sea Teacher participants,the buddies and the whole Office of International Education and Relations. The food was so delicious but the wonderful stories that we told each other made the night even more memorable.
This was my picture before eating dinner. Did I look like I'm so excited?
This picture shows that I'm attentively listening to Sir Ahmad saying speech before we start our dinner together.
Sir Ahmad asking us to begin eating dinner that time. For me, the plate raising was the signal for go! Just kidding!
I had fun sharing stories with Crystal, Aida and Ghinsaff while eating delicious Sundanese food.
Going to Gracia ...
Last February 28, 2020, I together with the other partcipants, our buddies, the Office of International Education and Relations went to Gracia Hot Spring located at Subang, West Java. It is a nice place for relaxation. We left UPI in the afternoon using the university bus.
The picture shows us, the Sea Teacher participants, the buddies and the Office of International Education and Relations before we left UPI to go to Gracia Hot Spring last February 28.
This picture was taken inside the bus going to Gracia hot spring.
This photo was taken at Gracia Hot Spring. It shows us all before dipping ourselves to the relaxing hot spring water.
It looked liked I'm having fun relaxing in the hotspring water.
The three pictures below show us enjoyingly dipping ourselves in the hot spring water.
Who Let the Dogs Out?
Last February 29, 2020 , I went to a dog cafe at Paris Van Java Mall in Bandung with the all other Sea Teacher participants. I enjoyed the experience because the dogs were so cute and clingy.
This photo shows me, Mirei, Brian and Crystal having fun holding cute and adorable dogs at a dog cafe in Paris Van Java Mall, Bandung last February 29,2020.
This was me having fun cuddling a furry dog.
Crossing the Bandung Roads
Crossing the road in Bandung was so memorable because it was really challenging. Vehicles drove fast and I need to find the right timing to run as fast as I can just to go to the other side of the road. The buddies, Rahma, Neily and Yusril asked me what's the most unforgettable moment of my stay in Bandung. I answered that it's my everyday experience crossing the road. I have to crossed the road everyday just to go to the school because it's outside UPI. Crystal and I cracked a joke that the most powerful part of our body is our hands because it have the ability to make Bandung vehicles stop haha.
I always crossed this road because in the other side is where Borma (supermarket) is located. I bought food and other personal stuffs there.
Nasi Goreng is Life...
Nasi Goreng is one of the famous food in Indonesia. It's Indonesian fried rice. I usually eat Nasi Goreng in a place called Mamah Legend located at Gegerkalong street near UPI. I liked Nasi Goreng because it's delicious and a complete food. Usually, I ordered the one with chicken flakes or sea food in it .The simplicity of the food really amazed me. It's simple but totally delicious. One of the must eat food in Wonderful Indonesia.
This is my picture with Crystal at Mamah Legend. During our stay at Bandung, I can declare us as loyal customers of Mamah Legend. We always ate in the place haha.
This is a picture of the not spicy Nasi Goreng.
One time I forgot to say "tidak pedas " which means not spicy to the crew of the resto that's why I was served with spicy Nasi Goreng. I ate it wholeheartedly while enduring the spiciness of it haha.
I will never forget this place because it really served us great Nasi Goreng and the staffs were really kind. I will definitely come back to eat Nasi Goreng again.
So, Bandung wait for me...