BULE on a MAGANG!

So it has almost been 1 week that I am here in Indonesia and I have experienced TONS of stuff! BULE is one of the first things I've learnt because people scream it to me when I walked in the streets. It means foreigner. I am not exactly sure how to take it, but I laugh about it! You don't need to be a rockstar to get attention... And they don't look at me because I wear improper things, btw...I am always covered up, don't worry! When people look at me, I usually smile and they smile back....I love the international language of a smile! It beats anything! :)

I went to see the Museum of Brawijaya and a Library, where we met the manager of a radio station. She was very nice but didn't understand a word I said! I then ate some interesting food and went hunting for an adaptor to recharge the battery for my camera. I bring it EVERYWHERE and I try to take a picture of everything...It will be useful for my scrapbook and to remember my adventures :P It was quite challenging to go hunt for an adaptor (I am not even sure it is called like that...hahaha) so I can plug my charger in the adaptor, which is plugged in their outlets. My LO (Liaison Officer who takes care of me and answers all my questions and stuff like that...good idea for future TNs at McGill!) didn't really understand me so it took us a while to figure out things, but I got one and it works fine! :)

On Sunday, I went to the stadium, which is a big market. It was pretty fun and I tried bubur ayam (chicken porage)! Pretty good but I think my stomach didn't agree with me on this one :( I also saw a very nice and peaceful flower market, bird and fish market. I then went back home. I still have issues with the time change. At like 8/9pm, I get SUPER tired.... Hey, 1/2way around the world is exhausting!!!! :P So I took a nap (scores for naps!) and I had a meeting with the responsible teacher, key students, AIESECers and hosts of this project. Considering that 90% of the population here is Muslim, it is interesting to note that I will be in a christian school! :)

And in the evening, I went to a wedding. This was one of my expectation, one thing I wanted to do while here. And it was GORGEOUS! The groom is the goalie of the Indonesian Football (soccer) team (she is a model!), so everything was in green and where they were standing to thank people for coming was in the shape of a goal. Pretty cool and the hall was HUGE! The 2nd son of my host family is a friend of the groom and he told me that there were about 800 people at the reception, 200 less than they expected because of the rain! A buffet was served and people were standing around. GYSC, I can see how big weddings can get in your family! But when they are sitting, the hall must be as long as a football field, eh? :P So we were there for like 2 hours and then left! I'll put up pics soon!

Yesterday was my first day at 'work'! I learned a bit of Bahasa, and it is super interesting! They even had a simulation for me, which was cool! I now have a better expectation and better idea of my role in this project and it is quite interesting! I hope I'll do a great job at it! :)

Today, the 10th, is a holiday where they sacrifice goats. The whole city was full of goats so it had this interesting smell!!!! I went to the sacrifice and it was interesting to see these 60 men or so that were working under a tent as butchers. The sacrifice part where the goat is killed wasn't too bad cuz I didn't see it, but when the goat did the 'baaaaaaaah!' sound and it was cut short because it was cut, that was a bit weird. The eldest son of my host family came with me and laughed at me cuz I was holding my neck when they were killing the goats! Hahaha! I was actually able to eat meat after, but my stomach is now feeling weird...I wonder if it is because of that? :)

Anyways, today is a very vedge day and I kindda forgot to prepare my session tomorrow (ops!). I'll have to go home and work on that I guess!

Interesting Facts:
EVERYONE, or almost, has a motorcycle.
Everyone wears flip flops even on motorcycles.
A helmet is obligatory, but people don't fasten it/attach it(what is it good for when you are in an accident and you didn't attach your helmet?)
People smile almost all the time.
AIESEC dances are the same here! :P

Anyways, it has been 3 hours that I am here, so I have to go now!
If you guys have questions, please ask them! And E-mail me....I wanna know what is up with yu guys! Thanks to those who e-mail me...I appreciate it!