Things are rolling.
To be honest, we have our doubts about the trip. We figured, even though we have announced what we are about to do in our blog, does not mean we really *have* to go, right?
I mean, this is scary stuff for us. We may be perceived as spoiled city folks, but the truth is, we are! The thought of no running water and no plug-and-play electricity freaks us. Whaddaya mean they don’t have flushing toilets? Bring sleeping bags? Like, there’s not going to be beds around? But at least the locals are going to be happy to see us, right? You’re not sure? Are you kidding me?! And I was sure someone mentioned about mosquitos as big as your thumbs. Also, no phone reception? What?! How do we tweet then?
That sort of thing.
So even though we’re saying that we’re going to go, we don’t really-really-really have to go, right?
But one day, someone suddenly paid all the departing tickets. That’s 2 April, two Saturdays from now. Then they booked the ferry taking us to the islands. Then somebody else faxed the itineraries. Then we’re booked for a couple of radio talk show about the trip. Then someone scheduled our last meeting with Mr Anies before we depart.
Suddenly, we are neck deep 🙂 And there’s no turning back.
By the time I wrote this piece, it’s minus ten days and counting. We’ve looked for hiking bags, sleeping bags, flash lights, water bottles. We’re planning to only change clothes every three days. We’re taking only one pants. And since Henry is going to a place where they serve mainly fish, he packs a lot of Indomies (he does not eat anything that swims).
But amidst all these stupid fears, bloated worries and not so funny jokes, we’re actually excited. Really-really excited. Turning this hobby into a profession got a dangerous side effect: the passion become a job. Shooting one hundred couples in a tea ceremony over the weekend could do that to you. We need to refresh, refuel, rethink, remember why we love photographing moments in the first place. That’s why we’re really looking forward to this trip: hopefully it will do wonders to our eyes, heads and hearts.
Now will you excuse me I need to get my malaria shot.
Read the story so far about the Indonesia Mengajar Adventure, and follow Edward Suhadi Productions twitter for instant updates
This’s what I’m talking about Wa…. open-share-giving kind of life that is counted of all.
You got that in your own form. It’s kinda cool form… education.
It always great to have heart for other (in need indeed), to do something from the heart, to do for other’s sake then just our own interest.
To able to recognize of what we have to share, and have the desire to share them is even greater, but to know how to share them is the prudence. I do think you have this value, you know your goal and the way. I’m happy for you Wa! (… I’d go work with you to learn this stuff^^).
… I’m sure you will find more than you can give guys!
so, be prepared and embrace the greatness.
Have a blessed trip!
Hai Be, thanks for writing in 🙂
Wow you’re so excited about this, hopefully the pictures I bring back will not let you down.
Pray for us!
10 more days to go….
Issued tickets for 3 of them – DONE
Call & prepare itinerary for them – DONE
Open BRI Bank Account – DONE
Begin collecting all stuff – just started this morning
Borrow sleeping bag – just called my friend this evening, and will collect it this week
Pack my bag – hmmm will do next week
Pack cameras & stuff – it’s Edward’s job for our trip
Transfer money for 3 of them – will do it tommorow
Hmmm…. still think what’s missing
We all (Edward + Francy, Henry, Handry) will be leaving on 2nd April 2011 at Soekarno Hatta Airport early in the morning. Our flight schedule:
Edward pk 05.40 by Garuda
Henry pk06.10 by Sriwijaya
and the latest is Handry pk 07.00 by Sriwijaya
So…. anyone who wants to bid us farewell…. CU at the airport
Definetly we all will get lots of new experiences there
CIAYOOOO Guys
Francy
again,i just want to add a lil encouragement. it wont be as bad as u’all think. u’ll realise Jakarta will be more of a jungle n more primitive than most of the place mentioned above.
“And since Henry is going to a place where they serve mainly fish, he packs a lot of Indomies (he does not eat anything that swims).”
For Henry, with humility, I also forbid myself to eat anything that swims n also serve 5 weeks in a fisherman village, 2 piece of humble advice: u’ll get use to it n the fish will get use 2 u.
I just came back from South Halmahera last Wednesday. And I’d met all the Pengajar Muda there :).
It’s really GREAT for having those 5 days ‘adventure’ to Ternate and Labuha.
It will be very nice if you can going around to all the Pengajar Muda’s village, which is mostly surrounded by sea and water :D. Envy ^^ !! Have a nice trip! Itterasshai… Can’t wait for the upcoming update 😀
Hi Retno 🙂 Wah, baru balik ya dari Halmahera. Semoga sempet semua dikunjungi ya 🙂 Eh, aku boleh email kamu ya, mau tanya-tanya medan gimana di sana 🙂 Thanks Retno.