Indonesian Intensity

From the moment I stepped off the plane to the moment I left for Kuala Lumpur everything was intense. I think Erin explained it best when she added the 'unexpected'' factor. So for me Indonesia = Unexpected Intensity. The traffic, the motorbikes, the people trying to sell you something, everything. At the same time we met some interesting characters and I have learned not to be so scared when other people are driving because in Indonesia there are no rules when it comes to driving and motorbikes and buses alike just do as they please. A few of the highlights from Indo: Bert & Ernie: The place we stayed at in Kuta had two managers whom we named Bert & Ernie. they couldn't have been more helpful and told us how to get places and what to pay etc. They would argue like an old couple over what they should tell us and finally come to a conclusion and set us straight. Yogyakarta: I met up with a guy my dad does work with, Firman, and we went out tot dinner with him and his family. He and his family were a fountain of knowledge about Javanese culture and we soaked it in. Also, in relation to the crazy driving habits of Indonesians it makes it very difficult at time to cross the street. We went to cross the street and found myself holding Erins hand, who was holding Firman's daughter's hand, who was holding her fathers hand. It was like human Frogger. Which for the record Erin and I have become very good at. Bromo Volcano: We arrived off a night bus to Proboliggo where we went on a mini tour to watch the sunrise then go on to the volcano. Pretty sure our driver was the inspiration for a cartoon somewhere in the world. We had by far the crappiest mini-van but the best driver. He was passing people left and right and when he waited fort us to come back from watching the sunset or climbing to the top of the volcano he greeted us by dancing around with his bright pink scarf on. Speaking of the volcano, pretty sure it was the moon, not a volcano. The wind was so strong that the sand would sting your bare skin when it it you. there was nothing around except for people trying to sell tourist rides on their horses up through the sand so they wouldn't have to walk. While walking up and looking into a volcano's cone was pretty cool I am still finding moon dust in my bag and pretty sure inhaling the noxious gases has shortened my life by at least a year. Circus Train: We took an overnight train from Yogya to Jakarta. We have dubbed it the circus train for the following reasons. Within 30 min of departing the station train stewards and stewardess were in the aisle on after another. Coffee, Newspapers, Hot plate of Food, Mystery box food, Dried fish in a box, Future orders of food (about 5 of them came by), the toy cart man, and my personal favorite the blanket man. All in all Indonesia was an interesting introduction to SE Asia. Although I always want to spend more time than I have in a country I was ready to go to Malaysia.

Country to City...

I've been laying low for the most part in Australia, spending time with the Rodgers and road tripping to Sydney in a campervan with Emily. We got into Sydney on Thursday night and had a walk around the city. I guess I have never really experienced a city before but for some reason I was enthralled by everything that was going on. Businessmen on their way home from work in their handsome suits, women plowing by me in heels I couldn't even imagine walking in. They could have been wearing tennis shoes but the sound of the click-clack made me smile and give them silent high fives because there is no way some of those shoes could have been that comfortable. Men picking up bouquets of flowers off the streets to bring home. Peering into pubs and seeing the gathering of a happy hour group, glad the day is over. Waiting for traffic lights to change so everyone could walk across the busy intersections, occasionally someone would sneak across when the man was still red and you could see the jealous/nervous on lookers still waiting patiently for the signal to change. Passing by store fronts, re doing their display windows or doing construction, or passing through China town seeing whole roasted ducks in the window. Cities are full of life. Although I don't think I could ever live in a major city, simply because I don't have the patience to wait for the signal to change or sit in traffic, or on a crowded bus or train I have come to appreciate walking slowly and admiring all the different events going on.

Home is where the heart is....

and family is all relative. I don't have a large immediate family, but I cherish the relationships I have with them. I've come to realize how large my 'extended' family is. I have many friends I consider family, I have an Australian family, I have my Mom's side of the family, I have an Irish family. All in all I have a huge family.
I bring this u because I saw a lot of family while I was in Australia and it was good. I saw Lalena, Haley's older sister in Townsville and it felt like I was having breakfast with my own sister even though I hadn't seen her in over 10 years. But Haley is my friend, family, and therefore her sister is part of my extended family.
I went on to Mackay, where I did my exchange program in high school almost 9 years ago. With the exception of Emily, i hadn't seen the other girls or Norm or Shelley since I left. It took all of 5 minutes to make me feel at home again. These people aren't my Australian family, they are part of my real family. I found myself crying when I left them at the airport, and questioning the boyfriends and new roommates of my younger sisters, making sure they were ok in my book.
Then in Brisbane I saw Michelle, my Irish cousin. Again I haven't seen her in prob about 5 years. I walked into her house and she immediately started calling over all her friend to introduce them to me, "her cousin, from America." Although we aren't related by blood, we are family through ad through.
Then in Sydney, I saw Steve. My cousin on my Mom's side. He is someone I look up to and to spend an evening with him was great. On top of that I got to introduce him to my Australian sister Emily.
So my tree may not have many branches, but the ones it does have has many limbs and forks which makes it a massive one. Sometime I just need to step back and look at the bigger picture.