A journey of discovery :)

The journey to discovering that…

49 hours of Indonesian Language and Culture Intensive Course

30 hours of Bahasa Indonesia classes

5 cultural activities (Jamu, Paes Jawa, Wayang, Batik, Gamelan)

3 social agency visits (Yayasan Sayap Ibu, Koran Kedaulatan Rakyat, SD Mangunan)

4 days of excursion around Yogyakarta/Solo (e.g. Borobodur, Prambanan, Kraton)

Having to communicate with the locals in Bahasa Indonesia on a daily basis, especially/even at ‘home’ with our homestay family, I dare say our mastery of the language became stronger (but with the lack of practice over the long summer break after we are back…hmm…). Lessons were conducted in small groups (3 students in each class after placement) and so we really had to speak more than what would have been expected of us back in Singapore. Adding on were the cultural activities, social agency visits and 4 days of excursion around Yogyakarta/Solo. Such was the extent of our immersion into the Indonesian culture that when I finally returned to Singapore 3 weeks later, I unwittingly replied in Bahasa Indonesia when queried by the Changi Airport staff.

On a personal note, my most unforgettable experience would have to be on THE motorbike.

First, some quick background details. Our group was warmly welcomed and heavily assisted by the Univesitas Sanata Dharma (USD) staff. Mbak Nana was the academic coordinator whereas for non-academic matters, Mas Guntur would render assistance to us, including homestay matters.

For me, my homestay was a stone throw away from USD, a mere 10 minutes if I take a leisure walk. The first morning, Mas Guntur arrived to pick me up in a van, with Fucai already waiting inside. The next morning, Mas Guntur walked me to school, making sure that I knew whether to turn left or right at junctions.

On the third morning (Friday morning), I didn’t quite know if I was supposed to walk to school on my own or wait patiently at home. So I decided to wait and shortly after, Mas Guntur arrived. So I bade goodbye to Mbak Nadia, the daughter of the homestay family and then proceeded outside with Mas Guntur. He then told me that our mode of transport that morning was his motorbike. I was taken aback, even though I once rode on a motorbike in a village in China, that was when I was 7 years old. Back then I had begged my mother to be on the same motorbike as me (I ended up sandwiched between the motorcyclist who was one of my China relatives and my mother). I have no other recollections of how I felt other than feeling relieved that my mother was with me (I was 7, in a strange land with a stranger offering a ride into the village, I had to be relieved.)

“Oh okay”, I said to Mas Guntur.

He asked if I was scared and if it was my first time taking a motorbike. I said I’m okay and informed him that it was my first time (I had completely forgot about the China experience at that point in time).

So I hopped on (without a helmet). Then he told me to move back because I was seated slightly too front and hence not giving him adequate space. So I moved back. He hopped on.

From that point in time till I alighted, he asked me at least another 2 times (or maybe 3) if I was scared. I replied that I felt alright. Which made me really puzzled – did he really need to ask me so many times, seriously?

The puzzle was solved by Ibu Indrianti and Cindy in the evening when we had dinner. Before dinner, Cindy moved house (due to exciting experiences which I shall leave her to share) and was accompanied by Ibu Indrianti and Mas Guntur. During the process, Mas Guntur revealed to them that I rode on his motorbike in the morning (which they already knew because I told them in the morning/afternoon) and added that something ‘special’ happened, which my dear friends and Ibu Indri would summarise it in one word, ‘memeluk’.

Before you search the dictionary for the meaning of ‘memeluk’ (root word: peluk), try the Pictionary way:

Congrats to those who understood Fucai’s artistic drawing. Anyway to those who are unable to appreciate Fucai’s artistic talent, this was what happened. Being a novice at riding motorbikes (and I certainly didn’t and still don’t observe motorcyclists and their passengers in Singapore), I didn’t know that there were grab rails at the back for the pillion passenger.

So I ensured my safety by “embracing” Mas Guntur from the back. (Yes ‘memeluk’ means hug.) WHICH I THOUGHT WAS PERFECTLY NORMAL because my impression was that EVERYONE ought to/should/will do that.

To my horror that evening, I realise that the action of ‘memeluk’ is only for pacar (boy/girlfriend) or at least only in the Singapore context (something that we agreed on because motorcyclists travel much faster in Singapore!). Dhava even stressed that in other Southeast Asian countries, pillion passengers ought to keep to themselves too.

So, that was why Mas Guntur asked repeatedly if I was scared...

Ironically I only got the chance to explain to Mas Guntur (that my action was based on ignorance) when I was a pillion passenger on his motorbike again, on the night of the Closing Ceremony hosted by USD for our group.  

This time round, I held on to the grab rails! In fact Cindy came over to make sure that I held on to them (the grab rails!) and not anywhere/anything/anyone else.

Mas Guntur replied to my explanation, saying that it was okay because I was ignorant of their practices [不知者无罪].

No surprise, I was teased endlessly by my friends (for about 2 weeks) until I declared proudly that night that the air was (finally) cleared. 

So I learnt the hard way (imagine being teased for 2 weeks endlessly) that Indonesians are still a conservative lot (which would explain Mas Guntur’s discomfort, or at least I speculate that he was uncomfortable otherwise he probably wouldn’t have brought up the issue with Ibu Indri and Cindy). But being friendly and kind-hearted people, they certainly didn’t nitpick at non-locals’ ignorance.

                I certainly enjoyed every moment I spent in Yogyakarta for its friendly and laid-back atmosphere, cheap food (though sometimes too salty, too sweet or too spicy for my liking – but I fell in love with Teh Manis!) and the company I had.

… I really love Indonesia J

Khoo Choon Yen