My Exchange Journey to Pontianak

Just want to jot down my 6 weeks AIESEC exchange experience in Pontianak. Settling my stuff very last minute cause EPM no informed, staff of iGCDP Puger also no chap me (He's actually very good, we did LINE :P). So, I actually bought my flight ticket three weeks before the project, health insurance settled two weeks before (thanks YongLe, my ex-roommate) and lastly visa settled less than one week before I fly (having a little problem regarding invitation letter).

This is me preparing to fly. I actually reached this airport very early. My flight is at 11.45am (boarding time 11.05am) but I'm taking a 7.30am bus ticket which means I'll be reaching KLIA2, the airport by 8.30am. Yes, no one sent me off (not like everyone I think their parents fetch them to the airport and say their goodbyes with a hug) but not my family, they used to drop us off at the bus pick up point whenever we want to go onboard , I think we are used to be independent and this is good actually or so I think.

So I was waiting in the airport alone not knowing anyone else (of course), I think I fake sleeping so that I don't look awkward. There's free wifi but who can I contact at this early hour, it's Sunday and everyone needs a break from their job. Oh not to mention I'm few of the unemployed from my batch of university mates.

I think I checked out very fast enough to see no one picking me up. I did purposely wear an AIESEC tee so that I could be noticed (I'm tricky, but not useful) cause at the end I'm the one who is finding for them. But lucky enough they appeared after minutes and only I got informed that they're another 3 more exchange participants on the same flight as me still unloading their luggage or maybe still queueing up at the immigration counter. I thought the airport is pretty small and I took only a few steps to get out (and so I thought maybe I'm a little too fast or nervous). But I look like autism (or at least other exchange participant said I am) there waiting for the others, the organising committees do make effort to talk to me but probably I haven't quite warmed up or I just don't usually speaks to strangers so... (sorry for that) But three of them really took quite a long time to get things done *gasp* I exhaled and imagine my life in this six weeks. Am I able to adapt? Oh, did I mentioned about people there treating me like a local, I even asked to queue at the local immigration counter by the officer and I after looking left and right calmly move myself to the foreigner line. *swt*

My first meal there, ice cream (also my first photo taken in Pontianak). Not sure why are they so excited about it but they look really happy. I don't know how many times I roll my eyes on the first day but I'm actually thinking of hot food (I actually request for it if not mistaken). You see I just got back from Taiwan with lots of fried foods and less consumption of water, I got a little ill and so I feel a little uncomfortable on my throat but still I ordered ice cream because I can't see hot food on the menu and to not let them down (it's only the first day and maybe the first hour, I don't want to make myself looks fussy).

We are later bought to another restaurant, meeting more committees and ep buddy. Looking at the menu again and I'm determined to order something hot. I opt for hot tea! Yes, I was thinking hot water maybe can subdue the previous ice cream I eaten but I was proved wrong not long after. The tea is very sweet and definitely not hot (just warm). I later understand that their tea is always served with lots of sugar and I later also learnt to order teh tawar (meaning bland, no sugar).

We were later brought to our consecutive host family house. I was very lucky to be located at a rich family house where our room is installed with air conditional (they even have a pool in their house). Oh, by the way, I'm sharing a room with Lana, a Ukraine exchange participant. Below photo was taken with my Pontianak host sister.

The real welcoming party held on the third day. We get to see more of the committee (they had a very large group of committee consist around 30 people). Brief introduction and ice breaking on the first day; more classes including Bahasa Indonesia, economy, geography, tourism spot and photography class on the first week. It was rather relaxing and we got lots of free time to spent playing cards, board, even to the entertainment corner (game corner / fun station) in the mall I haven't step my foot into it for centuries.

Went to the Kapuas river and car free day at the first weekend. It was really cool, the Pontianak way I supposed. Here are some really great pictures happening both on the river and road. The carefree life I envy and could never happen back here where I am standing. 

The Kapuas kids evening activities, swimming at the river. With no parents guardian, I wonder if their parents worried about them, what if an accident happens, who will be saving them. Although I did not join the swim down there (the water is too brown I cannot), I did come back another day for canoe (for around 10 minutes only because the sky turns dark and I'm told that it's dangerous). Wanted to have more activities (they had canoe and surfing) and time here, and that next time never come because of the bad weather on our off days :( 

Waking up early morning the other day for car free day starting from 6am till 9am and I think this is totally worthy! At first, I thought car free day is just the normal no car on the road thing, maybe theirs is even grand cause is held on the main road, Ayani. But these totally surprise me! How many places you get to see so many reptiles or exotic animals they rear it as a pet and are free to touch and carry for photo taking. I love reptiles (too bad they don't have iguana there) but I'm so much a satisfied kid there. Wanted to experienced that once more but I after realised there's no more another time, time is limited :(

The next week goes by with AIESEC activities the organising committee planned for us. Did I mention about the exchange project I'm joining? It's actually a tourism project where we help them to promote their city to the world by writing articles and making a video. You can find a few more articles about Pontianak in the previous post. My first two posts were rather bad, reasons being I don't like those places (not that those places are not good but weren't the places I will visit) and their city doesn't have public transport (we travelled by motorcycle every day, imagine someone like me who don't know how to ride a motorcycle come travelling alone here), so how should I promote? To be honest, I struggle for quite some time because I don't want to just simply complete what they called it homework. This is what I signed up for and I have the responsibility to complete it at my best. I later learned that they had minivan, taxi, motorcycle and car renter with driver. By the way, heard that they are building bus rapid transit next year :) Oh ya, if you are interested, do click on those places, I did link some posts especially those Explore Borneo ones, very pretty places you might want to check out.

We had our first school roadshow that weekend and is bad, the whole session is a mess (ep came late, slide not yet done, not yet submit and transfer to the main monitor, etc). When everyone is not clear about their own job scope, the flow, the content, nothing goes smooth. Okay, for a session like this how can you not have dry run at the first place. If this is what my team works back then, I think they will get scolded very badly during post mortem. Thanh was totally pissed off that day and I don't think he cared about the next few roadshow after that. I think our relationship between exchange participants and AIESEC committees started to crumble a little here or maybe a few more days earlier. I just remembered that traditional game played later in the evening wasn't a full attendance. Anyway, the few other school roadshows after that are better, I know they had meeting almost every night for this project. *pat shoulder*

Two more days after I fought with an exchange participant from Egypt, he's really stubborn and selfish. Don't really feel comfortable to talk about him here, anyway after that incident I avoid him a lot and don't think I talk to him anymore. It's just the 16th day I stepped my foot in Indonesia and not even one week for him (he miss his flight twice or more, please judge). Some feel that I'm a little too emotional but the truth is I had seen the world and various aspect of society a little more than them, I can differentiate the bad from the good. So you know, those days in AIESEC they used to call me chihuahua, a tiny small little dog that looks tame and cute but this kind of dog barks when they see enemy. It's not about pleasing and being nice all the time, you still have some rights to choose. Anyway, I think everyone hates him after that, I just realised faster than they do. I know I sound very mean here and this straightforward behaviour is not favoured by most but I just want to be me.

The projects continued with Explore Borneo 1, a three days two nights trip to Mempawah 80km for one day and another 60km to Samudra Indah jetty with additional of 2 hours boat journey to Lemukutan island another day. It was good, the sea is clear and I had my first snorkelling experience there swimming in the sea with no life jacket. It was really cool! Lots of corals and fishes but of course these came with some sacrification (many cuts on my leg due to the sharp coral below and the hot sun burning like sauna during that two hours boat riding). Also, my first time eating fresh fish caught and grilled on campfire, it tastes so so good. First time staying in a villa with no air conditional nor fan, no phone signal and even electric. Watching moon turning red to white (I don't know why don't ask me) and sky full of stars (it's been a long time seen I last watched this).

Literally bump into Red and Loy hotel most of the day. They had good wifi there, I can upload my photo and finish my article there. And someone to chat. Days are boring without activities. The purpose of this no way pop out paragraph was just meant to post this face swap photo below. There's a lot of fun going on with others too, those nights (that I might forget after years) were good days.

Get to hands on and learned their traditional instrument, Sapek with that traditional main chord tempo I supposed. One on one teaching from the sifu. The music with the combination of other traditional instruments makes good relax music. (I jotted down the chord, we might play it next time)

I had my first on-air radio experience too at Radio Volare. First time was with Red and Loy with the theme friendship while second time was with Thanh with the theme fear. I was both terrified especially it's my first (I actually sent those questions to my friends too seeking for some help on answering). I'm glad about the accompanied from these boys making the situation slightly warmer, not to forget Hien at the backstage, she was in the studio too giving moral support ;)

The journey continued with Explore Borneo 2 to Bengkayang (this time it's even further, 222km took approximate 6 hours), we both explore the hill and waterfall. A more local place with more local people, they called it the Dayaknese. Those places not very tourist I supposed because the road is super narrow and bumpy but the view is pleasant. Nothing comes easy they said (we climbed 2+ hours hill and 1 hour walking to the waterfall). I think I love this trip the most, it's so much back to nature, we don't have water to bath or toilet, we sleep in the tent or open air with jacket for that two nights in super cold weather (called me a city people, I don't mind this time).

Having henna here too! Though it's not my first time having henna but definitely my first time winning a bet with Red to make him got henna he thought it was ugly and also the lady first time putting on henna on a guy hand :P See, I created first to both parties (okay not sure why but I'm proud of that, I'm such a badass). The henna here is really pretty! It's different in Malaysia, they put on henna when they want to get married. I got people asking me if I'm going to get married, or who is that fiance. *roll eye* Because it's too pretty, I got myself a second one before I got home just to show my mum. And also persuaded Hien to join me,

September is the month that I finally realised my exchange journey is ending soon and I haven't tried lots of different foods in Pontianak yet, practically my everyday meal is fried rice or chicken rice. At the last school roadshow, we are grouped into small group with the high school students to exchange culture and information on our country and here is where I got a food list from them, thanks for the recommendation :) Apart from the normal food, I do try out those weird ones (maybe not really) such as frog, snake and bird (because others eat like nobody business, they even chew the whole thing including the head).

Also, my first time joining charity job giving out food for the poor ones at those places I never will go, to the people I won't interact with. We ride through garbage cart, alley, and a few other places where the homeless stay giving out free food. It feels really creepy at first, joining the force which is all strangers to me at this dark hour. Okay, I admit I'm still slightly afraid of Indonesian, I always had that kind of feeling that they gonna eat me up. Thankfully my Bahasa improved quite a bit after a month (there's nothing to do with this anyway). After a few stops, the old volunteers actually came and talk to me, I felt much comfortable after that. Thank you guys, I guess I haven't really opened up that time but it still feels good to help and reach out to the needy, those volunteers, I bless you with good karma. 

We made masak-masak real! Because we want more vegetables so we went to the mart together to buy stuff and cook at home. I remembered that day was raining and we were all wet when we reached home. Vietnam and Indonesia food, although with the help of lots of Ajinomoto and MSG, it ended up quite well. I know I appeared to sulk a little (because of those MSG) but thanks for that effort guys. We had mix vegetables (tempeh, potato, carrot, long bean), soup (sauropus androgynus with minced prawn), fried omelette (tempeh, carrot, scallion), deep fried cabbage with flour and melon syrup with nate de coco. It were indeed a plentiful and satisfied meal.

Birthday surprise from Ani, Nur, Hien, Riri and Amat. Thanks for that self-bake cake, the sacrificed sleep and still need to ride back home late night (I noticed how tired they were). Not to forget that lie, but it was good, I get to watched that whole set of musical fountain in Alun Kapuas park (around 150 minutes). No one understands my daze, I really enjoy these chillax moment. Oh, thanks umi too for the gift :)

And thanks to the Angklung Komunitas Pontianak organisation, I blew my second candles for the year. Angklung is another kind of traditional music in Indonesia. The melody is good, wanted to buy one of those wind chimes back but I couldn't manage to find one. I was informed that angklung is based from Banten. Each angklung has their own note and one performer can hold up to 3 or more angklung. I had a short session there with the kids, they are very energetic. We were totally being spoiled and adore there (upgraded to a superstar, so many kids request for a photo). Not to forget this cute angklung teacher (he had dimples, girls), shouldn't have spoiled his reputation, he's actually professional I mean very dedicated to the kids. How can he handle and teach so many kids at one time and these kids are off to performance.

Finally the Cultural Village day, the day when I get to go up on stage and play the full act we been practising for a week with full thick makeup that makes me look very very old and ugly of course. But I think I regret not taking a photo of that for memory purpose which I think there's no more another time in the future. Dammit, cause the first thing I do after the whole acting is rushing back to the room to remove my makeup and Red came here like hey we haven't take a photo yet. Arghh.. so that's basically my half makeup. Overall it's not that cultural afterall, we don't have time to stand at our own booth introducing our country, the live band in front with bombastic music and the no light situation. I think I'm pretty smart to just bring food to serve, no conversation needed :P Anyway, it ends really well, it's a full house, everyone is happy with the ending.

Went for a two days one night trip to Singkawang another day. Six hours of motorcycle ride, skin totally burn especially my feet and butt flattens (not much meat there). Another first experienced I supposed, not only motorcycle riding but a long journey trip with a backpack. Supposed to be a planned trip but our tour guide is really bad with directions hence the impromptu ones. It was all good except I don't look like a girl there, it's an all boys trip. *swt* Anyway, I actually have the urge to learn to ride motorcycle after all these days, it looks a little cool I supposed but mum actually banned me straight away saying that it's not practical here.

Not to forget the farewell party. I guess I'm not really into it since I just got back from a long journey trip, was torn out already. But the planned is really well, the farewell video, prizes, certificate, souvenir, sugar cubes, etc. I think my speech looked really awkward. Sorry Dandy, I just don't like to speak on the mic, I love the conversation we had in Asiang coffee shop, it's good, I get to know more about Pontianak and Indonesia through you. And thanks god I'm not the last speaker though, Thanh is, what a good choice, he is really good in talking. (he almost tears out :P) 

Not sure when I finally felt that last day coming. Probably after that farewell party, after that last dinner together and probably during the ride with Red viewing Pontianak night for the last time reminiscing those activities and moment here. That feeling of not wanting to go back but no places to wander at night, not wanting to pack but still arranging it part by part, not wanting to sleep therefore texting till late night while reading sugar cube. So many regrets and things left undone, haven't go to the karaoke yet with the guys (they can sing really well, Anjas~), haven't had this night talk with AIESECers (we normally had it in our LC), we are so much closer with EP buddies and volunteers and I rarely talk to AIESECers, they seems to have this transparent barrier and gap between us :(

Thank you each and every people that walk pass me through this exchange journey; helping me and lending me a hand; bringing joy and being annoying. Runi who interviewed me, Dimas the LCP, all the EP buddies for the ride and accompany, Nur, Amat, Riri, Restu, Redha, Anjas, Edina, Chori and especially Ani that brought me everywhere I want to go, my teammates, Corry (the MC), Gali (fair guy), Dwiki especially for making that video, AIESECers, Harimas (big guy), Ganis (the Volare radio girl), Hendri (introducing me vegetarian food), Juni (driver for the first day), Jassy (the middle person between EP and AIESECer), Fithri (good dancer and people person), Puger (he's actually OC), Fay (the mummy of shabi family), Dandy (the head I supposed?), Diana (my mummy in the act), Anggun (dancing partner), Erwin (the super good driver for explore 2), Eky (the gentleman, thanks for the sleeping bed), Wani (Hien's host sister), Deo (the cute shy guy), Saldi (the stay provider in Mempawah), Ari (the funny bad guy?), Audia (pretty), the local Dayakness, Rio, Pau, Gery, EPs, Red, Loy, Thanh, Hien, Lana. *tell me if I miss out anyone :P* Thanks for all the great time together :)

Ending it with this photo, a group photo with these people that sent me off to the airport. No tears but I'm really thankful for the attendance, I know it's their Hari Korban big day for the Muslim there. Young energetic people, wish you all the best in what you pursuing :) They often said we said our goodbyes because we will eventually meet up another day. But what Loy said actually struck me, after this goodbye the chances of meeting back a whole gang like this are really thin. Those reunions and travelling ambition might change from time to time as some of us are stepping into the working world, some might be going abroad to study, some still a freshman in university, everyone path diverge after our goodbyes. You can even feel it right now, those faces you meet every day is now 2500km apart from you; those texts and messages about meeting up for coffee, meal or project, what do you want to chat right now when you have piles of project and assignment waiting for you to be done, even the group chat spam from Poor English/Liar family/Shabi family getting lesser and lesser each day. The reality is cruel, but sometimes if you work harder you can actually break the spell, till we meet. *wink*