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Language Classes

Language Class-Sarah

Seth, Flat Stanley and I with Wulan and Icak, two of our language teachers.

A couple of weeks ago we decided to go sign up for language classes. We visited two language schools and picked out one called Alam Bahasa. I was really exited and could not wait to get started! Dad decided to take 6 hours of lessons a day but Mom, Seth and I decided to start with only 2 hours a day.

I was so happy when I got to take my first lesson! I got up at six o’clock and we left the house at 7:30 because our lessons started at eight and ended at ten. We walked about half a mile to the bus stop and boarded the bus, which is called the TransYogya. After stopping about two times, the bus came to our stop. We got off and walked to the school.

When we came in a lady greeted us and later gave us all bags that held a pencil, notebook, and eraser. In the central area of the school, there are benches and children’s books on racks. The students, including our family, talked to each other while we drank coffee or tea that is provided before and after classes. When you walk out the other side of the central room, you are outside but there is a roof of vines where a little bit of sun gets through. I sipped some tea and waited for our teachers.

Finally, it was time for class! We all had our own separate classes so that we could learn without distractions. I went away with a Muslim lady to my class. That day, I learned the ABC’s in Indonesian and how to ask someone what another person’s name was and how it is spelt. My teacher was really nice and she spoke mostly in Indonesian so that I would learn. The room I worked in had a table, two chairs, a whiteboard and tinted windows.

I had so much fun! After class, I was tired but I couldn’t wait for the next day! Alam Bahasa is a great school and I would definitely take classes here again.

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Sarah and Christy

Me eating birthday cake with Christy, one of mom and dad’s language teachers.

Pesta Malam

Me with Este, Icak and Lisa, three of our language teachers at our Indonesian Night Party. We are all wearing traditional clothing.

Sarah Playing Instrument

At our Indonesian Night Party I was able to learn how to play the “Angklung”. Each angklung plays its own note. The music is beautiful! 

 

 

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TransJakarta Busway

TransJakarta BuswayI have had the opportunity to ride the TransJakarta Busway several times since moving here. I think riding on it is a lot of fun! It has it’s own lane separate from traffic, although motorcycles and cars use it illegally at times. Sometimes, on the bus I have a lot of room to move around, but other times it gets really crowded! According to Wikipedia, the Busway was open to everyone in 2004 and carries around 250,000 passengers per day.

One time when we rode on the Busway, I got to buy the tickets! Since I do not know the language very well Mom told me what to say and gave me money to pay for them. Unlike in America, the men and women are separated on the bus. So, mom and I sat in the front of the bus and Dad and Seth in the back. We had a long ride and Dad was not there to tell us where to get off. Mom misunderstood what Dad had said before we boarded and we got off too early!

When we looked back at the bus we saw Dad and Seth waving to us from inside as we stood on the platform watching them drive away! We hurried to get back on the next bus to catch up to the boys. As we pulled up to our destination, Dad and Seth were there, waiting for us!

A few hours later, we got on again to go home and the same thing happened except we stayed on the bus and Dad and Seth got off at the right stop. We didn’t panic, just laughed at our silly mistake again. We quickly turned around and caught up to them. All of us were laughing!

I learned that on the Busway, you have to pay attention to everything around you; especially what stop is coming next!

Question: What type of interesting transportation have you taken? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

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Everybody Is A Teacher

Now that we live in Indonesia, I really want to learn the language so I can communicate with everyone and make lots of new friends. I have learned that everybody is a teacher! Even though I do not know the language I have been able to make a few friends already. Two of my new friends come from a family in the church of Christ at Darmawangsa. Yosua is a boy and he is almost 6 years old. His 2 year old sister is named Ester. We have spent a lot of time with this family and I have become friends with the kids.

I have gotten to play with Ester and when she talks and I ask my Mom what she is saying she is “teaching” me Indonesian. Another way I am learning is through pictures. When I play with Ester sometimes she points to a picture of something and says the Indonesian word for it. I have a game on my iPod that has a picture of a cat on it so Ester touched it and said “kucing”, which is the word for cat. Another time, she pointed to a rabbit on her shorts and said, “kelinci”, the word for rabbit.

Sarah and Ester

I have learned a lot of words from Ester and I have enjoyed playing with her. It is funny how even a two-year-old little girl can become a great language teacher! I am learning Indonesian little by little. Someday I will know the language really well and I will remember Ester as one of my first language “teachers.” I have learned that when you are learning a new language, everyone is a teacher, whether they are 2 years old or 50!

Question: Who has been an unexpected teacher in your life? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

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Sea Transportation in Papua, Indonesia

We rode in several boats when we lived in Papua, Indonesia. We took these boats back and forth from Serui on Yapen Island and our Bible School on New Guinea. The Speedboats were the fastest, the Ferry was the slowest and the Wooden Cargo Ships were in the middle.

The Speedboat was one of my favorites. I liked it because we went really fast! It felt like we were hitting the bottom of the ocean every time we hit the waves! It was a smallish boat and there were benches that the passengers would sit on across from each other. Sadly, we do not have any pictures of the Speedboats.

I also liked riding on the Ferry. The first level of the Ferry was all open and you could sit wherever you wanted. Some of the passengers would sell fruit and sometimes we would buy some for the trip. This ship carried motorcycles and cars also. Upstairs, there were plastic chairs that you could sit on. You can check out the video below to see what it was like.

Here is the Ferry at at the pier near our Bible school in Papua.
Here is the Ferry at at the pier near our Bible school in Papua.

 

The Wooden Cargo Ships were a lot of fun too. Normally, people do not ride on this boat, but we got to. These boats were so noisy that we could not carry on a conversation so, we just sat back and enjoyed the scenery.The Cargo Ship we rode in was blue and carried things such as rice, ramen noodles and building supplies. It took a long time to get there, so I fell asleep with dad!

Wood Cargo Ships
Here are some of the ships at the pier in Serui, Papua, Indonesia
Wood Cargo Ship
I think that they were racing us to Sangge, where their pier is near our Bible school.
Fun on the Ship
My dad says I’m so cute! That is David next to me.
Sleeping on Ship
Sleeping with dad and Buddy.

These are several types of boats that we took in Indonesia. We took other kinds of boats and saw flying fish, dolphins and sea turtles! I enjoyed riding in these boats a lot!

Please leave me a comment! It makes me so happy to hear from you! 

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Three Reasons to Take a Bajaj in Jakarta

 

Bajaj Jakarta

If you are going to travel in Indonesia, I suggest that you take a ride in a Bajaj. A Bajaj is a cheap three-wheeled taxi that is usually orange. It is best to negotiate the price of your ride with the driver before you start your trip. Don’t expect to be too comfortable. There is no air conditioning and if it is raining you most likely will get wet. I believe that riding in a Bajaj will provide you with a cultural experience you will never forget.

Here are three reasons to take advantage of this type of transportation in Indonesia.

  1. In a normal taxi it is quiet and just smells like air freshener but in a Bajaj you can hear all of the sounds and smell all of the smells of Jakarta.
  2. If Bajaj’s become outlawed you might never have the opportunity to ride in one ever again.
  3. In a Bajaj you do not have to use a booster or car seat which is convenient if you have young kids.

In conclusion, I think that you should take advantage of Bajajs while in Jakarta because they will provide you with a cultural experience you will never forget.

What kinds of fun transportation have you taken before? Please comment below!

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My Lunch Surprise

Lunch SurpriseIn Indonesia, outside of the city of Monokwari, we went for picnic with some friends. We rode in a big bus and took some chickens along with us. I got to hold them. We were going to have a picnic at the beach. In the bus I held and pet the chickens.

When we got to the beach, I went and played in the sand and water. Finally, it was time to eat. Wow! I was surprised when I found out what we were having for lunch; chicken! It was pretty funny! In the picture, that is me with our friend Alimin cooking the chickens that I held.

Talk about fresh food!

Do you have any funny food stories from another country? Please comment!