So. Jogja.

{April. 8-10. 2011.}

Last weekend, a friend of mine Ms. Rini was wearing the most beautiful blue Batik. We always wear traditional garb on Fridays...just to refresh my own memory on down the road. When I saw her in the teacher's lounge, I complimented her excellent taste. She told me she bought it in Jogjakarta or just "Jogja" for short. I said how I wanted to visit there. Then, she stared at me for a split second and proclaimed, "we're GOING! You and me, next week." and the rest is history. We left that next Friday a bit early from school (2pm) and took one of these....

[after missing our first one with a couple car snag ups] for five hours to Jogja! What a fun experience that train ride was! I always have wanted to travel by train...ever since my second grade field trip to do just that was cancelled!! AHHHH!!! Whelp, just making up for lost time I suppose. This train was seriously special. It had so much character. First off, we were in the business class (lower than executive and cheaper which does this face a :) ) in seats 1A and 1B. this business class had large windows, rickety seats, and osculating fans hanging from the ceiling for air and ventilation. 

Then, there were people everywhere! There were these vendors that came on the train with all their goods and would walk up and down the aisle shouting for us to buy. Then, you had those extra savvy tricksters who would just chuck their goods on your lap (like pillows, recipe books, crackers, pens, hello kitty 3D posters, and such) and if you ripped or used any of their things, they'd come back later, stick out that little hand, and demand payment. I really can't complain much about this though because honestly I find their skillz so darn amazing. Especially this glittery cat poster lady. She cool for reals :)

After a long train ride, Rine-ster and I got off at Jogja, snapped a couple proof pics and walked to our hotel. We ran into this Canadian couple who were absolutely wiped and trying to find a hotel. Oooops...they didn't heed Rini's advice and got one on prostitute ally. Aw shucks for those 2. Good thing from that though...they inspired me to wear my sweet as Canada shirt that night.

When we got to our hotel it was about 11pm...so naive that I am, I assume "shower and sleep ya?" Um....no. I took that shower, got all pj-ed up and then Rini tells me we must go to see Jogja's national symbol. So, I quick whip on some jean shorts and out into the rainy dark wonderland we go! It was about a twenty minute walk through town and ah-mazing graffiti to a large monument that's the pride and symbol of Jogja. My first taste of Jogja bule finger-camera-snapping crazies began here with a few different starstruck groups requesting pics. BOY-OH-BOY do I look white in those suckers. Overall: fun and exciting and beautiful and fun-filled night.

Next morning: Rini wakes me up subtly by turning all the light on, wait for it....at 5am! Oh me oh my what I wanted to say. No worries, I didn't. She did that every day...must be cultural differences. 

Well, even with this abrupt and frankly...all too early start to the day, we managed to have a blast. We had the breakfast the hotel provided, hot chocolate milk and nasi gudeg (the famous dish of Jogja) which looks just like this ------------------------------------^

Then, we set off to explore the SHOPPING (hey, it's a right of passage and a girl's territory). How much fun was this! We bartered our way to 15,000 rupee sandals ($1.50 American) and tons of bangles, key chains, Batik, instruments, and owls for friends as keepsakes! I even got to see how Batik was made and purchase a picture I watched getting life. COOL!

We went by becak (or petty-cab with 3 wheels) to this factory where they make the most delectable desserts called Bakpia, and I talked and sat with the workers. We saw the sultan's palace, explored his pools and I marked my name (not at all legally...hmm) by the window, "Lindi Sue was here Spring 2011." I got to pick beautiful flowers to adorn my hair with God's creation. Those flowers always whisper in my ear about HIS beauty.

We went to Catholic mass (all in Bahasa for 2 hours) and walked for hours and hours. I gave my new sandals the official Lindi orientation. If they can't pass it's bare feet for me! After mass we went to the East park (about 30 minute walk) where there was a wonderful night festival EXPLODING. There were people and neon lights everywhere. Even these bikes...or carts...or bike carts rather were covered in neon rope lights with a large character or animal lit up on top! Then, peeps all over were shooting off what looked like spinning neon carrots with hair into the sky. We grabbed some street vendor food like Indo carnival or fair food and ate on carpets placed on the sidewalk. Numerous musicians came to take our $, but I enjoyed hearing the tunes and practicing my Bahasa, "Bauhton!" (no thank you) or "Bauhton Mas" (no thanks man). 

After din din, Rini took me to the two trees...bum bum bum. No...really these two seriously mammoth trees have a wonderful story. They are in the smack dab middle of the park's field and surrounded by two intricate white walls with benches. The myths goes that if you can start from the road (about 2 football fields back), blindfolded, make a wish, and walk directly in between the two trees without help or peeking, the trees will eat you up! Oh snap, good one Lin! uh....not. Well your wish is supposed to come true. We gave it a shot and the first time when I wished, I ran into the wall. The second time I wished to see the world and I made it. Then, the third time, I started farther back and wished for something secret and I made it again. Bring on the wishes!

That next day again, Rine's woke me up in her oh so gentle way. Then, we met her "pastor" (Catholic) at 6am. My first impression of him was him sitting on the couch with shaded brown glasses, smoking a cig. Not a pastor I've ever seen! We proceeded to travel to the university and his home, which was as I assume the closest Catholic version to a parish. It was a complex where the older pastors all lived together. There we picked up three more nomads and set of for Borobudur! We stopped for breakfast of Soto and Bakso and Tahu. Then, we dropped off the pastor, saw the catholic churches there, and greeted, and were on the road again. We drove for about two hours and I had the blessing of seeing more of God's creation that my heart yearns for. At one time we had mountains in front and behind us and two volcanoes (active) on either side. Holy Smokes (no pun intended)! It was different from NZ but definitely takes your breath away. God's speciality is [[DIVERSITY]]. Go God.


Then, I found out that one of these majestic volcs erupted in November! We drove through the destruction and saw the houses wiped away, enlarged expanses of river, emptiness where bridges were once a source of trust in crossings, and mounds of grey fire earth. It reminded and filled me with a holy fear of the Lord and what end times hold for those who are not found in Him. Gotta build a bridge...or show em the way to it...for those souls. Amazing perspective of my smallness and God's plan. Thanks for the reminder Pops :)

After driving for a while we arrived at the 7th Wonder of the World: Borobudur Temple. What a huge and mysterious place. We went in to explore this Buddhist temple, set up in layers (or 3 levels) like the 3 levels of Buddhism. We wore sashes around our wastes to respect the sanctity of the place of worship and went all around exploring the intricate carvings and levels of the temple. In the meantime: I got flash mobbed...literally by 5 different groups of people, had 2 interviews recorded, and took over 200+ pics with strangers. Ce.leb.rit.y.

We went to one more temple at the top of a mountain that night (Candi Ijo) to watch the sunset. Then, we took the bus home for seven hours and arrived in Surabaya at 3:45sm with tired feet, but pockets full of treasure and souls filled with mental snapshots.