I have now been in this country for three and a half months. It occurred to me today that there are loads of crazy things that happen around me, some not so crazy but still pretty weird, whose impact have been dulled by the passing of time. With about five weeks left in Yogya before I move on to Jakarta, I have been reflecting once more on the many peculiar phenomena which are inherent features of daily life in Indonesia and in the life of foreign students generally.
For a start, there's the fact that I have friends from many countries here including Japan, Germany, Korea, Turkey, New Zealand. The peculiar thing about our friendships however is that, excluding obviously the English speakers, we all speak to each other in Indonesian. Of course, that is probably rather an obvious thing to most of you, however picture this scenario: a bunch of Australians, Japanese, Koreans and a German go out for dinner and spend the whole evening speaking Indonesian. White people and foreigners generally already get stared at anyway by Indonesians without needing to draw further attention to ourselves by speaking their language in their absence! They seem to find that scenario rather hilarious, but in a nice way.
Another dominant lifestyle-affecting characteristic of this place is the weather. I wake up in the morning usually to a clear blue sky and it feels about 30 degrees by about 9am. However, more often than not, I get out of class in mid-afternoon and it is torrentially down-pouring which inevitably means - in a country with an average sewerage system, motorbikes as the dominant form of transport, and a generally, erm, flexible attitude to time - the only way to deal with such conditions is to either make friends with someone who has a car, or wait.
An example: on the way to the movies the other day, in a period of five minutes, a massive storm developed and purged itself with equally impressive speed. We were on motorbikes at the time and had no option but to park them in the middle of nowhere and huddle under the eaves of a translation shop and plough through the usual questions (Where are you from? Why are you here? etc, etc) with the owner. We waited for an hour and when we eventually decided to resume our journey, still ended up quite soaked. You have no choice but to wait. I am developing remarkable patience in this country.
Other circumstances that require patience...
The bus continues to provide me with great amusement. A new phenomena that I have observed is the proclivity of the driver to just randomly stop for a rest and drink a cup of tea or chat to his fellow bus-driving mates for as long as he sees fit. This seldom occurs when I am on the way to campus (thankfully, because I rarely allocate enough time for such unexpected occurrences in my morning schedule) but often happens on the way home when I am about 1km from the kos. I always have to toss up whether to just get off and walk or hope that his conversation is sufficiently boring that he drinks his tea quickly and gets moving!
It occurred to me the other day also that when we all go home to Australia we are quite likely to develop psychological paranoia about being ignored by the people around us, because we will be able to once more walk down the street and not have anyone care less about where we have come from (Dari mana?), where we are going (Mau ke mana?), are we studying in Yogya (Kuliah di sini?) and why we are walking alone (Kok sendirian?). It is absolutely mustahil, impossible, to go anywhere incognito in this place.
I went down to the bakery near my kos today, "Parsley", to buy some bread and realized how that although I used to find it weird to see cheese and chocolate used in the same baked good or to see for example cheese as a topping on cake, I hadn't even thought about it for two months as being anything other than normal. In Bandung, where Brownies are apparently a specialty, they make a cheese version (eww). The absolute over-sweetness of everything here would also be normal if it wasn't for the fact that I am constantly reminded when I smile at myself in the mirror how bad my teeth will be when I get home. The default taste of hot drinks here (Milo, coffee, tea, green tea) is hyper-sweet. Out of control, cavity-inducing, stomach-churning sweet. Alas, being an adaptable creature and one who is not prone to being fussy, I have learnt to accept it. This is in lieu of other options other than the rather unpalatable "don't have a drink" option.
Oh and by the way, I eat rice and sambal (chilli sauce) for breakfast. The girls in the kos think it's hilarious. But they all do it too. Anyway, that's a pot pourri of random tidbits.
By Adelle Neary s22, Adelaide University [taken from http://www.acicis.murdoch.edu.au/]
I'm in Yogyakarta since one month and two weeks and I'm sure I have no yet discovered all the features of this lovely city. But, when I was reading this article I just thought "Yes, so true! » (Especially about cheese with chocolate).
ReplyDeleteFirst, I have to say that people are greatly nice. Always taking care of you and asking if you need help. And it's true that we can't be incognito in this place because everybody asks questions about you. Where do you come from? Why are you here? Why do you choose Indonesia and do you like it? In the beginning I thought I was funny and it amused me to answer the questions. But I have to say that now, it's quite annoying sometimes because it's always the same questions. For example, I went to the night club last night, because I love to dance, but every 5 minutes someone wanted to talk with me while I was dancing.
This article also talks about patience. I have to say that I'm not patient at all. Before coming to Indonesia, I read some books about the culture of this country and I told to my mother that I will have to be very patient and won't get worked up with people there. After one month, I'm proud of me because I try to be patient with local people and always smiling even if I'm angry about something. I'm improving my patience and I like that.
Just to conclude, I want to say that it’s pleasurable to live in Jogja: the weather is nice, people are likeable and there are so many things to do here and around the city that I hope I will have the time to do all I want to do.
Its funny though when we meet new people like exchange students and our question will always whats your name and where do you come from? Always. But anyway that’s happen if we meet new local as well. If we think they are new people so we will curiously said that sentences and I don’t know why. My question is “is that just happen in Indonesia or not” and if Indonesian meet foreigner they will ask like “what are you doing here, why you choose Indonesia or do you like Indonesia” is obviously true but I don’t know why as well, why they asking that question.
DeleteMight be just because its interesting for them so that they can tell their friend that they just meet foreigner and its so awesome because they so white, came from far away just for studying or travelling. But now I just change my topic when i meet foreigner, Not to ask where are they come from or why they are here anymore but I start to say like “how you doing or do you like this campus and so on” just to give the sign that I am not ordinary indonesian.
It seems to be annoying. But its gonna be awesome dude just enjoy it. interesting to make a reasearch to indonesian why they so curious toward foreigner. You will love to stay longer in indonesia. and cheers have fun in yogyakarta
I think one of the main differences between European countries, above all in France, and here, is the interpretation of these two following notions: the private life and the public life. It seems to me that here, on the whole, your whole life is more public than it is in France. For example, two weeks ago, I went to the international office to ask something about my course and before I could say something, I was hardly entered the office, Wida told me "Hey Julien, you are going to Karimun Jawa this Weekend...". She knew that I had planned to go there, but I did not tell her. That was totally crazy for me. In France, something like that would never happen. We never talk about our free time to the secretary of our University. It is very likely that this person is not concerned of knowing whether you want to share part of your life with her / his or not! So, this difference explains partly why the people here are so curious about foreigners and ask them a lot of question. As for me, that's not a problem because if I choose to come here, it is to meet Indonesian people.
DeleteThis article is so true! I made the same reflections on Indonesia and more specifically Yogyakarta. Firstly, the weather is so different in France. When I will return to France in January, the temperature difference will be really difficult...
ReplyDeleteHere, the people are really unusual and very nice. I was surprised by one thing, people do not stop to take pictures of us. This is so strange! I really wonder why they do that, I feel like a celebrity, while not at all.
Parsley is one of the first restaurants I went to when arriving in Indonesia, I love this place and the food is very good.
The last thing that surprised me is the traffic. It's really hard to adapt to the conduct of Indonesian, that is to say: no rules. Many internationals crash and unfortunately I am one, but nothing serious.
I know how it feels to be foreigner in a specific country. But I think Indonesian people took it to the extreme. I agree with Pandu as not all Indonesian people get to see the world so if they see a Caucasian wandering around them, you’ll be the first object that attract their attention with no doubt. Things that make our people love seeing Caucasian was influenced by television and media. What is the best and popular movie at the time? Foreign movie. Who is the popular singer at the time? Foreign singer. It has been planted in our minds that white people are better than us. Nevertheless, I think it is just that they haven’t seen the world.
ReplyDeleteI did feel the same when I was living in Venezuela in 2004. I happened to be the only Asian in the entire school. Worse yet, they think Indonesia is China. I did get the same questions “Where do you come from?” “Do you speak Chinese?” “Why are you here?” “Do you eat noodles every day?” “How do you say (insert a sentence here) in Chinese or whatever language you speak in there?” It is pretty tiring to know that we must answer all these questions every time we meet new people.
Sadly the problem didn’t end as I left Venezuela in 2008. When I came back to Indonesia, I had to deal with bunch of Indonesian who is curious about Venezuela. As I have mastered Spanish, this is what they ask “Why are you back to Indonesia?” “Do you go to school by boat?” “How do you say I love you and I miss you and I don’t want to lose you in Venezuelan”, I was speechless when I hear those common questions from my own friends’ mouths.
Anyway, in conclusion, it is not really Indonesian fault. It is just the lack of awareness about what is happening outside and not having the capability to see the world. That’s why I think some Indonesians are really happy to see a foreigner. It “counts” as their experience for seeing you guys, so that they can tell their relatives about it.
There are still more fun and magics to come, hope you can get many experiences in here!
Welcome to Yogyakarta for all of you are coming outside this lovely town. Yogyakarta in this current time has shown a different face. In the past, Yogyakarta was been known as a student city and cultural city. Nowadays, Yogyakarta is also known as a city which become a destination for tourist, both local and international. This makes Yogyakarta more colorful in this present time.
ReplyDeleteThe problem has been occurred nowadays is the traffic in Yogyakarta that gets more and more crowded. This make Yogyakarta no longer comfortable to be lived. Traffic jump always happens almost every day. I suggest to local government to take care of this problem seriously. Government should maintain the comfort of Yogyakarta to keep the tourist miss to Yogyakarta and will force them to come to Yogyakarta again and again.
Yogyakarta - what a lovely city! I just totally love the Indonesian way of life and am enjoying every single day here. Why wouldn´t I? Indonesian people are always kind and open-minded. They love getting to know foreigners which they usually call "bule". I don´t think that it is annoying answering questions like "dari mana?" and many more. I can not imagine living in Europe again where people rarely talk to foreigners on the street. I am not used to this coldness anymore. Going to the laundry shop and be greeted by my name is nice and personal and makes me want to come back.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, I totally like all Indonesian food even though some are quite creative and far too sweet. Back in Germany I never used sugar in my drinks which changed quickly once I lived here for a few weeks. One of the things I learned here is patience. The people here are always relaxed and never in a rush. The way of life is usually slow. You enjoy the moment of life without thinking what is coming next. Indonesia and its culture is my small paradise on earth and I already know how big my culture shock will be once I am back in Germany!
About one year ago, I also went aboard for joining a science project Olympiad. The competition took place in a country called Slovakia. It was my first life time experience in Europe, and I really didn’t know anything about Slovakia. When I got there, I was really amazed with the country. It was absolutely different with Indonesia. You can easily find garbage on the side of the road if you are in Indonesia. But in Slovakia, the city was really clean. I also had to adapt with many kinds of things like the food, the weather, and the people. I always ate bread instead of rice. You could spend a whole day looking for rice, and finally ended up with eating bread. There are only a few people in Slovakia spoke English. So, you needed to use body language if you want to ask about something.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I experience it myself. I decided to move from Jakarta to Yogyakarta two years ago. Yogyakarta's people are way nicer than the people in Jakarta. They care about what's happening around them, they tend to help one each other, and they really are polite to others. That makes me feel comfortable live in here. I experienced my behavior has become a lot much better since I moved here. But, Yogyakarta's people have a common bad behavior. They cannot be on time in almost everything. If you make an appointment, usually you have to remind them one hour before the appointment's time.
ReplyDeleteThe motorcycle drivers here are very bad. That's why almost once in every month here, I see an accident. And all the accident I had ever seen always involving motorcycle drivers. I once got hit by a motorcycle running on a high speed.
For my final words, being here in Yogyakarta is very comfortable. I already have got used in here. With every positive and negative things here.
Every man is the architect of his own fortune. Since I have arrived in Yogyakarta my life has changed a lot. Recently German friends of mine visited me in my new home during semester break, and they reported they had never seen me happier before. Yes that is true. Yogyakarta´s citizens are amazingly relaxed, friendly and helpful. Besides university I can enjoy a very good life in Yoyakarta. Things can be afforded I would only be able to dream of in Europe. Whenever I feel like having a massage, I just go for it, whenever I would like to grab a coffee, I just do so and in case I get hungry in between, I stop by at a warung to get a delicous meal for Rp 15,000. What a life!
ReplyDeleteI am already spoilt as I do not have to cook, to clean, to iron etc. I guess I will have to face a cultural shock back home in Germany, and the tasks and duties on the other side of the world will overwhelm me!
Everything is different in Indonesia but the longer you are here, the more normal it gets and you do not see the differences anymore. I mean even the toilets and water taps are different to use, people perform at crossings to earn money, the traffic is chaotic and so is the entire organisation. I love it!
I have the same experience when I went to US. I went there on spring, so the weather was still very cold for us. I also had to adapt and accept that there's no sambal in US, which was the most difficult thing to do. For me, eating without sambal is less tasty. I also had to walk everywhere I went or took a bus, but in here I use to go by car. Same like Slovakia, in US you can't find garbage along the road which is awesome that I can finally enjoy and walk on a clean road. As I got used with the weather there, when I got back to Indonesia it felt extremely hot and dirty. But still, I love Indonesia. When I was in US, people in there amazed by how we danced our traditional dance and games or how some of my friends could read and write "hanacaraka". It's a truly great experience for me to see another part of the world.
ReplyDeleteWhen I went to Saudi Arabia for a short trip called 'Umroh' I feel the same thing as you guys felt before. On the first day I arrived there,the temperature was high it could be 30 degree. Adapting with the different temperature could be a hard thing to do for me,because in the next day I suddenly got fever. The second thing that annoying me the most is Arabian's voice there. They talk so loud. Anywway I enjoyed eating Arabian Kebab! It was so tasty. I also love to play with Saudi Arabian's children. They are so cute. Here, I would like to share my experience eating ice cream in Mecca. The ice cream is made from turmeric or 'kunyit' in Bahasa. The taste is so strange for but anyway I'm happy to visit Saudi Arabia because Arabian people taught me many things there.
ReplyDeleteI have been in Yogya for 8 months now and honestly I don’t like the article because in my opinion the author puts too much emphasis on the negative aspects like on the fact that as a foreigner you must provide much patience here.
ReplyDeleteWhy do people always complain that everything happens so slowly here in Asia?
Doesn’t life just happen too fast in our countries and here you can find the right speed limit?
I experienced myself that not only in Asia, but also in all countries of Latin America things happen more slowly and a friend told me that in the whole continent of Africa it’s the same case.
So it’s just Europe and the US where people think that every minute of life has to be used as efficiently as possible and that humans should function like robots.
In Germany for example even pupils are not give anymore the time of 13 years schooling, but now they have to graduate after 12 years which means that only 10 years old pupils have to spend their whole day at school and their free time goes to zero.
A agree that you have to work efficiently at your working place, but does your whole life has to be efficient and time saving?
If you read statistics about illnesses caused by stress in Germany, then you will find out that more than the half of the population suffers from stress and its related diseases like the burn-out syndrome which nowadays is very common.
In my 8 months here in Yogya I have not heard of any Indonesian who has suffered from too much stress and I do think this shows that people here are still relaxed and can enjoy their lives.
So foreigners, stop complaining about things that go on too slowly here but rather enjoy it as you will have enough stress as soon as you are back in your home countries.
I think why this article is more about the negative aspects of living in Jogja because of the way people think physiologically. People tend to remember the negative side rather than the positive side. Although there are many positive aspects of living in Jogja, but what people usually remember and share to other people are the negative aspects.
DeleteIt is a good thing if you tend to remember and put more attention to the positive aspects. Because that actually what we need in order to enjoy our life.
Although I’m not an foreign students, but I never stay or live in Jogja before. So I could position myself as a ‘foreigner’ as well. Back to 4 years ago, I made stereotype of Jogjanese and people from surrounding Jogja, in terms of the way they are driving.
ReplyDeleteFirst, Jogjanese and people surrounding Jogja, are ‘not good’ in driving their car or riding their motorcycle. I was totally frustrated while driving my car here. They always horn or flash their lamp if they wanted to across the street, why do not they just struggle to across the street? They also do the same thing if they want to overtake other driver, or when they ask the other driver to speed up.
Second, some of the driver are very fast in driving their car, some of them are very slow. Why do not they just drive in the appropriate speed, adjust their vehicle speed to road condition? In addition, the slow drivers were driving their car in the middle of the road, how ‘cool’ is that?
The last but not least, sometimes they did not gave the other driver chance to take their way, therefore it is very hard for some driver to across the street.
However, since I already in Jogja for 3 years, I already get used to Jogja’s driver behaviors. My suggestion for any students in Jogja. You have to be patience and be careful in driving your car or riding your motorcycle.
The behavior of riding and driving in Jogja is starting to change. They drive their vehicles like they are in a racetrack. They always want to be faster than others. If they are caught by the time why don't they go earlier which is more quiet? Another bad behavior is in the traffic light. When the countdown light is showing number 3 2 1 which is still red, the road users in the back line is starting to horn the first line users. It is very annoying for me to hear that. The last count and the green light should not make them to sound the horn many times. They should be patient to wait the first line road users to let go first and then they can follow them to go peacefully without disturbing others.
ReplyDeleteKemas
Indonesia has many different culture. It is make Indonesia more special in the eye of the world. Many people wanted to go and study in Indonesia. Most people around the world wanted to study about Indonesian culture. Because most people haven't see the culture like Indonesian. Especially in Yogyakarta. There are many traditional culture and Yogyakarta is city of student. So, it is not wrong that many foreign people wants to study in Indonesia, especially in Yogyakarta. And we must proud of it.
ReplyDelete