Lack of motivation for routine.
Looking too long at trip pictures accompanied by long sighs.
Blueberries don't even taste as good as I thought.
Thinking that flying really isn't that bad.
Lynden in all its beauty isn't warm enough or tropical enough.
People here are just too American and not Indonesian enough.
Think a bit too long about selling everything and wandering the world with a backpack and my dreams.
Burn my back yard bamboo and think about burning the plastic water bottles just to get that evening smell in the air.
Keep hoping that the hotel staff will cook my supper or that it will magical appear as it has or did.
Wondering if it really did all happen because it seems to have happened so long ago.
AWS...easy to catch not easy to cure.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
Post adventure final post
Post adventure final post
I have always been a bit confused about bucket lists. How are you supposed to know what you should experience if all you do is borrow the idea of the experience from others? For example ....how could I have written down the past few days. Leaving Berastagi to arrive at Bukit Lawang (? Sp) was a trip of winding curves as we descended from the cool of the mountains to the jungle of the plains. Palm oil plantations for acres and as impressive as it is to see, at the same time you know it's destroying the land it grows on. The stats for water consumption alone is staggering and how it destroys the vegetations all around, sad and impressive. Scott was finally feeling a smidge better....not needing to use the facility every hour and under strict guidelines for eating and drinking. I think the man lost about 6 pounds....
We arrived at the village at the edge of a million hectare reserve. As we settled at the guest house...we were informed that our place was on the rocks...or On the Rocks. 228 steps up we realized why; lovely guest houses with coconut shower heads, mosquito nets and wide open, no screen windows. As we caught ...as I caught my breath, Scott who has been struck with illness the past 4 days still could climb all the way up without a stop, we noticed the trees shaking. There in a tree were monkeys just playing and eating. This was just a foreshadowing.
Next day....the jungle trek. So, I had a conversation with the Creator. I asked Him if He would nudge the orangutan's our way since it's a huge reserve ... You can always ask, right? So we began. About an hour in...2 males, 2 juveniles a swinging by...JUST like that. There they were...pictures to prove. Coolest EVER! I was just smiling and oohing and all that. We walked up. Down, over up and over...so nice that it was under the canopy and not under the hot sun otherwise we would haven been baked and steamed. This way, we just walked in the sauna all day. It wasn't an easy trek but the rewards so worth it. Lunch of nasi goreng ( fried rice) and fresh fruits...all so good. I would have never put this on my imaginary bucket list, but then if you have one maybe you should.
We and Mario Andretti as our driver on the way back to Medan. Up till now we have asked all our drivers to pelan pelan ( slow down). This time....let him drive. You begin to realize as you duck and swerve, pass and honk and pass, he knows what he is doing...we hope. We listened to The Scorpions, G and R etc. a lot of the way and as he sang along, talked on his phone , changed gears and passed every car, truck and motorcycle possible...you hang on and enjoy the ride. Yes, I realize , I should have been scared there and not on the airplane today. When we got into the city, he put on his seatbelt ... Maybe it's the law :).
What a great, wonderful, full, exciting, memorable time this has been. I am sooooo grateful for it all. So many highs, so few lows. So much beauty, such amazing people, such a great family, so much to understand and learn. I felt so often the pleasure of the Creator on His canvas and tapestry of land, sky, animals and people. I'm ready for home, for our kids, for my adopted country. I don't usually have favorites but Indonesia never disappoints. You should come if you can.
Thank you so much for following along.
I have always been a bit confused about bucket lists. How are you supposed to know what you should experience if all you do is borrow the idea of the experience from others? For example ....how could I have written down the past few days. Leaving Berastagi to arrive at Bukit Lawang (? Sp) was a trip of winding curves as we descended from the cool of the mountains to the jungle of the plains. Palm oil plantations for acres and as impressive as it is to see, at the same time you know it's destroying the land it grows on. The stats for water consumption alone is staggering and how it destroys the vegetations all around, sad and impressive. Scott was finally feeling a smidge better....not needing to use the facility every hour and under strict guidelines for eating and drinking. I think the man lost about 6 pounds....
We arrived at the village at the edge of a million hectare reserve. As we settled at the guest house...we were informed that our place was on the rocks...or On the Rocks. 228 steps up we realized why; lovely guest houses with coconut shower heads, mosquito nets and wide open, no screen windows. As we caught ...as I caught my breath, Scott who has been struck with illness the past 4 days still could climb all the way up without a stop, we noticed the trees shaking. There in a tree were monkeys just playing and eating. This was just a foreshadowing.
Next day....the jungle trek. So, I had a conversation with the Creator. I asked Him if He would nudge the orangutan's our way since it's a huge reserve ... You can always ask, right? So we began. About an hour in...2 males, 2 juveniles a swinging by...JUST like that. There they were...pictures to prove. Coolest EVER! I was just smiling and oohing and all that. We walked up. Down, over up and over...so nice that it was under the canopy and not under the hot sun otherwise we would haven been baked and steamed. This way, we just walked in the sauna all day. It wasn't an easy trek but the rewards so worth it. Lunch of nasi goreng ( fried rice) and fresh fruits...all so good. I would have never put this on my imaginary bucket list, but then if you have one maybe you should.
We and Mario Andretti as our driver on the way back to Medan. Up till now we have asked all our drivers to pelan pelan ( slow down). This time....let him drive. You begin to realize as you duck and swerve, pass and honk and pass, he knows what he is doing...we hope. We listened to The Scorpions, G and R etc. a lot of the way and as he sang along, talked on his phone , changed gears and passed every car, truck and motorcycle possible...you hang on and enjoy the ride. Yes, I realize , I should have been scared there and not on the airplane today. When we got into the city, he put on his seatbelt ... Maybe it's the law :).
What a great, wonderful, full, exciting, memorable time this has been. I am sooooo grateful for it all. So many highs, so few lows. So much beauty, such amazing people, such a great family, so much to understand and learn. I felt so often the pleasure of the Creator on His canvas and tapestry of land, sky, animals and people. I'm ready for home, for our kids, for my adopted country. I don't usually have favorites but Indonesia never disappoints. You should come if you can.
Thank you so much for following along.
Friday, July 19, 2013
# Last
Day # Last...Friday
10:57 PM and gangnam style is playing loud enough to hear up in our room. We just finished playing mafia, and as part of the mafia I am pleased to say we won. We just came from our last presentation evening where we glimpsed into the life of the our family down under. Before that we ate supper while being serenaded by a local band. Before that we had a badminton tournament to be called because of lack of light. Before that a whole day of sun, rest, swim and more sun. Before that we said good by to the first leaving...
Before that we heard that Margaret had passed into the prince of Jesus. It is hard to measure it all.
Today is our last here and we are already feeling the loss of what was. It took all of us from 8 hours to 24 hours just to fly here and that doesn't count the layovers, taxi ride and ferries. We are in the middle of wonderful and everything worked in our favor; the location, the weather, the isolation, the history , the food, the mix of family , the beauty.
We start moving out tomorrow. Some a bit farther on together, others all the way back to where they began. It's time to get home though there are some things I haven't missed. I've learned some things about us that makes me, me. It has been such a bonus to be with Daniel and Lois. I've danced with a two year old and had amazing conversations with many. I've so loved to watch the excellence of strengths and the gifts are spouses have been to our family. I'm pretty sure that this group of folks have something special and what we create by our being together is worth the distance, money and time.
Before that we heard that Margaret had passed into the prince of Jesus. It is hard to measure it all.
Today is our last here and we are already feeling the loss of what was. It took all of us from 8 hours to 24 hours just to fly here and that doesn't count the layovers, taxi ride and ferries. We are in the middle of wonderful and everything worked in our favor; the location, the weather, the isolation, the history , the food, the mix of family , the beauty.
We start moving out tomorrow. Some a bit farther on together, others all the way back to where they began. It's time to get home though there are some things I haven't missed. I've learned some things about us that makes me, me. It has been such a bonus to be with Daniel and Lois. I've danced with a two year old and had amazing conversations with many. I've so loved to watch the excellence of strengths and the gifts are spouses have been to our family. I'm pretty sure that this group of folks have something special and what we create by our being together is worth the distance, money and time.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
A long way baby !
Wednesday , # 3, it's a long way baby, a long way
6:30 PM....my feet are fat because I've been sitting all day. Scott is sleeping in the bed, sick. We went to where it all began for the vdb clan. The birthplace, hanging around place and work place. All on a bus, on narrow narrow roads squeezing into places no self respecting tour bus should be able to squeeze. We found the school, homes and churches. A bus load of westerners descending where I am sure....has NEVER been a tourist destination. We were looked at as intently.
It's almost time for supper and with all the goings-on in the last few days I really haven't had much time to ponder this hugely diverse family. We are remarkable in a lot of ways....let me tell you a few. Adaptable and we are accommodating and pragmatic. We eat what is given, drink what is available, use squat pots if necessary. We go along but tweak if possible. If the water isn't working, we swim in the lake. The women are strong and confident. The men are the same. The children are in the middle of it all because that's what's family. We drink a lot of beer and smoke them if we have them. We jump in, try out and leave it be. We are so diverse in faith, education, vocation and where we call home. It seems to work...we are family.
We raised a glass to Margaret tonight. We celebrated Oom Eduard birthday and were introduced to the Verhoeff family and the Maas.
It's almost time for supper and with all the goings-on in the last few days I really haven't had much time to ponder this hugely diverse family. We are remarkable in a lot of ways....let me tell you a few. Adaptable and we are accommodating and pragmatic. We eat what is given, drink what is available, use squat pots if necessary. We go along but tweak if possible. If the water isn't working, we swim in the lake. The women are strong and confident. The men are the same. The children are in the middle of it all because that's what's family. We drink a lot of beer and smoke them if we have them. We jump in, try out and leave it be. We are so diverse in faith, education, vocation and where we call home. It seems to work...we are family.
We raised a glass to Margaret tonight. We celebrated Oom Eduard birthday and were introduced to the Verhoeff family and the Maas.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
horas. HOras. HORAS !!! Day 2
Tuesday, Day 2 HORAS! The Batak aloha !
Early again but I didn't catch the sunrise. After coffee, more coffee and some fruit we headed off again by boat...to the Batak stone seat of counsel.
Running through the gamut of batik, carving, chotsky hawkers we arrived at the village and the stone chairs and the best ever tour guide possible. She weaved the story of the Batak people, the details of their homes, weavings, carvings and symbols engaged us made us laugh. We rummaged through the homes and sat on the stone thrones and moved to the scene of the area where they executed the judged. LSN...Batak were serious about meeting out justice. The gist is when you act like an animal...murder, rape, adultery, treason you die like an animal. They torture you till you pass out, chop off your head, cut you up and eat you. A little bit of shaman get the evil out and that's about it.
I was hoping the small children among us were confused by her accent...otherwise it was a recipe for nightmares. Again through the gauntlet of stuff and sad faces and please buy this thing or that and maybe this. Or if not in this stall there will be 10 others with the same to hurry through. It reminds me of the gift shops at the exit of museums but much cheaper and much more of a hard sell.
We stopped the boat on the way back and swam, ate our lunch, talked amongst ourselves and enjoyed the scenery, the company and the food. We were home early and took off on our scooters to the great beyond, life in the normal. In the 2 hours we drove higher up, saw 2 crashes, watched quickly rice being planted and water buffalo being water buffalo. That was fun riding through on our little scooter....
It's 10 pm and we lit some candles in memory of those who have gone before. We just came from family presentations, a wonderful tradition carried forward. Last night...we heard the story of their story. It's really about stories, the ones we tell, the ones we hear, the ones we remember. Stories unfold our histories.
Horas is a word used to express in it's simplicity...our routine connections. Our hellos, goodbye, how are you,that's great, that's too bad...it's a necessary word to build bridges. Like our family stories...in their simplicity they are the building blocks of our family.
Early again but I didn't catch the sunrise. After coffee, more coffee and some fruit we headed off again by boat...to the Batak stone seat of counsel.
Running through the gamut of batik, carving, chotsky hawkers we arrived at the village and the stone chairs and the best ever tour guide possible. She weaved the story of the Batak people, the details of their homes, weavings, carvings and symbols engaged us made us laugh. We rummaged through the homes and sat on the stone thrones and moved to the scene of the area where they executed the judged. LSN...Batak were serious about meeting out justice. The gist is when you act like an animal...murder, rape, adultery, treason you die like an animal. They torture you till you pass out, chop off your head, cut you up and eat you. A little bit of shaman get the evil out and that's about it.
I was hoping the small children among us were confused by her accent...otherwise it was a recipe for nightmares. Again through the gauntlet of stuff and sad faces and please buy this thing or that and maybe this. Or if not in this stall there will be 10 others with the same to hurry through. It reminds me of the gift shops at the exit of museums but much cheaper and much more of a hard sell.
We stopped the boat on the way back and swam, ate our lunch, talked amongst ourselves and enjoyed the scenery, the company and the food. We were home early and took off on our scooters to the great beyond, life in the normal. In the 2 hours we drove higher up, saw 2 crashes, watched quickly rice being planted and water buffalo being water buffalo. That was fun riding through on our little scooter....
It's 10 pm and we lit some candles in memory of those who have gone before. We just came from family presentations, a wonderful tradition carried forward. Last night...we heard the story of their story. It's really about stories, the ones we tell, the ones we hear, the ones we remember. Stories unfold our histories.
Horas is a word used to express in it's simplicity...our routine connections. Our hellos, goodbye, how are you,that's great, that's too bad...it's a necessary word to build bridges. Like our family stories...in their simplicity they are the building blocks of our family.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Day 1 family is a good thing ...
MONDAY 5:45 AM. Water sun food family..repeat.
Sitting on the edge of Toba, waiting for the sun to rise. Sleep was restless and our room is a bit rustic. But...I don't mind and its so ok.
We met Lois and Daniel at the airport got in our taxi and DROVE. It is a long ride, not that it is so far but the roads are really that bad and the towns we go through that small. We talked and talked and talked and talked and soon we were on the ferry at dusk and then we were in the arms of family.
In Lynden, most everyone I know enjoys this thing called extended family. It is pretty amazing to belong to a group of people who are from every corner of the world and I belong...just like that. It is pretty wonderful.
We ate, we talked, we drank...we wondered who belonged to who and what is their name. 3 kisses for the Dutch, handshakes and hugs for the US.
Late to bed and early to rise....Today we go to the waterfalls...all 46 of us.
High...all of it, the smells, the plantations, the broken attempted indonesian, the smiles on the faces of the familiar but unknown, the beauty and the mess. The chichaks and roosters, the nasi goreng and gado gado and fruit. The stories and the laughter and being family.
Lows...loudness in the night from our neighbors.
LSN: Rubber trees are really skinny and palm trees for coconut oil, really fat and short. LOTS of them...Toba is the highest volcanic lake AND the island in the middle we are on..as big asSingapore.
Being in a family is a really good thing.
5:30 pm...what a great day. After some spectacular coffee and wonderful breakfast and meeting the Canadian contingency who came last night we were off on our boat to
See a Batak village, see some school kids, go to a waterfall, swim in said waterfall, come home and crash. Talking and visited and eating and swimming and burning our skin and talking some more. Cousins, Aunts, brother, sis in law, husband sand more cousins...listening in Dutch, practicing Indonesian...crying and laughing.
I'm laying on the bed and smelling smoke, hearing motorbikes, feeling burnt...being with family. It's so good.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Sound and Fury or a whole lot of stupid
Sunday the 14th: Sound and Fury
Morning in Medan.
cloudy, windy and rainy this AM.
We arrived last night at 10, found our hotel, unwound...I had a lot of unwinding to do as the flights caused much undo panic. The STUPID STUPID phobia of flying struck with vengeance and today my body is sore from the tension of my fears. You have no idea how bad I feel physically and emotionally about that anxiety. It is what it is, we are HERE.
4AM there are a lot of slamming doors and then the prayer call.Then about an hour later for about an hour we heard flash bangs..or to me in my haziness mortar rounds. Maybe they were fireworks, or the rounding up of the escaped convicts...anyway. LOUD.
HIgh's ....we arrived safely, the hotel is beautiful, Indonesia is the BEST.
Lows..my crippling fear of turbulence, the awkward set up of the airport in Jakarta....under construction and a gong show to maneuver.
I have prayed a lot in the past few days..fear can do that to you :). Today ..we round us all up and drive to the Lake. Looking forward to seeing the Fam.
Lots of anxiety for little return. A bit like the never ending check points at the airport...no matter where or what or why...we took our passport out, looked through our luggage so many times. Sound and fury...like every time we hit turbulence I feel like the plane will break apart. security is fine, redundancy is stupid. Fear of flying is just stupid.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Thursday and Friday
Thursday: At the airport...
So far....Drive down was fraught with the usual in depth conversation about the state of affairs in life and the church. We can be, I can be a contentious one.
After wonderful hugs from Nick and Mijo we arrived at the airport REALLY early but as a result was first in line ahead of a large contingency of japanese students on their way home who who were in line after. As a result, check in, security and arrival at gate...A breeze.
So we ate Udon for lunch. Why not start the different right away...salty noodle soup with chicken. We will wait to be in Japan to eat Sushi.
I am supposed to have wifi but it won't connect. Oh well. We have about 30minutes before we board. Here we go........
Thursday: in the plane.
4 hours in...smooth ride so far but flying over clouds. It's the weather system coming into the PNW as we leave it. I got a Kosher lunch for Scott...I don't know. I had the Japanese lunch and the Japanese student sitting with us, he had the Western meal. Go figure. Lots of movies to watch ... many hours ahead as we chase the sun west. We are at 33,000 feet and it is -51 degrees out. We have 6 more hours to go.
It's Friday: in the plane.
2 movies, an attempt at a nap, checking the distance, speed, weather, cloud cover for the umpteenth time. Scott is much more calm and centered. We skirted the whole of the Alaskan coast and all the Aleutians...those islands go on for about 6 hours. Scott is enjoying his Kosher meals...they bring it to him about 20 minutes before we eat so he can take the plastic off the dinner tray. Seems if he is picky enough to want Kosher...he has to be the one to take the wrapping off. Why Kosher you may ask..ahh, why not!
So far the flight has been wonderfully uneventful and dull ! 1 down 5 more to go.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Tuesday before the Wednesday which is the day before we leave.
Today I am anxious. I have repacked, worn the clothes to see if they are comfortable in hot weather...its kind of hot here today. I am anxious about the travel, being so far away. I am also excited to go, facing my demons head on without medication.
Each day I am hoping to do most if not all of the following.
High's and Low's
What I did not know before
The tourist
The family
How I saw God work...
and what I would like to call...'Well, that was odd !'
Today I want to see how well my keyboard works on my Ipad and if writing on 'notes' will be a good option.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Pre..pre trip non shakes and non quivers...
Unusual for me...I have not been that nervous about the trip to Sumatra. I have not been checking the weather in all landing zones, nor have I had sleepless nights wondering what if. When I heard about the plane that crashed in SF...I did not reconsider nor check to see if I could cancel my tickets. IT is odd for me not to be nervous about flying, and for me not to be afraid. I am thankful, because such a state of mind can change the joy of any adventure. And this is an adventure and it will be fun and I am so thankful that Scott is on this adventure with me.
I have packed and repacked...I may be taking too much but maybe not. We are doing carry-on's rather then the full suitcase...it is only for 10 days.
In the book of Ephesian I am told.."Finally, let the Lord make me strong and depend on His mighty power". I want to walk in this while on every plane, in every landing and takeoff.
Toba Lake, in Sumatra, is a long way from Lynden town. We travel to Tokyo, Jakarta, Medan...taxi to Toba and ferry to the Island on the lake where we are staying. I am brushing up on my very limited Bahasa Indonesian and trying not to think about Mijo and Nick being here and having to 'people our fort'. I love the idea of the unexpected and letting go of expectations. Taking each day, full of it all...
Letting myself try what I wouldn't usually and getting up early to see the sunrise and making sure to see the sunset. I hope to listen to the stories of my families from Holland, Australia and Canada.
Come with....I will try and tell you the stories as I live them. If I can't here...I will on fb.
I have packed and repacked...I may be taking too much but maybe not. We are doing carry-on's rather then the full suitcase...it is only for 10 days.
In the book of Ephesian I am told.."Finally, let the Lord make me strong and depend on His mighty power". I want to walk in this while on every plane, in every landing and takeoff.
Toba Lake, in Sumatra, is a long way from Lynden town. We travel to Tokyo, Jakarta, Medan...taxi to Toba and ferry to the Island on the lake where we are staying. I am brushing up on my very limited Bahasa Indonesian and trying not to think about Mijo and Nick being here and having to 'people our fort'. I love the idea of the unexpected and letting go of expectations. Taking each day, full of it all...
Letting myself try what I wouldn't usually and getting up early to see the sunrise and making sure to see the sunset. I hope to listen to the stories of my families from Holland, Australia and Canada.
Come with....I will try and tell you the stories as I live them. If I can't here...I will on fb.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
It is warm...it is summer
If we believed our news channels we are on the edge of the apocalypse...
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