Cicak, Pernikahan, Graffiti:

Six weeks in and I've decided it's time to finally post on the blog. As I type this, I realize how difficult it is to sum up my experience here so far. There's just way too much going on here - and my experiences of being here have varied so much from moment to moment - that to try to summarize is simply futile. The pictures that accompany this post - of street graffiti, a traditional Javanese wedding ('pernikahan' in Indonesian) and a cicak lizard (for Jonas!), although selected randomly, do start to get at the extreme variety of my experiences here so far, which have also included traditional dance, hipster rock concerts, ancient Hindu temples, and the most amazing tempe I have ever tasted.

I will say, however, that overall I love living here in Yogyakarta. My homestay family, the first people here I started getting to know, are really excellent, open, and welcoming people who made the transition infinitely more smooth. Alam Bahasa, the language school where I studied Indonesian intensively for all of July and will continue to study regularly throughout the next two years, is a really impressive organization with some wonderful teachers who have made learning Indonesian even more fun than it already is. Maya, the current "senior Shansi fellow" in Yogya, as well as Guy, the outgoing fellow, and the fellows from Aceh have all been wonderful in helping with the adjustment as well. I'm extremely lucky to be able to learn from them, about everything from how to order new gas for my stove (yesterday's adventure) to how to prep for my first day of teaching (today!)

Although I can't deny that I've been homesick, on balance I feel extremely grateful that I get to call this place home for the next two years. I look forward to the surprises and challenges in store, and of course to keeping in touch with friends and family - feel free to email (enolanthomas@gmail.com), skype me, or post on this blog!

love,
Emma