In addition to weather, mother nature also brings an onslaught of annoyances from the animal kingdom here in Sumatra. I’ve become more comfortable with spiders but have grown to fear bees and wasps much more. I’ve come to terms with spiders being a part of life here and I know that they do keep the… Continue reading
Month: May 2011
Holiday in Cambodia
It’s now 3 weeks into my two month contract. I’m in Indonesia on a 30 day tourist visa which meant from the beginning that I would have to handle my visa issue at the end of May. Luckily, there is a contact in Medan that works who will sponsor me to get a 30 day… Continue reading
5 Habits You Should Change When in Thailand
I’m not an expert on Thai culture but as I recently finished up my fourth month in the country I feel there are 5 tips I can share that might set you apart from others when visiting. I gathered these by talking to Thais and asking them to speak to me candidly about certain habits… Continue reading
Happy Independence Day Somaliland! May 18
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! Somaliland 20th Annivewrsary 18 May 11 Just wanted to wish a Happy Independence Day to all of my readers in Somaliland. I was fortunate enough to spend a week and a half in your country in January and felt welcome every step of the way. I know recognition from the international community… Continue reading
How Joey Got His Groove Back
I finished the first full week of teaching last week. I will admit, I was a broken man by Thursday. Starting out has been tough. I have no arsenal of lesson plans and even though the internet is a great resource nothing could get me ready for starting out my volunteer teaching here Sumatra other… Continue reading
How to use a mandi (Indonesian bath)
A mandi is a traditional Indonesian way of washing oneself where you take a small scoop dipped into a large tub or container of cold water and pour the water over yourself. It’s accompanied by an eastern style squat toilet in which the mandi is also used as a means of washing after going to… Continue reading
Day 1 of Teaching is Over
So, my first full day of teaching English as a foreign language is over. It was an interesting start. The morning class is for the staff here at the clinic. Ive already been hanging out here a lot and chatting with them so I knew who my students were going to be. The only new… Continue reading
Selemat Hari Ibu! Happy Mother’s Day!
Hey Mom! This is a blog card for you on Mother’s Day! I figure this will do since Skype kept hanging up on you when I tried calling. Indonesians don’t celebrate their mother’s day until December 22nd but the staff here at Bukit Lawang Trust Clinic were kind enough to help me out! -Love Joey
Back in the Muslim World
This is another refreshing feeling. I have no words to explain it but I find myself gravitating towards the Muslim world for some reason. Not because I am doing any sort of spiritual transformation into Islam, but instead there is an attraction to it that I can’t fully explain. My experience with Islam and traveling… Continue reading
Living in Sumatra
Time to Freak Out I considered waiting to write until after things got better because I know they will. However, It would be more interesting to go back and look at how unnecessarily worried I was. In short, this is going to be long two months in Sumatra. I’m not so concerned that it won’t… Continue reading