Home at Last

It was so nice to sleep in my own bed in my own apartment. After traveling for two days, I was able to stay awake until the impressive hour of 8pm before falling into my bed. Before I get lost in the joys of being back in the land of street lights, sidewalks, and Diet Dr. Pepper, I thought I should share the highs and lows of my last week in Indonesia.

I finished my project deliverables! It was after all the reason I was in Indonesia. The last week was a frantic exercise in time management to finish all the edits and formatting on the manuals I was creating, but I was able to get it all done and submitted to my organization before the end of Friday rolled around. It was nice to leave without having any project work needing to be finished.

I was also able to get a couple new experiences in Jakarta before flying out.

View from Sky Bar. 

Interesting art display in Pacific Place mall. 

Cocktail at Potato Head.

Milk shake at Magnum Bar Cafe. 

Dessert at Magnum Bar Cafe.

It is hard to believe now that I am back that 11 weeks have gone by. My apartment looks the same, though a little messier than I thought (I might miss the housekeeping that came with my Kost). I remember my way to the grocery store, though remember that there are crosswalks and sidewalks seems a little harder. If you every get the chance to travel to Indonesia do not pass it up. It is an amazing and diverse country, and there are still many places I hope to explore one day. I just would not suggest Jakarta as a destination. 

Hump Day

Today is hump day in more than one way. It is Wednesday. It also the middle of my time in Indonesia. Starting tomorrow I will have been in Indonesia for more days than I have remaining. It is hard to believe that time has gone by so quickly.

The count down begins, 38 days until I return to - my apartment complete with its little kitchen (it has been almost two months since I have baked cookies), the Very Versatile Versa (my car) and my ability to negotiate traffic free Little Rock (never again will I complain about traffic), reliable internet (I will enjoy being able to stream television and having my smart phone back), and of course me friends and family (Aunt MissE - I never doubted that you would remember to pick me up at the airport on August 6).

Muffins

Carmelita Bars

There are also many things that I will miss from my time in Indonesia - fresh juices (pineapple, mango, avocado which I still have to try), the foods (especially the Tahu Kari from my favorite dinner restaurant and tempe and green beans from my favorite lunch spot), and my Indonesian friends.

Nasi Campur

Pineapple Juice at Tanah Lot

Today was also a day for goodbyes. Before coming into work this morning I put my mom in a taxi to head to the airport and then back to the states. She was a little apprehensive about actually making it to the airport. We did have a little mix-up on our way to Bali. I assured her that I had no special ability to ensure that the taxi driver dropped her off at the International Terminal. As I have learned, it is not that the taxi driver is trying to drop you off in the wrong place, they genuinely do not know where they are going. I will miss my mom and travel partner, she has traveled 5 of the 7 continents with me. Though she claims to have traveled to all 7 before me, I still discount a day trip to Morocco as Africa.

Australia

Asia

Antartica