Last week we went to a pesantran for a “ceremony”. (A pesantran is a muslim boarding school). Everything around here is a ceremony. This is to celebrate the students who have successfully memorized the Koran. It was the most unbelievable thing. It only happens once a year and people travel from Jakarta and further to attend. The feeling you get when you are sitting with hundreds of women, covered in the scarves and drapey dresses, as they pray and chant and cry is, well-there are no words. We had all been there about 2 weeks ago, with the goal of us each teaching a lesson. The staff of the school were so friendly, the women chatty and the men polite and courteous. It was the same this time, but even more so. The staff at this pesantran is so grateful to VIA for partnering with them. VIA currently has posted one English teacher at their school, Becca. She is a lovely young girl who is also studying Javanese dance (yes, i said lovely). Anywho, we arrived at the school promptly at 6pm. The street was packed with people, elbow to elbow, selling anything from jilbabs to Iron Maiden t-shirts. I even saw a Heineken t-shirt. I wonder if they know what Heineken is? Once we were greeted by the principal and other teachers (probably close to an hour after we got there), we were ushered inside through swarms of people
It was a spectacular event. There are so many things to share about this, I doubt my memory will be able to support them all.
I have to be honest here. I think that if I were to have gone to a similar event in the states, before ever coming to Indonesia, I would have been frightened. Women and children, in most cases separated from the men, sitting on the floor as the students sat in the front (semi-stage like) chanted prayers and parts of the Koran. The woman (and some of the children but mostly the women) were chanting/praying along. They were doing it so hard that they were crying…hysterically. Anyone ever see not without my daughter? They were all covered head to toe. Now, I expected this because I have been to this place before. But seeing it on this scale was really incredible.
Now keep in mind that I am in a knee length ‘pencil skirt’ and a fitted button down. And a headscarf. Scary Mary if I ever saw one. What would possess me to wear such an outfit? I have no clue. I certainly was the ONLY person in the ENTIRE place with ANY skin showing. Definitely the tramp of the crowd. Of course not on purpose. My rational was that I looked conservative, ironed shirt, etc. Next time I will opt for sweatpants and a sweatshirt. I don’t think it matters so much how ‘nice’ your outfit is as long as you are covered.
The kids at this school are incredible. Basically, they make American kids with their band, soccer, piano, theatre and swimming lessons look like lazy bastards. First of all, their day starts at 3am. These kids learn Arabic and English, and already speak Indonesian (and alot speak Javanese). In addition to their regular classes, they take intensive religious classes, and they memorize the entire Koran. Plus they do normal kid stuff like music lessons and sports. Their classes end at 7pm at which time they do their homework. And they are nice, polite and respectful to adults. Maybe I will send my kid to one.
So that was last weekend. This past week was uuuhhhhh! I bought a new computer. My old computer, rest in peace, is on it’s last leg, and my choices once I get to Jambi will be slim, and that is being generous. I need it for school…I have alot of writin’ to do. I bought a Lenovo 410 (used to be IBM- I think they are owned by the Chinese government..whoo hoo!) and boy is she fast. And then I got my Ipod stolen. Whatevs. I will get a new one later. I guess instead of music I will listen to the voices in my head! Sometimes they sing so thats good. What else?
i leave here on Thursday to fly to Sumatra. Oh yeah, did I ever mention I am on Java. Anyway, yeah, I take an overnight train to Jakarta, spend one full day hanging out then i fly to Jambi, my new home. I think I start work on Monday…OMG! I know I have been away now for a month and a half but it has been training after training, school and whatnot. Now I begin the real journey…
