On September 7 I had my last week for city tour. I felt so happy but so sad too because it was my last tour. I do not actually know what to feel there is a mix of emotions inside of me but still I think I enjoyed it . Before going to our first destination Pak Purnama the SEAMEO coordinator from UHAMKA asked me, Ms.Jelyn and ms.Christine to attend an orientation seminar for the freshmen students of UHAMKA. We were able to meet other staffs, department heads and deans of the college.
We were surprised that Pak Purnama also invited 3 other filipinos from the SEATVET Program to also join the orientation. It was our first time to to meet them, we were so happy to meet each other and have a new friends from the Philippines. They were Ms.Jocelyn, Ms.Marianne and from La Union,Pangasinan. They were friendly and fun to be with so there is no such dull moments with them. What we did is just to have fun and enjoy our time together. One of the staff in UHAMKA also asked us to have a video greetings and stories about our experiences in Indonesia like the places, the people, the schools, the foods and other traditions in Indonesia specially in Jakarta.
After our activities from UHAMKA my buddy Ragil together with his family, Mama Lilis, Papa and his younger brother Rama accompany us to go for our city tour. Our first stop is in Taman Mini Indonesian Indah where they said that it is like a miniature of the whole Indonesia. I think they said that because you were be able to see places in indonesia in TMII but in a smaller way. We go first go to Sumatera Tribe where we see some houses the used to lived with in real life. We can also see some dress and artifacts they used for their daily lives. Inside the houses there were small stalls there where we can rent dresses and head dresses for us to look like an indonesians living in a sumatera. We took some photos together and and individually and also some videos too. After going to sumatera tribe we next decided to go to miniature of Bali,Indonesia. Everyone is excited to go in Bali place because we all know is one of the most beautiful and famous place in Indonesia and also the world. We were just amazed and happy to be in Bali’s miniature, the structures of houses and the spots inside is just so beautiful and colorful. It was a good experience being in a beautiful places in TMII. Even though it was not the actual place of Bali we were still happy and feel like we have been to real Bali too.
At around 4 p.m. decided to go to Lubang Buwaya which is not so far from Taman Mini. Ragil’s father wanted us to go there and we all agree because Ms.Jelyn and Ms.Christine wants to go there too. We arrived at Lubang buwaya at around 4:45 p.m. Before going inside we have some snacks first and after taking snacks we go together inside. What’s inside the Lubang Buwaya is the monument of the 7 heroes of Indonesia who fight for their sovereignty of Indonesia. We also able to see the command post and places where some indonesian fighters buried in. I and ragil also see mobile cars and used by military during the war. There are some actual clothes that they were used the war with bloods and it was preserved in a museum. It was just unfortunate that we did not able to go inside the museum because it was closed already.
At 6 in the evening we go back to PKP but before going to our dorms, Mama lilis bring us to a food store where we can eat a good nasi goreng or fried rice in indonesia. It taste so good and everyone was so satisfied and full after eating. After having a little time for rest, Papa bring us back to our dorms. We arrived at dorms at around 9 p.m. and I thank ragil and his family for accompanying me for my city tour. I am so very happy to finally meet ragil’s family and go for a tour with them. They told me that I am also part of their family now and I am so happy to hear that I feel so blessed to have them for my stay in indonesia.
After going inside my room I decided to take a shower, have some time to prepare my things for the tour in the next day and off course pray to God for guiding me and blessing me for the whole day.
JOHNRELLEMATTHEW 