Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Tanjung Balai Mission Trip

indonesian kids
adorable indonesian kids giving us a warm farewell before we left

This holidays for me, has been a very fulfilling one. I've learnt alot. As you guys would know, I came back from the Tanjung Balai Mission Trip last Thursday and you know what? The experience I got was priceless. I was there to teach English to some of the students but I felt it was more like a cultural immersion trip. Yes, I did have some delicious Indonesian food (some of which I will show you at the end of the post) and we did have to make do with squat toilets that don't come with a flush and bathing with cold cold water with a pail. But what I brought back with me was something so much more intangible.

Why? Because I find that most of the time, when we are in our comfort zone too often, we tend to take things for granted. A smile becomes so rare and a frown seems easier. Time passes so fast here. When I was there for 4 days, every second seemed like eternity but in a good way. I got to ponder and reflect and just soak up the scenery in all its glory. Mingling with the locals were a bonus. They're just so hospitable! I took alot of pictures but I will show you a few (esp since this is a foodblog!), so enjoy...

Kids on Parade

Aren't the kids so cute in their costumes? They performed an ensemble piece for us. Awww....


wooden bus

This is the wooden buses we traveled in. It's so cute and hardy! It can travel over bumpy terrain with ease. Good stuff. I like sticking my head out of the window to enjoy the cool breeze.

St Emmanuel School

This is St Emmanuel School, and we stayed at the dormitories here.

night shot

Some photography shots for you. This was taken in the night when it was pitch black. I relied on the bright moon and slow shutter speed to capture this. I really like it. Looks haunting doesn't it?

chameleon cat

Notice how the cat blends in with the background? It's such a pretty cat! Here is she with her kittens:

mother cat with her kittens

I managed to catch a beautiful sunrise when I was there. here's one of a peeking sun:

peeking sun

The sun when out in its full glory:

bright shining sun

Beautiful ain't it? Anyway here's some food pictures:

snacks
snacks prepared for us by the locals

We ate lunch at this pseudo kelong on the last day, before we headed home. It was delicious I tell ya! I managed to snap a few quick shots before the food disappeared:

yummy prawns
yummy prawns

chilli crabs
huge chilli crabs with lots of flesh and roe

fishie
some fish, not sure which one is it though.

chilli sotong
sambal sotong (squid). very yummy!

tasty chicken
tasty fried chicken

So there you have it, my first mission trip in photos and words. But before I go, here's one shot I like alot because it reminds me of how blessed I am and how easy it is to be caught in the quicksand of a robotic life. I will forever remember that despite how tough life here seems to be, it is worse for others elsewhere and that if they can grin and bear and manage to smile so brightly with whatever they have, then I can too:

3 indo girls
Say Cheese!

Here's something I came up with and I want to share it with ya'll :

"It's time to dump your inhibitions, flirt with dreams, and intoxicate yourself with the elixir of life"

So smile to a stranger, savour each grain of rice and haha share that bar of chocolate with someone! :) Cheers!

6 comments:

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Your trip must have been very interesting and fulfilling...

Nice pictures!

Anonymous said...

U re very insprired lady. I admired u. Its true wat u said "when we are in our comfort zone too often, we tend to take things for granted." U reminds me of myself sometimes being easily to frown cos of small little things. Thanks! enlightened***

Kampungkai said...

it's hard to share my bar of snickers :( i cant let go off it.

very beautiful pics, and that pic really looks eerie creepy (trying to look for white figures by the window)

Anonymous said...

Hi,tell u what-we share a common dream-Cordon Bleu.I am a pastrycook myself & passionate about my work.
sharon_shuella@hotmail

Anonymous said...

i love reading ur blog =) = ysl_mt@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Love the photos... Especially the ones with the children. I also have a blog on Tanjung Balai Karimun with some beautiful sunset photos

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