Indonesia (August 2011)
Habitat for Humanity : Indonesia
Our Habitat for Humanity Indonesia team spent two weeks building two homes for a couple of Balinese widows. The village women worked side by side with us, carrying cinder blocks on their heads. Although everyone in the village spoke little english, they were all so grateful for our help. The last day of our build, one of the women grabbed my hand through the window of the van and thanked me. To have such an impact on people's lives is such a great feeling.
Bali was a magical place with vivid greenery, rice terraces and beautiful sunrises. I also discovered my favorite fruit - a Tamarillo (known as Dutch Eggplant in Bali)! I've never seen so many motorcycles in my whole life, it seemed as though all the locals drove them! I also couldn't believe that they burned their garbage in order to get rid of it.
While there, we witnessed a Hindu ritual where the water was blessed and food was offered to the gods, we visited the Sacred Monkey Forest, we visited a batik factory and watched dolphins jumping through the water during sunrise. It was also my first time eating duck!
While there, we witnessed a Hindu ritual where the water was blessed and food was offered to the gods, we visited the Sacred Monkey Forest, we visited a batik factory and watched dolphins jumping through the water during sunrise. It was also my first time eating duck!
Until my trip to Indonesia, I loved monkeys. I thought they were the cutest things ever! At the Monkey Forest, I was bending down to take a picture of a little baby monkey when all of the sudden I felt something on my back. Since the pathway was small, I thought it was someone walking by me and touching my shoulder to make sure I don't stand up and bump into them. So I didn't turn around or think anything of it. A couple of seconds later, I figured out it was not someone briefly touching me - it was the mama monkey on my back. It was one of the most frightening moments of my life and I couldn't believe it didn't try to bite me. I will forever have this terrible memory in my head. And I will never see monkeys as the cute, furry creatures I once thought they were.
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