"When we weren't scratching each other's eyes out, we were making each other laugh harder than anyone else could."
Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Lucille Ball
Feb 19th 2011, JAKARTA SOEKARNO-HATTA International Airport - Here I was, the only white woman standing among hundreds of Indonesian drivers, mothers and children, waiting for the most important person in my life: my mom.
One of the many perks of being a teacher in the French Education System is the glorious, divine, extraordinary 16 week paid vacation... that's right you read it: 16. Now, one of the many perks of being a teacher in the French Education System in Indonesia is the cheap airfare to places like Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. And I won't lie: having awesome vacation to look forward to is part of how I'm able see Jakarta has a livable city.
For my mom's first time in Indonesia I had planned the following itinerary: a couple introductory days in Jakarta followed by 3 almost excessively relaxing days in Amed, Bali, a 4 day shopping spree in Ubud completed by 4 exceptional days on Gili Air, an island part of the big Island of Lombok. The actual unwinding of the plan exceeded my expectations: we had more fun than I could have ever hoped for.
I consider myself very lucky and privileged to have spent such quality time with my mom. Although her leaving Jakarta resulted in an intense though brief desolation , I now feel recharged and reenergized...
6 more weeks until Spring break ;).
Love C-.
Glad to know that your mom came to visit. Lucky you! My mom's health is not so great, so she can't come visit, but I would love for her to see how we live in Jakarta! I would also love for my dad and sisters to come visit here. We'll see that'll happen or not... I can't believe you get 16 weeks of paid vacation. That makes me want to work for the French school!! :)
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