Back to the shire - Ongoingboy
Flight → Quarantine → Short stay in Jakarta → Another flight to Banda Aceh
Dear reader and Airbender,
As you’re reading this letter, I’m leaving the Netherlands. I am returning to Indonesia to work from home. I’m half thrilled and half nervous, to be honest. I’m looking forward to seeing my family and having a more familiar culture including more suitable cuisines and more stable weather. I’m half nervous because I will live in Aceh and well, technically I never live in Aceh. I went there many times but in a vacation context. Some familiarity and some novelty await me.
This reminds me of a quote in Titik Nol (Site Zero or the literal translation: Point Zero) from Agustinus Wibowo, an Indonesian traveler and author.
“Perjalanan adalah belajar melihat dunia luar, juga belajar untuk melihat ke dalam diri. Pulang memang adalah jalan yang harus dijalani semua pejalan. Dari Titik Nol kita berangkat, kepada Titik Nol kita kembali.”
Translation
“Travel is about learning to experience the outside world and also learning to look inside. Going back home is naturally a path that must be followed by all travelers. From Site Zero we depart, to Site Zero we return.”
I can tell that I learned a lot in the Netherlands and I’m really grateful for it. For the last two and a half years, I was exposed to international higher education and various culture. I can see how good urban planning can improve people's sanity. I also saw how winter makes me mellow (which is actually not a nice experience but it is still an experience nonetheless.) It is a full pack of new experiences.
I’m pretty sure I will realize more changes happened to me when I finally got home because I will see many old things in contrast with my current understanding. I hope I don’t get arrogant because of the new degree that I have with me.
Some nugget
To prolong this newsletter a bit, I look for something quick to serve. I found these two links last month and they are delightful. Click the link. Click it. Please? Thank you.
See you in March 2022
That’s all for today. Thank you for being here. We (me and the other me) hope you find something fun to read and think about.
Your random neighbour,
Julivius