Bule! Bule!

Back from another long day exploring Semarang. It was my first time on a motorbike, and I loved it. Sure my ass hurt a bit on the rocky roads, but on both sides of me, I see ricefields, trees, grass, farmers fishing, and suddenly my ass doesn't seem to care so much anymore. He (sorry! I'm no good with Indonesian names) asked me if it's like this in my country. I told him no, this country is a lot more peaceful.

Played with some angry, greedy monkeys today! They are really eager for peanuts! We had to hike down the hill to see the waterfall and caves. I wanted to die! It never ceases to amaze me how the heat and all the uphill walking never fazes them! They are like super people! Or maybe it's Americans that really like to sit on their bottoms all day. Afterwards, we visited the Great Mosque in Semarang. And after that, we visited the beach. I've never seen so much clothing on a beach before, haha.

When I was deciding whether I should visit Indonesia or not, the travel warning for Americans really concerned me. On top of that, my parents and close friends warned me about Moslem extremists and I was crazy for an American to visit a Moslem country for so long. I've come to realize that it was all negative speculation from people who really don't know what they are talking about. I'm not saying to ignore the recent Jakarta hotel bombing or any other terrorism directed at Westerners in Indonesia, but it would be wrong to say that the entire country is hostile to Westerners. Since I've been here, I've met the kindest people I have ever met. I feel sad that I have to leave Dejavato and move in with my host family. It's only been less than a week, and I've grown so attached to this place. In fact, I've grown attached to the people I met today whom I toured Semarang with, especially the person whose jacket I've spent a good couple hours holding for dear life.

So there we were sitting outside the Mosque waiting for our friends to finish praying, which is pretty much the most Moslem place there is, and remained unharmed. Instead, people wanted to take picture with the "bule," or "white foreigner." Of course, they were not addressing me, but Maddy and Alexia. They were full of smiles. I swear, here in Semarang, being a "bule" will make you the most popular person around the area. So many funny stories.

Long story short, I've never been happier anywhere in my life.