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Embracing technology #65: I can upload to my blog via my email!!  How cool is that...very!!

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"The best way to travel for free, is to get lost in a good book." ~ Me

One week to Indonesia

So this time next Monday I will be on a plane headed to Korea for a layover then to Indonesia!! I am excited and scared at the same time.   Here are some of my fears:

• My first international trip and I am worried that I will forget something that I need to make my stay comfortable, can’t run to any Wal-Mart to get it (at least I don’t think there is a Wal-Mart there). 
• Heat: We are right along the equator, what kind of heat is that like? Will I sweat every time I walk outside? This 5K that we are going to do through the forests- I am going to be running along the equator did I say that!?!?!?!?
• The reputation of African American is not the best across the globe- go figure that, how am I going to be viewed? Will I be starred at?  What will the service be like for me in stores and restaurants?
• My hair: so I have had this reoccurring dream over the last 3 months that the Indonesians wanted to touch my hair and so they formed a line and took pictures with me.  Now I know that is over the top but I have had that dream like 3 times!!   I figure that I will be prepared just in case so I will wash my hair before I go and while I am there. Everyone deserved 15 minutes of fame; mine is just going to be in Indonesia!
• Am I going to bring my American-ness with me and not be open minded to the receiving the culture.  Now I have been researching the culture and the language I want to be in the right mind set when I arrive.  But we all know how Americans can be and the way American are viewed.

I am being honest here.  Trust me you all will get a very honest AJA!!  So I am not peaked yet but I have outfits all over house hanging, laying on the couch and floor.  I think that I have enough but I am going to take it in steps:

• Toiletries- pack those first. I am also going to carry with me a 3 oz version in my carryon justi n case something happens to my luggage
• Carry-on bag items: phone chargers, Nook charger etc.
• My book bag items: books, wipes flight info.
• Big suite case with clothes, shoes, some food items that I want to have with me like Almonds, other nonperishable that I can take to another country. 

Selamat tinggal, which means goodbye (I’m leaving) in Indonesian!!!                     

Handbook for Indonesia

So we were given a book all about Indonesia, it highlighted culture, communication, religion, behavior, food etc.  So as I am eagerly reading and learning more about Indonesia, there  are a couple of things that are of concern that may clash with the personality of Aja, you know the essence of why I am so awesome!!  Here they are:

•          No Physical contact between men and women:  I am a affirmer and sometimes I like to touch the arm, shoulder, if something is funny I may grab the arm in an OMG kinda way.
•          Be on time for any meetings: have they heard of Color People Time (CPT) I figure they fall into the color people. I was excited to see their version of CPT.
•          Always rise when your host/hostess enters the room: Ok now is this a Catholic church!! Does this pertain to only at food events? Because technically the whole country is hosting us, so I will have thighs the Governor of Californian, Arnold!!
•          Talking is impolite while eating: WHAT!! This is completely contrary to everything I know, that is when we really get some good conversation!!! What if the food is good, guess I wait to express.
•          Never allow your voice to get loud, whether in anger or joy: OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For all of you that know me, this is going to be the one that gets me put in jail!!!!!!!  Really, I am so excited to travel out of the country and you know how easily I get excited or joyful!!

So, I am excited to travel, when you travel you adjust to the customs and culture out of respect. Indonesia is a Muslim, 88% to be exact. So I may joke, but know that I will do my best to follow the customs and culture.  

Preparation, Packing and Posting

There is a lot of prep that goes into traveling across the world.   I have done all of my vaccinations, want to thank my parents for doing the basic ones so that I did not have to get many more shots at age of 32!!  I got new luggage, nice 4 piece red set from Coleman, so I am set!! NOT- I cannot take all 4 pieces over to Indonesia, so I will have to figure out what to take.  We have a layover in Korea so do I really want to lug all that stuff around with me, no is the answer.  So the technique of rolling my clothes will be the key to packing. 

As I said this is my first trip out of the United States.  At the age of 32 this African American woman will travel on a 22 hour flight to Indonesia.  I am excited and scared all at the same time.  I will explain in a later blog my fears and excitement- I promise.

International outlets are different than the ones in the US, so I purchased a kit that I can use all over the world as I travel.  Since we will be staying in the Residence Halls at Presidents University, I have to remember all the things I will need for my stay there, like shower shoes!!!!!