Part I: Bringing auntie back to Indonesia!

-Pictures are added at the end of the post. Happy reading-

It's been quite the year. A lot of things happened, things I shared and things I did not share. I guess in someway I am still trying to find my way back to normal me and that has been quite a bumpy ride from time to time. And everytime I think I'm there, it's like a bag of bricks (or sadness) hits me in the face. I haven't given some of the events time which I might have needed to process or heal. And usually that's what travelling brought me, happiness, and peace. And I did go away a few times, but very different from my usual travels, with limited time or to visit others. And I dont know if a few weeks or days away will get me that feeling back, that feeling of being me 100%, and so the urge to leave for a longer period of time has been nagging at me...every fiber in my body wants to, or maybe needs to, leave. But first things first, and that is to help others (and yes, I am well aware that is also a choice).

And so over a year ago me and my 'aunt' (not blood related but feels like an auntie/2nd grandma hence the ' ') started talking about her wanting to go back to Indonesia. She would say, her time had come and she wanted to spend what was left there. But there were always doubts, leaving my 'uncle' behind, and her cat. And so she kept postponing, especially when my uncle got sick. And so when we didn't go last November, I went to Madagaskar (a well needed trip for me), and then when we didn't go again in January, I went to Guatamala, and so on. And so we agreed, that no matter what, we would go end of jan 2024. And yet, here we are, november 2023. So what happened? Life happened. My uncle got sicker and eventually passed rather quickly in august, another thing I haven't given any time to process really. Because my focus went on getting my aunt to Indonesia. Focus on that so I wouldn't feel sad and I'll deal with that later (I know, will I ever learn?). But so I went into superspeed getting things done. I was on the phone whenever I could to get information and arrange whatever we needed. And borrowed a car, rented one or took the bike or bus there whenever I could. Luckily I had help from another one of her friends from here in the end when we had to get the house empty. And after hard work (mentally and physically), I found myself in the car with her and the other friend that helped, at 6 am on 11-11-2023 to take us to Schiphol Airport!

She had 3 bags, about 60kg all together and I had about 10kg. I checked and repacked her luggage a week before and the things she brought with her haha. One suitcase was full of towels, hand towels, kitchen towels (her kids were very happy with them btw). She also brought a brand new tosti grill we found at the house, which I thought we had taken it out but it was in her handluggage. I didn't find out until we got to Indonesia and I unpacked everything and went ohh that's why this bag was so heavy haha. It wouldn't have been something I would bring, but then again, what would I?

Anyway, airport check in, about 70kg together, we were allowed 60kg together but it wasn't a problem. No extra charges. We then went to the wheelchair assistence desk and there was a bit of miscommunication but we got one in the end after saying goodbye to her friend that drove us there. And my oh my, I told my mom if we ever travel together, she is getting one too! It gives you V.I.P. access! We cut lines everywhere (!!), which was great because I have never ever seen it this busy. Mind you, it was only an hour before our flight, but the lines at customs moved super slow. And we heard people complaining and wanting to cut lines and arguing and all I could do was look away, because our line (went before theirs as well). After passport control (my aunt got a stamp because she has an Indonesian passport, pretty cool!), we saw a golf cart standing there for the other people (that were being pushed by staff, I pushed the wheelchair myself) but we were on the list and so we got to go! My aunt had been talking about this as well for a while, because she remembered it from last time. So: check!

We got off at the gate and boarded right away, they had just started. And so the games begun, we both had an aisle seat next to each other but my row remained empty and so I already started holding it kind of so we could sit together. And the woman next to my auny, middle seat, was also excited about it and so we kept checking where people would be seated because people kept coming in. It took forever for Garuda to close the doors. About an hour later, they did and we got to sit together in a row of 3 seats, happy days!

Taking off!! It's like I'm back doing what I love, back to flying, back to me exploring the world, back to being me a bit more! And it always gives me a kind of soothing feeling to fly, I usually have my eyes closed for lift off, because I kind of doze off from relaxation hihi. And during the flight, I love being disconnected from the world for a bit yet traveling around the world.  My aunt next to me with an empty middle seat, helping her out as if I'm flying with my grandmother, something I never got to do and it felt nice to be able to with her. We had a meal, then some snacks (cemal cemil) and watched some movies, wasn't a whole lot and slept some and ate some more.

Getting into Jakarta, again, wheelchair at the go, this time one of the staffmembers pushed her and we went through so fast, also cut another line for me to get a visa on arrival. Just the bags took a bit long. And after going from one arrival to another, she was welcomed by her family, open arms, tears, smiles. And so was I, welcomed and thanked. I felt like Robert ten Brink in All you need is love hihi.

Oh yeah and before I forget, there was this Dutch guy at the airport, Schiphol, taking pictures with staff, so I guess he was famous..he was about 2meters, could have been more. Huge is what I remember and had a beard. Anyone??? - after asking Google who the tall, big Dutch guy with a beard is, it turns out it was; Olivier Richters 2.18m!

We (her daughter, grandkids and even a greatgrandkid) got to the house after a 2-2,5hr drive and the fun continued. The family was so happy! And I love this house! It reminded me of some of the hostels I stayed in, one that would make you happy. And I called it Happy house, or Fun house. And on the first day I asked her how many fridges she had, the daughter we stayed at, about 60. Such a happy, fun, sweet lady. I made her laugh a lot and she kind of reminded me a bit of my mom's sister that passed. Her smiles, her cheeks, kind eyes, short hair. The answer is 3 btw, 3 fridges and all full she said. And then I counted other stuff, because there wasn't anything there she just had one of. She even had 2 cats! And so much home made, gadgets, decorations, lovely place!

But also a house with turns because of the addition that was built for my aunt and so my aunt got lost a few times. In the end we swapped rooms so it would be easier for her. She had been used to her house in Holland and is 80+ so getting used to a new house, or even two, takes time. Before coming here, she stayed at a friends house at home for a few days because her house had to be emptied. But every day gets better. She told me not to ever leave and so did her daughter.

Spending this time with her is precious, there wasn't a whole lot to do around the house and we left the house twice to get her things. And I've been picking up and learning so much Indonesian there. And they were talking to one of the taxi drivers, including me from time to time and laughing and cheering when I knew some of the words and it made me think of my grandmother as well. And how almost magical it felt when I went to the Indonesian markets (pasar malam) in Holland with her and she spoke Indonesian and I was in awe, and also proud and I felt connected to that part of my heritage. And it also made me realize that I won't have anyone at home anymore to practice with, so I told my aunt later, we would have to do that over the phone hihi!

I met her other kids as well, a son and another daughter with her husband and one of her kids. They all thanked me which was very sweet. And the sisters made me their 'adopted sister' haha. The one I'm staying with speaks English, the others don't and so I always entertain them with the bit of Indonesian I know :-). Other than that, life here is pelan pelan, taking things easy. Food, groceries but also anything else gets delivered to the house no matter how small the order. I've been overjoyed with authentic satay ayam, gado gado, local snacks, krupuk, and manga's! Every day around 3 it was manga time!! Nom nom!

After a little over a week, it was time for me to go. And ofcourse I could not leave the house without food. The daughter made me two toasted sandwiches with omelet and her homemade mayonnaise and a bag of local snacks. Good food for travelling, because around 730 am (he was early, was suppose to be 8, what happened to pelan pelan?) I was picked up for the airport to go to Baliii!!
Its very strange saying goodbye after a week and leaving my aunt behind. She told me last night that she would miss me and would just sleep day and night until I return. But with her new phone, I'm sure she will be fine :-). She has been calling a lot of her friends and family here since she got it! She is also going to her other daughter soon, the one I met a few times since I got here, and will be there monday (senin)-thursday (kamis). She'll be meeting more family during her stay there and I hope that she will have gotten used to things here by the time I get back. If not, she can come back with me in my suitcase hihi.