Well arrived in Bali after my long flight, got off the plane and started sweating like I had never sweated before upon leaving the airport building. 3 volunteers arrived from the UK at the same time Sarah, Peter and myself. We were met by one volunteer Jenny, from the Netherlands, who has been working in Bali for about a year. Also met by two members of staff from the VSO office Bambang and Ujang.
For the first week stayed in a homestay near the beach in Sanur, where lots of couples seem to go for their honeymoons, and I was lucky as I got a room to myself, whereas other volunteers had to share. That night we went out with some other volunteers Mikal and John and found out in total we were eight newly arrived volunteers 3 from the Philippines, 2 from Canada and 3 from the UK. One bloke was supposed to come from Africa but had cancelled at the last minute.
That night had a cold shower which was so nice, meeting my new roommates, a cockroach and a geko not quite as much fun. Needless to say I had a fan in my room and slept like a baby on the first night.
The next day met for lunch on the beach with the rest of the VSO staff (on a sunday) and a group of local Balinese people who have disabilities to play beach games and get to now each other. We all had the most fantastic time and I got eaten by mosquito's and got very, very wet. But I also dried out very quickly. Did not sleep as well this night as I was more aware of strange insect noise, which kept me awake.
On Monday spent first full day in the VSO office undergoing some of the training, we had to attend the VSO for all five days in the fist weeks. Training covers different topics such as what we need to to get our allowance and other such things. Somehow I got voted to be president of the group, goodness knows how I obviously just look organised. Also became apparent that the 3 lads from the Philippines are all coming to the Island of Flores, whereas everyone else is going to be moving to South Sulawesi, another Island. So when we move to placements I will be in Retung and Danny and Lau will be Bajawa, fours hours away and Charlie will be in Maumere 8 hours from where I am. I am also the first volunteer to arrive to undertake disability work, so it has become quite a big thing.
It has been confirmed that when I initially move to my placement I will be living with the nuns in the convent. My first week also involves a five day festival to celebrate my arrival. Possibly the best induction to a job I have ever had!!
After the first week in the home stay I then moved in with a host family, where I will live for the next 6 weeks, this is to assist me in learning the language. I also attend language school everyday except weekends and Wednesdays. I am finding the language quite hard to master, but I am hoping with loads of practice some people will know what I am saying on Flores.
At the moment in Bali their Arts festival is taking place which is a massive event. Loads of traditional costumes and music. I will try and get some photos onto the Internet, just difficult as viruses are a big issue in Indonesia. We have warning not to expect placements to be like Bali as Bali is not the rest of Indonesia, so we are also preparing ourselves for another transition in the next few weeks, where we are more likely to experience poverty, malnutrition of young children and very high rates of maternal mortality, which has devastating impacts on families and communities. However is nice that the whole introduction is step bu step as I do not think I could have coped with the massive change all at the same time.
Until later, Sampai nanti Rachel
For the first week stayed in a homestay near the beach in Sanur, where lots of couples seem to go for their honeymoons, and I was lucky as I got a room to myself, whereas other volunteers had to share. That night we went out with some other volunteers Mikal and John and found out in total we were eight newly arrived volunteers 3 from the Philippines, 2 from Canada and 3 from the UK. One bloke was supposed to come from Africa but had cancelled at the last minute.
That night had a cold shower which was so nice, meeting my new roommates, a cockroach and a geko not quite as much fun. Needless to say I had a fan in my room and slept like a baby on the first night.
The next day met for lunch on the beach with the rest of the VSO staff (on a sunday) and a group of local Balinese people who have disabilities to play beach games and get to now each other. We all had the most fantastic time and I got eaten by mosquito's and got very, very wet. But I also dried out very quickly. Did not sleep as well this night as I was more aware of strange insect noise, which kept me awake.
On Monday spent first full day in the VSO office undergoing some of the training, we had to attend the VSO for all five days in the fist weeks. Training covers different topics such as what we need to to get our allowance and other such things. Somehow I got voted to be president of the group, goodness knows how I obviously just look organised. Also became apparent that the 3 lads from the Philippines are all coming to the Island of Flores, whereas everyone else is going to be moving to South Sulawesi, another Island. So when we move to placements I will be in Retung and Danny and Lau will be Bajawa, fours hours away and Charlie will be in Maumere 8 hours from where I am. I am also the first volunteer to arrive to undertake disability work, so it has become quite a big thing.
It has been confirmed that when I initially move to my placement I will be living with the nuns in the convent. My first week also involves a five day festival to celebrate my arrival. Possibly the best induction to a job I have ever had!!
After the first week in the home stay I then moved in with a host family, where I will live for the next 6 weeks, this is to assist me in learning the language. I also attend language school everyday except weekends and Wednesdays. I am finding the language quite hard to master, but I am hoping with loads of practice some people will know what I am saying on Flores.
At the moment in Bali their Arts festival is taking place which is a massive event. Loads of traditional costumes and music. I will try and get some photos onto the Internet, just difficult as viruses are a big issue in Indonesia. We have warning not to expect placements to be like Bali as Bali is not the rest of Indonesia, so we are also preparing ourselves for another transition in the next few weeks, where we are more likely to experience poverty, malnutrition of young children and very high rates of maternal mortality, which has devastating impacts on families and communities. However is nice that the whole introduction is step bu step as I do not think I could have coped with the massive change all at the same time.
Until later, Sampai nanti Rachel
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