My Life in Short Stories: 6. Beautiful Indonesia

1982-1985

In October 1982 my children were finally able to leave Iran and join me in Indonesia. In my mind and in conversations with my friends and colleagues, I had repeatedly envisioned their arrival and what would follow when they were safely in my arms and care. My plans covered a range of activities starting with preparation for their schooling followed by taking every opportunity to embark on a journey to explore and to enjoy the country. We had so much to do and so much to be grateful for.

Indonesian Nature

Indonesian Beaches

Indonesia is an archipelago comprised of a cluster of 17,508 islands, of which, 6000 are inhabited. The country’s population was estimated as 237.6 millions in 2010 coming from 300 ethnic groups. We were stationed in Jakarta the capital city, and the availability of Jakarta International School (JIS) was extremely valuable for the children’s education. They were admitted to the school and placed in appropriate grades based on a credential evaluation. They didn't lose any credits since they attended a similar bilingual school in Tehran which was tragically shut down after the revolution.

Jakarta - Indonesia

While situating them at the school, I was also aware of their need for emotional healing for what they went through in Iran including their recent separation from their father as well as their home country. I requested the school counselor to support the children in this respect in the process of their education.

We were blessed to have the support of the Indonesian community, the Iranian expatriates, and of course my WHO community. We were advised to create jobs for the local people so we enlisted the services of a driver, a gardener, a cook, and two helpers. They helped us with everything and some of them were live-ins. They were considered our extended family.

Indonesian, Iranian, and Thai Friends

Iranian Friends

Iranian Friends

Wedding of a friend's son

Indonesian Colleagues

Indonesian and Thai Colleagues

We loved Indonesia and we were fascinated with the kindness of the Indonesian people, the culture, the history, the art forms and performances, the cuisine, and the breath-taking sceneries and natural beauties of the country. We quickly picked up the Indonesian language which is rather easy to learn because it does not conjugate in the past or present. You simply time stamp your present-tense statement by attaching a “yesterday” or “tomorrow” to it for example. The locals were pleasantly surprised when we spoke in their native tongue and bargained with them at the markets. This is a culturally expected interaction when shopping.

We visited the Borobudur temple in central Java which according to available information was built in the 9th century and abandoned in the 14th century after the decline of Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms in Java and conversion of Javanese people to Islam. However, the monument is a shrine as well as a place for pilgrimage. Once a year during the full moon in May or June, Buddhists visit the temple and observe the Vesak day in commemoration of the birth and death of Buddha and the day is a national holiday in Indonesia. The Borobudur temple is preserved through several restorations and the monument is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Prambanan near Borobudur 

With Children in Borobudur Temple

Borobudur Temple

We visited Bali Island which is surrounded by coral reefs and beautiful beaches. Bali is considered one of world’s best islands, ranked second after Greece. It is known for its diverse and sophisticated art forms such as painting, sculpture, wood carving, handcrafts and performing arts. We enjoyed the Balinese dances and sacred rituals such as Barong dance and the extra ordinary art of Wayang Kulit or shadow puppets with a Gamelan orchestra. Gamelan is percussion orchestra music and it represents a native art form. We loved the music and we learned that people consider it sacred and believe that it has supernatural power.

Hindu Temple in Bali

Bali Temple

Shadow Puppet Show

Wood Carving of Bali

 My job as a WHO nurse educator working with the Ministry of Health, the Indonesian nurses, the medical professionals and the University of Indonesia in Jakarta was extremely productive and rewarding and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work in Indonesia. At one time, in a ceremony where the nursing profession was being honored by the president of Indonesia, I got the opportunity to meet with President Suharto in his presidential palace.

With President Suharto

At Presidential Palace

On another occasion I joined my Indonesian colleagues to visit the Irian Jaya province, presently called West Papua, which refers to the whole of the Indonesian portion of New Guinea. The province is the largest eastern province of Indonesia and is six hours by plane from Jakarta. We had the opportunity to visit a health center and to talk with the local communities. At one of the local huts we saw a one hundred year old mummified corpse in a sitting position and we were told that he was the oldest and the most senior member of the family and his body was preserved based on family traditions. According to literature, deliberate mummification is a feature of several ancient cultures.

West Papua (Irian Jaya)

A Mummified Corpse

A Souvenir Picture 

Wood Carving of West Papua

For summer vacation we could not visit Iran given the political unrest there so we went to France and spent several wonderful summer vacations there as well. We had the opportunity to expand our horizons and to become exposed to various cultures which to this day, I find invaluable.

Two years flew by and soon it was time for my son to graduate from high school. He was accepted at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana and left Indonesia in 1984. In addition to getting used to my son's absence, the year ahead came with many trials and tribulations but I had no idea then that one of the hurdles I would have to overcome, would be life threatening.



To be continued….