Geografiana Blog

With all do respect and sympathy to the Aceh tsunami victims, I really enjoy living here in Banda Aceh. It has been eight months since my arrival, began as a volunteer, collect and publish data to other volunteers who need to know where and how was the tsunami survivors, and giving humanitarian assistance in January 2005.

It was no fun seeing such a tragedy in this northern tip of Sumatra, a catastrophe to my fellow Indonesian - although many of ‘em deny Indonesia as their country and fight for their own freedom - and muslims.

After a few months and got used to the rythm (and culture) of this city - I know it’s not that same as before, and the city itself rehabilitating with aid from all over the world, I found it like an oasis to my thirsty. Not to mention how easy to find a coffee shop, a place I dreamt about in Depok for relaxing after office hours before December 2004. Get your laptop to the open space coffeeshop and connect to the world with free wireless internet access, the things you won’t find in Jakarta (do not compare to $tarbuck$ who charge you 20 times more expensive for a cup of coffee).

How I enjoy jogging with a sea view and wind in Lampuuk Beach, Lhok Nga. Compared to UoI Campus or Senayan Square, I like it here more. Too bad this spot is owned by a private company, and closed for public before the tsunami. All I know that the beach is a public space, no one can’t claim an ownership. Try visit this spot every afternoon after office hours, you will find people relaxing here, jogging, swimming, surfing, playing with dogs, playing soccer, etc.. specially in weekend days.

How I enjoy staying in Banda Aceh suburban, with a hill view and windy environment, sometime the wind scares me though… I’ve never experienced the sound of wind like in here except from the movie, and when the strong wind come it shake the house like an earthquake. An office and a house with full of laugh and smile from my co-workers, from Jakarta and Aceh where I can spent post office hours in the front yard enjoying sunset behind the hill - I also can’t have this scene in smoggy Jakarta-Depok sky. I become more aware to the nature event. I can tell that there is gonna be an earthquake in 1-5 seconds (seconds??? what an early warning system…) at least I can leave my risky spot under the stair in office to find safer place.

How I enjoy living in this multiethnic-and-nationality city where people from all over the world works here as consultant, volunteer or may be just ordinary office worker.

How I enjoy spending my long weekend in Weh Island, a peaceful and quite tourist island just an hour by ferry, north of Banda Aceh. Leyeh-leyeh, snorkling, swimming, and may be later I’ll try diving.

Well… open your eyes, smell your world. May be you’ll find your place is much better than I have here.

Enjoy the World!