Java day-by-day

From February 2nd to 6th we were divided into four groups. We lived with local families in different villages in the district of Gunung Kidul.

February 2nd

Group 1
We arrived in Gabug in the morning. We were the first group to be dropped off.

We met our family and after that we went to talk to the Gadjah Mada students who lived at the Kepala Dusun’s house. We had some good lunch there and afterwards we took a walk in the area of the village. It was very hot so we did not walk too far. We got back in time for Friday prayer, where most of the men attended. In the evening we talked to our family and got to know them better.

Group 2
We drove from Yogya to Gunung Kidul,

through the Bantul district, the district most hardly affected by the earthquake in May 2006. Still a lot of damage and reconstruction work was visible along the way. Arrived in the sub-village of Wuni and met the family we should stay with for the next five days.

The facilities are not outstanding, we just have to get used to taking the showers in rainwater. But what lacks in facilities the family makes up for in hospitality! After unpacking, we went for a walk with two students from Gadjah Mada University to see the village where we live and another village close by. Later in the afternoon, we went out on our own. We met Isiti, a very friendly English speaking woman living in Gunung Kidul, before we were searched for by the Gadjah Mada students and they drove us home.

Group 3

We arrived at our host family’s house in Karang Wetan. We received a warm welcome; we also meet the students who would be our translators for the next few days. We were even allowed to attend the Friday prayer; we got to sit in the back with the other girls during the whole service. We’d been hoping for this opportunity the whole trip and finally we got the chance.

Group 4
As the rest of the groups, we where placed in Gunung Kidul district, in the sub- village of Jerug.

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