Sumatra – Samosir

So what does our day look like? At first I felt really uncomfortable, Ibu and her family feeding us and sharing their home is no small thing. We wanted to do some work to help out but, I think we seemed rather useless and Ibu kept saying we’ll talk about it later when we offered to pay.

Anyway the family was often up before us to set about their day. We would have breakfast with Ibu. This usually consist of rice and cooked spicy meat and vegetables. Bananas and avocado always available. The latter very creamy and very slightly sweet, rather like milk can be a bit sweet.

For Drinking water they have huge bottles of mineral water so we were also ok to drink it.

Next washing the dishes, (from the day before as well as from breakfast) we would go to the lake a few meters from the house.

You will see in the video we all wear sarongs so we can wash ourselves afterwards too. We also washed our clothes here. We have so few clothes between us and because we get so hot and sweaty every day, we seem to be permanently washing them. There is a twin tub washing machine in the bathroom but Ibu’s mother prefers us to use the lake.

On one occasion the children came to swim too and Ibu showed us how our sarongs can be used to make a float by holding them out and jumping in so it captures the air. It’s very effective, I did it by accident one time and nearly up-ended myself and exposed myself as the fabric rode up, luckily no one was there when that happened.  Another float a bucket held by the sides.

Ifrieda showed us around for the first few days, she is cheerful and knows everyone. I love the way the Batak and Indonesian language has loud rolled R’s and I love the way she seems so forthright.

I can now say very few words in Indonesian like ‘thank you, enough, you’re welcome and ant’ (don’t as me why but Forhis ‘ant’ stuck!) maybe it’s because there are so many of them from miniscule to huge!

I like Tatjana’s manner, she was quietly persistent about us helping, she would chase the chickens off the veranda or do sweeping etc, and I followed her lead so that we could contribute. I’m not sure I would have been as persistent after being told ‘no’ but she did it in such a charming or funny way and it paid off as you will see later.

Efrieda’s mum went to market the day after we arrived so after our morning wash we went to see her and visit the market.

Getting there was by public transport (motorcycle and side car).

There were a few European faces but, only a couple.

Ibu was always being asked about us, (and many were her relatives), they often thought Tatjana looked young (occasionally me also). Ibu was always saying that we were in Samosir looking for Son’s/Daughters-in-law’s for our offspring!!!

One thing that is difficult for us is resting in the afternoons, and although the heat snapped me it was difficult just to lay down. Not anymore! Everyone here rests and snoozes during the afternoons. Sometimes there were things left half done!

When the children were about, I would play cards with them in the evenings but usually after dinner it was early to bed.

I’ll tell you a bit more about some of the things we got up to next time….