Indonesia is a huge country and distances between cities are really long. The villages and towns in the rural areas are so different from the bustling metropolis of Jakarta, where huge skyscrapers and international corporations dominate the skyline. We visited just two of its numerous islands, Bali and Java, so our impressions are solely based on these areas. It was a unique experience since none of us had ever been to Asia before. Almost everything was completely different from what we were used to. Language, religion, customs, food, currency, traffic and yes, also the bathrooms.
The language barrier in Indonesia didn't even compare with the one in Latin America. Only very few people spoke good English while everybody spoke Indonesian on top of their local language, like Balinese or Javanese. Luckily, Panos started learning Indonesian and after a couple of weeks was able to communicate with the locals.
In Bali most people are Hindu demonstrated by the many beautifully decorated temples. In Java most people are Muslim, but follow a form of Javanese Islam, which is different from that in the Arab countries. Many Christians, Hindus and Muslims co-exist peacefully amongst each other and there is no trace of the kind of racism present in Europe.
There was so much we didn't know about the local customs but managed to learn quickly. Taking off your shoes in every house and even some hotels and restaurants is considered common practice and good manners. In Bali locals would bow, when thanking someone, as a sign of respect. Indonesians are very humble and polite people. Regardless of the situation, they are always calm and never raise their voice. They are sharing, respectful and generous.
When it came to cultural adaptation, there was nothing as challenging as dealing with the bathrooms. Squat toilets, often with no flush, are equipped with a water tank and a plastic scoop and almost never toilet paper. Instead, there is a water hose for cleaning up after 'business' is done. Probably the only thing we could not adapt to.
Another challenge was the daily rhythm of life. Waking up at 05:00 is not uncommon, with school starting at 06:30 and people going to work. Shops close in the "evening" at around 16:00 and sunset is around 18:00 all year long. People then have dinner and call it at day, getting ready for an early start all over again. Same as everywhere in the world, the sun is dictating the rhythm of life.
