I will start with a brief summary of the lengthy process that went into preparing for this incredible adventure; then you will get to hear from my friends about their impressions of Balinese sights, food, and culture. They booked their flights back in March, more than five months before their expected arrival date to Indonesia. Within a month after that, we had hashed out an itinerary and booked Air BnBs on Bali, Gili Trawangan, and Lombok. I was more than pleased; the entire trip was locked and loaded with several months to spare! Things took an unexpected turn, however, at the beginning of August. With just a couple weeks to go before our trip, a large earthquake hit the islands of Lombok and Gili Trawangan, killing hundreds, destroying thousands of homes, and damaging infrastructure. Peace Corps Indonesia declared the area off limits, which meant that I was no longer allowed to visit two of the three places on our itinerary. After sharing this news with my friends, they immediately switched gears to start re-planning the entirety of our trip on Bali. We were all bummed about the devastating earthquake. While my friends were still free to visit those islands during their time in Indonesia, they decided to stick to Bali so that I could be with them the entire time. What great friends! Fortunately, Air BnB provided complete refunds for the two properties we booked on Gili Trawangan and Lombok. After researching different areas of Bali, and discussing the pros and cons of each, we decided to visit Amed and Uluwatu after our time in Ubud. You will read later on in my friends stories that this last-minute change ended up working to our advantage. We couldn’t have been happier with the final itinerary! There was one other important aspect of the trip. It was, perhaps, even more important than planning the itinerary or booking the plane tickets: the matching batik clothes. Batik fabric is a cultural staple of Indonesia. Most Indonesians consider a particular batik pattern to be special to their respective city, province, or region. It is common to find Indonesian families dressed in matching batik during holidays like Idul Fitri, or for special events such as weddings and graduations. A fellow Volunteer had some friends visit last year, and he had matching shirts tailored for them to wear while they were galavanting around Bali on their vacation. He took an Indonesian custom and created an opportunity for his friends to get involved. I decided to try the same thing. It was a little more difficult to make matching clothes for my group because it consisted of four women and two guys. My friend met with a tailor in his village to get his own measurements and used those same numbers for his guy friends; I couldn’t do that for four women. This required some additional steps towards the ultimate goal. I asked each of my friends to send pictures of a garment they would like to have custom made. Once I received all the pictures, I met with a tailor to see what specific measurements she needed for each garment, and how many meters of fabric would be needed to make the shirt, dress, or skirt. Once I had that information from the tailor, I sent instructions to each friend about what specific measurements to get at their tailor back in the States. One dress required measurements for how long the straps should be, while the tailor wanted to know how wide the neck needed to be for a shirt. My friends agreeably visited their respective tailors and asked for the necessary measurements (in centimeters, not inches). I returned to my tailor in Indonesia when I had collected the measurements from each person. I took a trip with my tailor to the nearby fabric market to find the winning batik. She helped me find the right fabric by quickly identifying what I liked and did not like about certain designs. She also pointed out the lighter fabrics, which would be better for the heat and humidity on Bali. It was difficult to find the perfect fabric, especially when I needed thirteen total meters. I found a great fabric twice, but was disappointed to learn that there was enough of it for six garments. I found the winning fabric after several hours at the market. Before she started her work, we sat down and organized printed pictures into groups so that she knew what measurements went with what garment designs. I also printed off several group photos of me and my friends from earlier gatherings so that she could see each person’s height relative to the others. My tailor took about two months to complete the order. I kept the fabric a secret until I handed my friends their tailored garments during our first night together on Bali. We wore the clothes for our last night together on Bali. We went to dinner on a restaurant that is perched on a seaside cliff, and ended the night at a dance party on the beach. We spent eleven nights on Bali: five in Ubud, three in Amed, and three on the Bukit Peninsula. Each place provided special memories: temples, volcanoes, beaches, and markets. My friends were more than accommodating when I asked them to share their favorite parts of the trip. Enjoy the contributions they make of details about their favorite activities and memories! Dana Dorothy Webb Occupation: Client Specialist Residence: Minneapolis, MN Hobbies: Trying samples Costco on Sundays, Petting Dogs, Playing cards Interesting Fact: Dana has locked her keys in the car more times than any twenty people I know, combined! How I Met Addison: The first time I met Addison was actually sort of intrusive. I was biking down the street and a blonde, large headed boy started yelling at me out of a passing minivan about my short-lived red haired ‘boyfriend’. We were about 12 years old, so that term can be used loosely. I learned it was Addison at a later time when I met him playing four square (very competitively) at Weigent Park. We didn’t start becoming friends until science class our freshman year of high school, where we were fatefully sat next to each other due to the alphabetical proximity of our last name. My initial reaction to the seating chart was dread. I couldn’t believe I’d have to sit by that jerk for a full year. Fortunately, Addison proved my initial impression was incorrect fairly quickly. Looking back, I wonder how different my life could have gone if I wasn't lucky enough to sit next to who would soon become one of my best friends. Thank you, Mr. Callen! The absolute best memory of us was making copies of Robert's keys, periodically changing the spot he parked in during the day or moving his seat as close to the steering wheel as possible. One time I found bananas on the ground outside of a gas station and put them in his car. He told Addison his mom sometimes leaves him snacks and proceeded to eat them. I’m glad he lived through that. The grand finale of the prank was moving his car to the school bus terminal and filling it up with balloons. My Favorite Activity in Indonesia: My favorite part of the trip was watching Addison in his element. One time we went on a fisherman boat where Addison was able to communicate with both Spaniards and Indonesians in their native language (very impressive). My Favorite Place in Indonesia: This was in Amed, which ended up being my favorite city we stayed in. Everyone seemed to move slower in Amed, which felt like a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of Ubud. It was also the first time I've ever gone snorkeling; there were so many fish and we even saw some sea turtles. I'll never forget my time here. My Favorite Food in Indonesia: Food wise, the bakso was awesome! We also had the most delicious and spicy Tahu Isi. Just thinking of it is making me hungry.... And all of the fruit! Trying fresh jackfruit, snake fruit, and mangosteen was so much fun. Elizabeth Paige Kroker Occupation: Occupational Therapist Residence: Minneapolis, MN Hobbies: Golf, Tennis, Crafts, Building Furniture Interesting Fact: My grandma still keeps a framed picture in her house of Lizzy and me at senior prom (see photo below). How I Met Addison: Rewind about 16 years ago where Addison and I first met in tap dancing class. I remember him as the boy who couldn’t actually wear his tap dance shoes in tap class because he was so disruptive. Needless to say we did not stay too close after classes ended. When tap class was done I would forget who Addison was until the first day of high school. Fast-forward 5 years later on the first day of freshman year. The first class bell had rung and I, desperately running through the halls looking for my classroom, abruptly bump into this boy (Addison) who is also frantically searching for his class. Ironically we were both looking for the same classroom. This encounter would start our life long friendship. Little did I know that the disruptive boy in tap class would become one of my life long friends. Fast-forward 12 years later where we meet again in Bali, Indonesia for a trip of a lifetime. I love where our story of friendship has taken us thus far and I am excited for all the adventures to come! Favorite Food in Indonesia: Over the period of 2 weeks I got to experience new culture, meet new people and eat lots of delicious food. A few of my favorite dishes that I got to try were Meh Goreng, Nasi Goreng and Ote Ote (fried noodles, fried rice and friend tofu/vegetables) with a few squirts of sambal (hot sauce) and kecap (Indonesia sweet soy sauce). Favorite Activity in Indonesia: A side from the delicious food I got to experience some amazing sites, one of my favorites being the rice terraces. We also did lots of exploring, walking and activities including climbing a mountain, walking through temples and riding bikes down a mountain. However, the activity I liked to do the most in Indonesia was simply drinking fresh squeezed fruit juices (pineapple, watermelon, mango, dragon fruit), enjoying whatever scenery was in front and reflecting on the day/the previous activity/enjoying each other’s company. Favorite Place in Indonesia: Out of the three places we visited, my favorite place was Ubud where I got to experience a little bit of everything; from hiking at sunrise to visiting the rice terraces to enjoying a mountain top view. I feel as though I got to truly experience the beauty that Indonesia has to offer. Whitney Paige Weymiller Occupation: Traveling Nurse Residence: Bismarck, ND (Based out of La Crosse, WI) Hobbies: Traveling, Running, "but mostly traveling" Interesting Fact: She prefers baby voices when talking to dogs. I think we just became friends at Logan since we had classes together. I remember becoming especially close in Ms. K’s classes where we were always causing trouble. After high school we would visit each other in Madison/Minneapolis and our friendship continued to grow! Then I visited him in DC, we visited each other in Munich, Germany, and then INDONESIA!! Favorite Food in Indonesia: My favorite food from Indonesia was gado gado: veggies, fried tofu and tempeh, and covered in peanut sauce.. YUMMM! Favorite Activity in Indonesia: One of my favorite activities was scuba diving in the Bali Sea at the USS Liberty Shipwreck site. We were able to swim through the cargo hold of the ship and see how massive it was. We were also able to swim among the beautiful sea life that inhabits the area surrounding the wreck. Such a cool experience! Favorite Place in Indonesia: My favorite location was Ubud. The city of Ubud was bustling with locals of all ages. Everyone was very friendly and they were happy to welcome us into their community. Ubud and the surrounding areas were full of rice terraces, temples, and incredible rainforest landscapes. The rice terraces cover an extensive area and were so unique and beautiful! Molly "Pookie" Hutcheson Morrissey Occupation: Press Secretary Residence: Washington, D.C. Hobbies: Painting, Discovering New Music, Concerts Interesting Fact: Molly and I were voted “Most Changed” for the high school senior yearbook. We all know that she is still that 4H goat girl at heart. How I Met Addison: The funny thing about describing how I first met Addison Winger is that Addison does not actually remember meeting me. Let's rewind back to when we were both members of the La Crosse YMCA's swim team, the Wave. I first encountered Addison and that mop of blond hair (sorry Bieber, Addison rocked your hairstyle before it became your signature 'do) at a swim meet. We were introduced fleetingly by our parents who knew one another, but we didn't talk much. Now, fast forward to high school. We became close when we were both set on attending UW-Madison. Addison was the first person who knew I got into Madison because he called me on Christmas Eve and asked if I had checked the web portal we'd both obsessively visit, hoping to see a "Congratulations" message smiling back at us. I told him I hadn't looked that day, and then while we were on the phone, I signed in and found out I had been accepted. Of course, Addison had also learned that he'd be a Badger too. Favorite Food in Indonesia and Why: Tahu crispy (fried tofu) and tahu isi (stuffed, fried tofu with spices) were my favorite foods I tried in Bali. On taste alone, tahu crispy is the vegetarian version of the McDonalds chicken nugget. Which reminds me--while living with Addison in DC, I once ate my personal record of 26 chicken nuggets in one sitting. Anyway, the taste was great, but more than that it was the kind of place that really showcased what I loved most about our trip. It was a squat stand, sandwiched between other warungs, and it was a place that we would only have known to visit because of Addison. If it hadn't been for Addison, we wouldn't have been able to go to places like the tahu crispy stand where we could order in Indonesian, try local favorites, and hear Addison relay how it played a part in his current life or held some sort of memory. And now all six of us have tahu crispy memories too. Favorite Activity in Indonesia and Why: 2:45 a.m. We leave for Mount Batur with our driver Wayan, and we make our way to the volcano where we meet our guide, Tutu, who will help guide our footsteps up to the top. Wearing a headlamp, we join the snake of lights underneath the stars headed for the summit. That hike, and the sunrise we waited to greet while holding hot coffee at thee top of Mount Batur, was a perfect beginning to my first full day in Bali. When people say, "picture your happy place," I have a new place I can always go to thanks to that early morning in Bali. Favorite Place in Indonesia and Why: Take me back to Amed. The sea turtles that swam beneath me the first time I ever went snorkeling in my life. The white fish wrapped in banana leaves, covered in curried coconut. The sunrises that began each day, and the sunsets--one seen from a cruise with a cool Bintang in my hand--that brought them to a close. The conversations I had while walking down roads snaking beside the ocean. Robert Patrick Keller Occupation: Financial Analyst Residence: Chicago, IL Hobbies: Instagram, Soliciting people to take photoshoots, Skincare management Interesting Fact: Robert predicted Snapchat's market downfall. How I Met Addison: I know Addison from a wide range of embarrassing school activities including choir and swimming. My Favorite Activity in Indonesia: My favorite activity was snorkeling. I read later that the Indonesian archipelago is one of the most biodiverse places in the world and I’m glad I got to see what could only be seen in an aquarium otherwise. My Favorite Place in Indonesia: My favorite place was our house in the Ubud rice fields because we all got to hang out and learn about a crop that has been a sustaining factor and has a deep history in the culture and economy of the country. My Favorite Food in Indonesia: Sate ayam for SURE. Could not get enough of the peanut sauce. My friends’ visit provided the confidence I needed to return to my village and finish these last nine months strong. Unfortunately, I got sick the following week, which was a blow to my motivation and positivity. I was sad to be away from my friends, and the illness didn’t let me stay busy to keep my mind off of missing them. I stayed in Surabaya for four nights to meet with doctors, who concluded that I was suffering from Zika. My fever, rash, and joint aches eventually subsided, and I made it back to school last week to resume teaching. I am finally feeling back at one hundred percent, and I can tell that my motivation and positivity have regained a lot of ground. Ultimately, I am profoundly grateful for my friends’ willingness to travel across the world to see me. This vacation was certainly a highlight of my service as a Peace Corps Volunteer, and will remain an important memory for the rest of my life. Let me know if you would like to visit next! Shout-Outs:
HSO to the new PCTs (Peace Corps Trainees) who are currently en route to Indonesia to begin training on Sunday! ASO to Zika. It’s not fun. SO to the Brew Crew for clinching a playoff berth for the first time since 2011. ESO goes to the Brew Crew for sweeping the Cardinals in the process. SO to my mom and grandma for buying tickets to visit for Christmas! SO to my friends for bringing a grocery bag full of food from the States. ASO to already finishing the three bags of M&Ms. SO to my friend in Chicago for putting in his two weeks notice to start a new job! Thank you for the batik idea, too.
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AddisonHometown: La Crosse, WI Archives
May 2019
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