On Living in Bali

If you wonder how does it feel to live in Bali? I love it! I really do. After living in a country capital of Australia, Canberra, for the pass three years, I am so happy that I settle in Bali. I did not think it would be this good as I thought that I would experience a lot of reverse culture shock. Conversely,  I am enjoying it a lot! I love the blend of Western and Easter values in Bali.

Here is a few best things about living in Bali:

1.     Food, food, food… and food!

You can find any sort of food here. Traditional warung, street food, fancy Indonesian restarutant to 5 star Western style of dining.

2.     Party places

Starting from low budget backpacker styles to a fancy rooftop garden with hi level of security not to mention a lot of options of pool bars next to the beach

3.     Nature

Beach, mountain, lake, everything you want! You are literally very close to it.

4.     People

People are super friendly, honest, nice and content. People practise Hinduism in Bali as you might know already. Its just balance philosophy between nature, people and the universe.

5.     Art

Beautiful artsy streets, crafty gates, sculptures, nicely decorated restaurants and café, full of colours and creative design.

6.     Social

A lot of tourist who travel alone or Indonesian who move to Bali for work. Its just a melting point and its easy to make friends with

 In short, I am enjoying my life in Bali a lot. I think its suitable for my life style. The plus side is I also enjoy my work and people at my work a lot.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017 FROM SUMATRA, INDONESIA!

IT'S A WRAP! 2017 will be the number that we all need to write often in official documents for the next 365 days of so. This new year, I decided to celebrate it in my hometown in Sumatra with my family. Instead of staying at home, I went for the celebration in a rooftop restaurant with my sister and her fiance. The Sirroco restaurant & Bistro is located at the top of Hermes Medan Hotel. Since it is located in the city center, it has a spectacular view of Medan city with fireworks from all corners of the city during NYE. My sister and I even went to the stage to dance with the performance while my sister's fiance sang a few songs just before the countdown to entertain the quite boring audience 😜. 

Sirroco restaurant view on NYE 2017

Me, my sister and her fiance.

Sirocco Restaurant
Address : Hermes Palace Hotel 14th Floor Medan
Phone : 08192151666


After the celebration, we went to a cafe that has a very artistic decoration. The Kito Art Cafe has a very lovely decoration, good price and quite tasty foods. I was impressed! I ordered a Thai Tea and a Chilly Fried Noodle, a very typical Asian combination. The DJ was still playing the mix until 2.30 am in the morning although there was not so many crowd. Overall we had a good time and a great conversation!

These are photos taken in the Kito Cafe, look how beautiful the decoration!

Kito Art Cafe
Address : Jalan Wahid Hasyim No 31 Medan Babura
Phone : 061-80512135
Open : 11.00 am - 03.00 am (everyday)

On other note, I just revived my facebook page on traveling. I decided I will just publish everything about travel in that page instead of my personal facebook page. You will find photos, my journal, tips, inspiration, articles and some videos too. Like the page and stay in touch with me! Here is the link www.facebook.com/popshie

Stories of Popshie Facebook page

Last but not least, check this video I dedicate for my blog readers and my fellow travelers!

Lots of love,

Olivia

Out in Canberra September 2016

It has been 6 days since I returned back to Canberra from my trip to London-Istanbul-Singapore. I just realised I like bringing my camera every where these days. Probably because I get used to carry it all over when I was traveling, still I have the habit. Its a good thing to collect all the memories through photographs.

Terrace Cafe on Friday Night (with DJ) (Location:18 King George Terrace, backyard of old parliament house)

Kanpai, drinking Makgeolli, my fav Korean Drink from Rice Wine (Location: Chez Kimci, Bunda St, ACT)

Floriade Festival (www.floriadeaustralia.com/), happens only during Spring.

I drink chocolate as often as common people drink coffee (Location: Koko Black, New Acton Pavilion Unit 2, 15 Edinburgh Avenue, New Acton)

Practise salsa dance again in a Cuban Bar (at least watching it!) (Location: Highball Express Level 1, 82 Alinga Street Canberra City)

I love the decoration, I feel like back to Latin America (Location: Highball Express Level 1, 82 Alinga Street Canberra City)

Love,


Olivia

July Update

In short, things that happened the past two months:

1. I graduated from Vice Chancellor Leadership Program on 2nd June 2016

With Vice Chancellor Brian Smith

2. I went to US to attend Global Entrepreneurship Summit at Stanford University, California (where Obama and Mark Zuckerberg gave a speech) (22-24 June 2016)

President Obama and Mark Zuckerberg at the same panel

Indonesian team

3. I attended Asia Pacific Week 2016 at ANU (26-30 June 2016)

Getting serious on 'War Game'

With Pak Nadjib Riphat Kesoema (Indonesian Ambassador to Australia)

With Indonesian team at University House lawn

4. Someone asked me to be his girlfriend (and I said yes)

First bunch of roses he gave

Love,

Olivia

7 Weeks of Living in Medellin, Colombia

It was totally a conscious decision when I decided to travel to Colombia. I was in my cramped student accommodation room, getting bored of doing assignments when I made my mind that I should travel to South America, just because it was the only continent I have not been to apart from Africa. So then I googled the best cities in South America and among the popular ones was Medellin. And the more I read blogs about Medellin, the more I am curios about the city.

"Medellin, the second largest city of Colombia, used to be the murder capital of the world but now turns into the model city by UN Habitat. In just two decades, The city has successfully transformed a massive unplanned urban growth and informal settlements that were completely neglected by the state into a medical and business centre city with new public buildings and squares, and efficient metro and cable car system"

So then I decided to go to Medellin and here I am in this city and has been more than 7 weeks now. So what do I do here, this pretty much sum my activities:

1. Working

I did a volunteer work through AIESEC, which is a student based organisation that provides young people with leadership development and cross-cultural global internship across the globe. Under AIESEC Global Community Development Programme (GCDP), I participated Lets Do It Project with a bunch of youngsters from across Latin America, Mexican, Peruvian, Brazilian and Panama. What we did was to raise awareness of various environmental issues in the city by street campaign social media campaign, plant trees, teach children and give recommendation to the government. Under this project, we visited zoos, visited parks, and talked to the government officials how they improve the city.

Street campaign for Ecocity Medellin with my team

Check our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Eco-City-Medellin-1658175717796552/ 

2. Party

Yes that is correct, I party more than ever here in Medellin. I mean I am in Latin America, party is one of the important parts of their culture. So it is of no surprise that I get dragged to party almost every single night. The good thing is I love party too, so its a perfect match. The main party area here is called Publado, a really touristy place but it has tons of places for dancing, drinking or even just chill. It is a great nightlife here in Medellin that I never really feel bored as there is always something new. It is not always that I party outside, many people in my project do house party and they always welcome dozens of people including other AIESEC projects in Medellin.

Muse Le Aqua area, but heading to a party soon!!

3. Co-Working Space

I also have things I need to do back in Australia and Indonesia so after the project finish, I ended up be in the co-working space to do my assignments and paper and presentation and so on. Named Cafe Ondas,  the co-working space  is located only 5 minutes walking from the place where I live now (La America, Carrera 80). It is owned by an young Australian man. I met a bunch of global nomads in the place who open my perspective on non mainstream 9-5 work. Also, the place is so cozy. It feels so homy. The owner knows how to put random things together and turn it into a creative space for work.

Cafe Ondas in Laureless, where I rent the space weekly.

3rd floor of the Cafe Ondas co-working space, lovely environment

4. Socialising

Yes that is correct, I am a social butterfly. I like to interact with people, making conversation about random things. I am not a text person but if you meet me in person, you will realise immediately how bubbly I am. So here in Colombia, a Colombian friend that I met in Indonesia introduced me to her friends and so on and another Colombian friend that I met in Australia also did the same and so on and so on, not to mention those that I met through internet. So almost every day I met a new people. It is fun because I am bubbly and curious on other people's opinion at the same time.

One of my fav spot in the city, rooftop of Charlie Hotel

5. Travel

There are literally so many places in Medellin that worth visiting. Many of the museums are free to enter, the parks are amazingly beautiful, food are yummy and cheap and it is convenient and very affordable to travel around by taxi.  Also, there are so many tourist attraction and beautiful places that could be visited across the country. So there is no reason not to travel around while in Medellin or Colombia. Outside Medellin, I myself went to Santa Fe, Guatape, Bogota and Santa Marta only. But it is enough to agree that the country is so beautiful and amusing with its beautiful landscape and friendly people.

 

Guatape, Antioqia 

Parque Tayrona, Santa Marta

Jardin Park, Communa 13, Medellin.

It is totally worth the stay being here in Medellin, beautiful city, beautiful people, unique culture and tasty foods. Too bad I will need to wave good bye in a week or so. 

I will definitely miss this lovely city.

Ps. Just in case you are curious, no I did not advance my Spanish, but yeah I think a bit process with my dancing skill ;)


Love,

Olivia

How to Survive in A Country Where You Don't Speak the Language (and They Don’t Speak Your Language Either)

I was on a field trip a week ago to places faaar away from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. So I went to Bhairahawa (Siddharthanagar District) and Buwtol (Rupandehi District) to check the implementation of community forest. I had to take a bus for 8 hours journey by myself, slept in a (kinda) creepy hotel, travel to the border of Nepal and India and went back to Kathmandu using an overnight 12 hours long bus safe and sound all by myself. Even my colleagues who are Nepali impress that I could do a one week trip to places I am not familiar with (include visiting Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha) by myself when I don't even speak the language and don’t know anyone there. So here are the tips on how I survive:

1. Smile
Smile is a universal language. When you smile, people will notice that you open a chance for friendship through your friendly gesture.

2. Learn Basic Language

You don’t speak their language but it does not mean you should ignore the language. Learn how to speak basic words such as sleep, eat, directions. It will ease your life a lot, trust me!

3. Trust your Intuition

Need more explanation? I mean, your intuition will always be right (at least from my experience)

4. Eyes

I always believe that eyes are the windows of heart. You can always tell if a person has bad or good intention through their heart.

5. Google Maps

Well, I am not a tech savvy nor that I depend on tech a lot. Yet when I am totally lost in the middle of nowhere, I really need this app to make sure that I am still on earth.

Few steps forward, I would have been in India already

Cheers,



Olivia

The Old Man Wise Words

Some wisdom thoughts from The Old Man (which the Universe planed for me to meet):

1. Most great leaders read relentlessly throughout of their life before they came out with great thoughts.

2. Religion exists to help you throughout your difficult times not only throughout your glorious time. Even atheist has a religion. Their religion is wisdom from words that they trust.

3. It is important to balance between positive and negative thought (but personally I tend to choose to trust my positive thoughts as I am a strong believer of ‘the law of attraction’)

4. Communist, Maoist and Lenin teach about live in simplicity and avoid greedy attitude.

5. Traveling open your perspective that the world is not as small as what you think. In fact, it is incredibly vast!

6. There are many things you need to learn in your life. Never stop learning (a.k.a stay hungry, stay foolish)

7. The glorious time made by your grandfather or great grandfather is just a history of them. You should make your own history instead of hiding behind their shadows.



Ps. I met this old man during a Nepali festival by coincident. He is a father of my new friend’s friend. He happened to study in USSR (now Russia) and befriended with Indonesian students while living for 6 year there. My encountered with him in his house resembled him a lot of the memories 44 years ago. He told me stories of how his Indonesian folks (just like me) really love to eat small super hot chilly (called cabe rabit in Indonesian). He narrated stories very vividly of how one of his Indonesia friends had to be hospitalized for a year after eating that spicy chilly along with vodka as if it happened just yesterday.

The afternoon, the sunny day, the foods, the hot milk tea, the companion, the warmth feeling, as if I was in another world. If only I could freeze the time. But good thing has to end, just like bad thing. Well, that's life. 

Love,

Olivia

2015 is (Not Just) A New Year Resolution

It was 2007, I was still a sophomore student of my bachelor study back in Indonesia. While attempting to collect data for my paper on Central Asia regional issues, I stumbled upon a website of a young Indonesian man who travels from China to Afghanistan, across Central Asia countries. Although I was just looking for articles of oil issues in the region, I could not resist not to stare at his exotic snapshots of Central Asian countries which names you barely hear: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan as well as the beautiful pictures of vast land of Western part of China (such as Uighur Xinjiang, Tibet) which picturesque views are always drowned by media explosion of its separation from mainland China. All the pictures were displayed very idyllically, the most rare and striking pictures I have ever seen my entire life. After tinkering his website for some time, I came to know that he is not only good at photography, but also writing and languages (other than his native Indonesia tongue, he could speak more than 5 languages such as Chinese, Japan, Persian, and other languages of Central Asia). Since then I start following his blog, his stories and reading his books. Unconsciously, he just became my inspiration. I never said to anyone nor that I realized that he inspires me until just recently.

Five years later, in February 2013 during the launching of his recent book to be exact, I finally met this man, Agustinus Wibowo, the man who subconsciously has been my inspiration for traveling (if not for life). It was nothing really special because for me his writing is more special than his short-talk explanation of his journey. He might never realize this fact but his writings (aside from Paulo Coelho’s writing which has touched thousands of souls) have changed my life. I would never have a courage to go to the land of nowhere by myself before reading his stories. In many nights after strolling upon his blog, I would be dreaming on how incredibly beautiful those lands are, how exotic their culture are, how their face resembles me with people of my own yet they are so different in tradition, culture, language and other social aspects of a human being. He made me want to travel, to learn languages, to be good at writing and telling stories of fairy tale lands. He does not only help me inventing my dream to travel around the world but also fuelling my courage to follow through. And I came into conclusion that ‘You never know how powerful your writing until it changes people’s life. So never estimate the power of writing.’


Back to my present life, yesterday (precisely 1st day of 2015) while walking towards the temples with my roommate, an adorable Nepali girl, she suddenly came with a question ‘Olivia, what is the place that you miss a lot?’. I did not answer the question immediately because I did not have a specific answer. ‘Um… to be honest, I don’t really miss any place, I move to different places frequent, there is always something new and I always need to move on’. Then she said ‘Ah your life is so interesting. I think you should write your biography’. I nodded. It is something I always want to do and someone just hit me straight to remind me one of my purpose of life, to inspire others that traveling is about learning and that there are so many beautiful things that you can learn by stepping yourself outside your comfort zone when traveling.


While waiting for her doing her ritual in the temple, I was mesmerized by how different and authentic the blend of culture and religious ritual in Nepal. I saw statues of Gods (along with statues of animals who they believe are best friends of the Gods), the candles, the flowers for offerings, the campanes, the small doors, the artistic windows made from woods with high details of sculptures. In short everything that I could only read and imagine from Agustinus’s writings. Then I came to realize, I have just become like him! I travel around the world to the most exotic yet unpopular places by myself to explore the differences of the society. Early last year I was backpacking solo from Vienna (Austria), Budapest (Hungary), Bucharest (Romania), and ended up in Sofia (Bulgaria) by land (bus and train). Places whose names I firstly heard during my 1st year of my bachelor degree (because I did International Relations for my bachelor degree) .

My roomie and I 

See, she is so adorable!

Praying to God.

Candles for Godness. 

Agustinus was only 25 when he decided to start his journey, ignoring his prestigious degree from Tsinghua (one of the best universities in China) and rejected a scholarship offer to continue his further study. I might have a different path from him that I chose by my own decision. I just turned 26, graduated from one of the best universities in Indonesia, currently conducting my further study from a scholarship that I always wanted since my first acquainted to Australia, 6 years ago. I might not spend years of my life traveling and living in those exotic countries, learning the social-cultural-political issues of the society that I could hardly heard from mainstream media. Yet I think him and me still have one thing in common, the excitement of traveling to the odd part of the world. I travel to the land of nowhere whenever I have time (and money) not just for the sake of seeing beautiful tourist objects, but also to understand that the world is full of things undiscovered and that by discovering it you will realize how vast the world is and how amazing life is.


At night that same day (1st Jan 2015), I was having a dinner with two of my university friends in Australia who happen to be in Kathmandu for different purposes. One of my friends started a conversation by asking me ‘So what is your NY resolution?’. I did not answer immediately as I was trying to figure out the right quick answer. However, instead of saying that I want to write a book of my traveling journey I ended up answering her ‘I want to travel to South America’.

Ah, perhaps the universe just directed me to find my two main resolutions for 2015.

Having dinner with two of uni friends.

Happy New Year from Kathmandu (Nepal) everyone!




Love,



Olivia

Simple Things I Learn in 2014

2015 is ahead, so its time to do a bit reflection. Its been full of ups and downs the whole year of 2014, but I want to wrap up this year with reflection of what I learn this year. Because life is always about learning anyway ;)

1. To work hard

To be frank, I start the year of 2014 with a quite unpleasant situation. I was diagnosed with a disease, which made me have to postpone my study in Australia. At that time, I already quit my job and had no back up plan. Fortunately, people who interviewed me for a job 2 years back called me again to work in the institution (an international development consultant), as they were impressed by me. Long short story I left my hometown in Sumatra on 1^st January and started another full time job by 2^nd January.  Things happen and I took another part time jobs as a researcher with two most reputable universities in Indonesia, my ammeter, University of Indonesia and Gadjah Mada University. At the same time, the grant for my project (Youth Ecopreneurship Camp) was approved by East West Center, University of Hawaii so that in the midst of full time job, part time jobs, I need to act as the leader for the project I propose. Things were so hectic that I was afraid my health condition could get worse (Thank God it was not).

Launching of my project, Yep Camp with my full team (April 2014)

2. To not to work too hard

I was so occupied early this year that I had no fun in my life. One day during my sleepless night, I had a thought in my mind ‘Is this what I really want? I got career and money ahead, but I don’t think I am happy. I am still 25, I should have more fun!’. In mid of May after implementing my project, submitting reports for my jobs, and finished contract of my full time job, I throw everything up and I decided to travel to Europe and paid my travel expense from the money I collected since the beginning of 2014. Most of the trips were free because I was in Europe to attend two student International Week events in Vienna and Sofia, representing my previous organization (Indonesian Student Association for International Studies). It was one of the best decisions I made. Yeah I did crazy things, a lot (which I should not put here but you can just guess)! I had a lot of fun. Fun, which I could only explore in m 20ish. I met a lot of interesting people who inspire me a lot and broaden my perspective.

3. Be more fashionable

During my traveling trip to Europe, I saw people are so fashionable. My hosts were always able to mix and match dresses nicely. They could also do magnificent things to their already looking good face with make up. Make up is like a magic artful tool. I realize that when you are able to dress up and make up nicely and properly in the right moment people will notice you and give you more attention. So then I start developing interest on fashion and make-up, exploring my feminism side. Because by the end of the day I am just a normal woman who likes to have my opposite gender appreciate my appearance.

4. Learn how to cook

Back in Indonesia, I used to just buy food outside as it cheap and quick. Plus I don’t have time to cook, as I was extremely busy. However, during my trip to Europe I realize that most of fellow youngsters of my age could cook WELL! Yes, cook very good dishes! Whenever I pay a visit to my friends’ (and crushes) house, they are always able to serve me with good foods. In exchange, I could only cook plain tasted ‘nasi goreng’ to them which is the basic cooking knowledge for every Indonesian. Then, when I moved to Canberra to continue my graduate study in the middle this year, I realize that I don’t equip myself with this basic survival skill and I would not be able to afford myself eating outside as eating in any restaurant in Australia is freaking expensive. So then I start learn how to cook from my housemates, my friends and from Youtube. Moreover, when I went to Vietnam for a volunteer program in November 2014, my indulgence toward cooking was developed well because my fellow volunteers appreciate my dishes. So far I could only cook seafood well because I kinda pescetariasm, but I keen to learn cooking other type of dishes.

Cooking with my Cambodian fellow volunteer in Vietnam (Nov 2014)

5. Practise meditation

I have a sleeping problem and I overthink sometimes. Writing and yoga are my two main remedies. However, during my trip in Nepal I figured out that meditation could also be an effective way to have a balance physical and mental health. As I am now based in Kathmandu, I am trying to seize the opportunity to learn more about meditation. It also seems like the universe conspired to help me out finding inner happiness.

Summary:

Cities I lived 2014:

• Depok/Jakarta (Indonesia)
• Canberra (Australia)
• Hue (Vietnam)
• Kathmandu (Nepal)

Cities I visited 2014:

• Jogjakarta (Indonesia)
• Sabang, Aceh (Indonesia)
• Vienna (Austria)
• Budapest (Hungaria)
• Bucharest (Romania)
• Sofia (Bulgaria)
• Sydney (Australia)

Olivia