In Indonesia, your left hand is considered dirty. Why? Because a typical indonesian home, and public toilets, aren't western style. They're the squat toilets. You literally squat on the ground to go to the bathroom, and there's no comfort of a seat. I must say i've had to become used to it and it's really not that bad after a while. Another typical Indonesian thing is not using toilet paper. So use what? Your left hand. Yep, you use your left hand. Need I say more? As a result of this, it is considered impolite to offer, or receive any item, shake anyone's hand, or do anything that is 'clean' or 'good' with your left hand.
Bracelets. You can find bracelets everywhere being sold in Jogja, often times for as little as 10 cents a piece. Right now I am wearing on my left hand 6 bracelets i've acquired in my time here. The first is the one i've most recently received. It was from a boy on Malioboro Street that asked to take his picture with me and Darlene (being bule).In in return he gave us a little bag of jogja bracelets and souvenirs, it was so sweet. We often are asked to be in pictures with countless random pedestrians, families, school groups, and its always just like hi can we get a picture with you, bye... so I feel that this particular bracelet is very special. The second is a bracelet that has actually been modified from its original style. After our fellow exchange student, Morgan Lide, passed away in December, her friends and AFS Bandung (her chapter) made friendship bracelets for everyone, and some to be sold to benefit the funeral. The one I chose was brown and had a little button with an 'M' on it for Morgan. Before, I wore it around my ankle because it was a little bit too big to fit around my wrist. After many showers, and just wear and tear, the brown string surrounding the bracelet started to wear away. I took it off my ankle, cleaned it up, and now it is on my wrist... good as new. The third is actually not from Indonesia. I got this purple marble-stoned bracelet from Sara, who is hosted in Surabaya. She took a trip to Thailand with her host family and brought back these beautiful bracelets for all of us exchange students. I love it! The third is more of a piece of string, but the meaning behind it reigns strong. I participated in a 'Youth Interfaith Camp' funded by the American Councils, where kids from all over Indonesia came to learn from one another, for everyone's backgrounds were different,from religion to family life, and everything in between. This camp showed me another side of Indonesia, a side that is truly incredible and is eager to share all of Indonesia's amazing cultures. At the end of the camp all the participants made a circle and threw a ball of yarn around, making a type of spider web. Connecting us all as one. We then cut the string and tied a piece around our wrists to remember. The next bracelet I have is from Jogja, however it was bought by Hamza, another student hosted in Bandung. He bought these bracelets, one for each of all of us around New Years. The last I am wearing is actually one that I bought for myself and everyone. I bought it at the Prambanan temple, and I bought 7 others.. one for all the students, except each was a little different. Three were the same for all of us in Jogja, Two were matching for those in Bandung, Hamza and Morgan, two different matching for those in Surabaya, Avery and Sara, and one unique one for good old David Dennis.. the lone ranger in Jakarta.
I've also recently been trying to grow my nails out long, and it's actually been working..to my suprise. Usually in America if i try to grow my nails they always want to fall apart, i've never had strong nails. I don't know if its something in the air here or the weather but my nails are super strong and actually getting quite long. Many of my Indonesian friends have 'kuku panjang' or .. long nails haha. Actuallly even many guys here grow out their thumb nail very long. It ultimately means that you don't have to work hard labor, so you can keep your nails long with out them ripping or falling apart. Maybe even a sign of power or wealth.
I love wearing these bracelets, and I love the meaning behind each one. Although I could so easily and cheaply go buy these exact same ones on the street by my self, it's nice to get them from friends and have that special bond and memories.. and I can't wait to get more from future experiences!
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