National Leaders taking photo with Dr Budi Setiawan
Our first stop was to the House of Representatives in the city of Jakarta, to make a courtesy call on the Deputy Speaker. It was our privilege to be seated on those plush cushioned chairs meant for elected representatives of the various states and cities of Indonesia, listening to the Deputy Speaker of the House deliver his speech.
Us at the House of Representatives… Lucky us!!
The next stop was the ASEAN Secretariat where we were given an interesting lecture on the goals and vision of the ASEAN.
13 Nov – We started that day at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Angklung, a traditional musical instrument of Indonesia was given to each PY as a gift and we played to the tunes of “I have a dream”, “You raise me up” and many more after a quick lesson. This was such a great way to introduce the instrument to us and I could tell that many PYs enjoyed the session.
Just before we were released for our lunch break, Colonel started walking around the front of the hall at an extremely slow pace… gathering the top of his hair with his five fingers in slow motion! That was the sign! Our first test for the “fall in” gesture… (inherited from the SAF)… worked when Colonel gathered us after the first half of the session. I have to say Colonel is really quick with his thinking!
He quickly jumped into action and suggested that as a show of appreciation, the Singapore Contingent should include a short performance of Singapura, using the Angklung during the home-stay matching ceremony later that evening, in addition to the originally planned performance. SPYs were all enthusiastic and agreeable to it and when the decision was made, Charmaine immediately sprang into action and started penning the notes of Singapura.
We gathered after a really quick, boxed lunch… and started our practice. In fifteen minutes, we were almost there with Charmaine conducting us and the melody sounding just right.
Tickled by Colonel’s comical and innocent bluntness on stage, all of us enjoyed ourselves putting the act together =) Well, the performance that evening turned out great and we were delighted that everyone appreciated our gesture as we received cheers and applause.
Our performance using Angklung
15 Nov – My (Venetia) home-stay in Jakarta was an experience for me. Baby from Lao and I was matched to a young, simple and down to earth couple who were host parents for the first time. They lived simply and were loving people who took time off from their work on Thursday evening and Friday to receive us and show us around.
I say that it was quite an experience for me because I had not lived such a life for a while I guess, and it took me some time to get used to it. Amenities were unlike what we have in Singapore. The entire experience made me realized that as I aged and the more independent I become, comfort has become part of my way of life. It also made me realized how I have taken some things for granted. This home-stay had made me appreciate the way things are around me... How, my government had done so much to ensure that the standard of living for us was constantly improving.
One thing which I really enjoyed when I was in Jakarta was the food! Yum! I was lucky to have been able to try Javanese and Sumatran food, thanks to my foster parents. I had not eaten so much rice in my life!
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