Birthday in Palembang

Yes, the rumors are true: I have indeed reached a quarter century. Here’s a list of things you need for a birthday in Palembang:

1. Banners in the teacher’s room, courtesy of mom and dad’s care package

 

 

2. Oreo cake from Cecilia (the boss lady)

 

 

3. A surprise cake and subsequent cake-attack from your class.

 

  

My face and hair were covered with cake after a dozen students savages attacked me - both my face and hair were self-conscious and felt fat for days after absorbing all those calories.

 4. On Saturday: swimming at a 5 star hotel

 

 5. Unlimited food and beer buffet at said hotel with party-hats and live music (including an acoustic version of GNR’s Sweet Child, performed by our own Nicholas and hotel band).

 

 

 

6. On Sunday: a day with Anggi that included a boat trip on the Musi aka Chocolate River, a visit to Kamaro Island and its Buddhist tower/place of worship, a cheap-ass pedicure and dinner.

[During our trip to Kamaro Island, I made so many amazing and fascinating pictures, I will have to dedicate a separate post to it. Please be patient!]

It was a great birthday but, truthfully, it felt strange to celebrate it without family and friends from back home. However, thanks to modern means of communication, I didn’t feel too far away from you all. Besides, you can’t expect to live in Indonesia for a whole fucking year and not give up anything for it! 

So, to everyone here and to those in other places: thank you so much!