Being Relevant

Why is it so hard to be relevant? We always have thoughts racing through our minds, but we document very few of them! Such is the case with the last week at Makassar, Indonesia. I have tried new fruits, food and cultures. Places that have made me wonder why the kind of life i lead is valid. How do i validate myself against such contrasting cultures? How are people at peace with so little?

Questions arise, and people tell me that is a good sign. We must always question, find answers and understand ourselves better. At Tana Toranja, i found out that people have different goals in life - material, but not quite. Lives revolve around death, achievements culminate in the last rites. An obligation? A custom? It is an eye-opener nonetheless.

People are relaxed, but lively. There is no rat race, but only a will to lead a fulfilling life. One of our clients from the education office likes to off-road on weekends. A great hobby, yes, but it is not to relieve stress or pressure. It is just out of interest, now that is new to me. We always use hobbies as a distraction and that is the problem!

My weekend visit to Tana Toranja was intense. Standing amidst centuries old graves, i realised how alive i am. Visiting tombs stowed away in a cave somewhere realised my insignificance as a human. Indonesia, you're so much like my country, yet so different!

Also, i'm exercising everyday with the team in the hotel lobby (really!). We do an "OM" everyday and run up and down the stairs. Bad whiskey, good beer. That is indonesia for now.

If only i wrote everyday, sigh! Till then, adios muchachos!

P.S: Oh yeah, i met the mayor, he likey likey our program. Took pics in suits, but that's that.