THE 5 THINGS I'LL MISS MOST ABOUT MY VILLAGE IN MADURA...

I returned to Planggiran, Madura which is the village that I have spent the most time in in Indonesia visiting at least four times for a total of more than 2 months. I became very close with my family and my Umi (Arabic for mother), who is in her seventies. I took this opportunity as my last visit before leaving this part of Indonesia for good, to reflect on all that the village has taught me and here are the 5 things that I will miss most about Planggiran, Madura:

THING #5 THE WATER

I've always been a big fan of water. That might sound like a completely moronic statement because we all need water to survive (every species on earth maybe?), but I think a lot of people take the water they drink for granted. All water is not created equal and the water in New York, New Zealand, New Mexico, Borneo and Madura all taste completely different. The water in this village is special to me for many reasons, mainly because it is drank straight out of the community well in the village's center. Naturally filtered rain water that showers chemical-less crops (no pesticides here) it has an earthy mineral taste and comes out of the ground cold and clear. On a hot day cycling in the equatorial sun I literally have 'wet dreams' of pulling up to this well and lustfully indulging in a drawn bucket of this chilled liquid...BLISS!

THING #4 THE LIFESTYLE

The average income in the village is well under a dollar a day and almost all of the people work in the fields farming things like various beans, corn, and rice in the wet season. But don't be fooled by the lack of money (and desire for an abundance of it), air conditioners, washing machines, televisions, commercial businesses, iphones, etc because these things are not desired here and DEFINITELY would not improve the quality of life. Life is lived as it has been for countless generations; that is people work the land for about 4 hours a day, and spend the rest of the time keeping house, tending to cattle, and being with family. This lifestyle has little draw backs as far as I can see and gives way to a vibrant social life and a sense of community and bond that seems lost on many countries (and most cities). If it aint broke then don't fix it.

THING #3 THE TRANQUILITY

This village is much more to me than just a place that I like to come and visit. To me it helps me clear and calm my mind and it's no accident that I often seek solitude here when I have something important on my mind, or a decision to make. Things like clocks and calenders don't seem to exist here and when not sleeping, eating, or walking around talking with people, I can be found on my back with my eye closed listening to the breeze create slow creaks from the huge bamboo trees and the birds and insects doing what they do. Smells of burning wood followed by the aromatic foods that the fires are cooking fill the air around dawn, dusk and midday and quiet solitude is plentiful. Focusing on any one or combination of sensory numbing surroundings never fails to put my mind in very calm and relaxed state where things like anger, confusion, sadness, impatience, and frustration seem as far away as the city I pedaled out of a year and half ago.

THING #2 THE BEAUTY

The beauty of the village is astonishing, there is no litter or overcrowding and, during the rainy season, everything is lush green and vibrant; Large banana trees, sprawling rice fields, beautiful skyscapes... Picturesque is the only word that describes it and the people must think I'm crazy for constantly taking photos of things that to them, are very normal.

THING #1 THE PEOPLE!

The village is full of the some of the nicest most humble people that I've come across. They are very rich in culture and tradition and the quality of life here is as high or higher than anywhere else I've been. It is impossible to walk past anyone without a smile and polite greeting which re-establishes my faith in humanity. There is no such thing as crime and any problems or burdens someone might have are shared with the entire community, creating an overwhelming sense of belonging. Laughing and playing children are everywhere and mothers can be seen openly nursing their young. The entire population is very strict Muslim and sins against the Koran are unbelievably rare. I was corrected for describing the people as 'tolerant' of other religions and cultures because to be 'tolerant' implies that you 'put up' with the beliefs of others when the correct word to describe the people here is 'acceptance'. Even though I am not of the same faith as them (or any other faith!) they nevertheless have treated me as equal in every sense of the word from the first time I came to the village. After all, if there is one thing that I've learned it is that being judgmental of others and thinking you know everything (the opposite of 'acceptance') is the root of all stupidity.