#sitstudyabroad

[marissaabroadadventures]

Then we went to Candi Prambanan, the largest Hindu temple in Java. It was also extremely beautiful. It had 5 different chambers that were made for 5 different Gods that people pray to. 

[marissaabroadadventures]

There was also an exhibition at the Sacred Monkey Forest! I loved seeing all this art- I thought it was so beautiful! It was so nice to be in a gallery again :)

[marissaabroadadventures]

Here’s some of the delicious fruit we’ve had! The first fruit is mangosteen- it sorta tastes like it would be an alien fruit! It’s very wet- and sort of is slimey- but it is sweet and delicious.

The second fruit is jackfruit- it’s yummy too! Some people say it tastes like bubblegum, which I was hoping it would, but I don’t think it does! Still delicious nonetheless.

[marissaabroadadventures]

Photos from the Balinese cremation. Cremations are an opportunity for everyone to come together and to celebrate a person’s life. Balinese gamelan is played during the ceremony. Cremations are supposed to be a happy time, to celebrate and encourage one’s soul to move on and have an easy transition into the afterlife. If people are sad at a cremation, then it is believed that the person’s soul will be stuck as a ghost and it will take a long time to cross over.

[elephantabroad]

Best Yet: A Simple Game

After starting our morning with Survival Portuguese, my man Rob, a fellow classmate and today’s Person of the Day, took the floor and led us into the hall. There, we played what I think might be my favorite group bonding game so far, a game I’ll call Reach Out and Touch Someone. Our group of eighteen formed a circle. The premise of the game is that 2/3 of the group closes their eyes and become passive participants, while the remaining 1/3 are active participants. This 1/3 listens to the leader’s statements, statements like “Tap someone who makes you smile,” “who makes you laugh,” “whom you look forward to getting to know better,” “whom you’ve shared a moment with,” or “who inspires you.” The six in the center go around and tap anyone who matches that statement on the shoulder-- but those being tapped don’t know who taps them, as their eyes are closed. After a few statements, a different group of six takes the center and new statements are read aloud.

I don’t even really know why, but I loved the game. Quietly waiting for a tap, maybe two or three or four, on the shoulder, was both calming and fun. At the end, even though it had been such a simple activity, we were all smiles.

[elephantabroad]

Best Yet: Wednesday

Wednesday, we slept in-- it was a morning off, after all. Then we split up to visit neighborhoods across the city that have street art on display. I went to São Mateus, where the streets of an entire middle class community and neighboring favela are absolutely chock full of graffiti. We walked and walked uphill and down, past kids on their bikes, streets filled with music of all types, a pick up soccer game, children showing off on their motorcycles and bicycles, a little kid in a batman shirt and cape, people talking and sitting and smoking and laughing and dancing and playing in the streets. There was so much movement and life and color everywhere, despite the apparent poverty and poor condition of the housing stock. We finished up the day at the local community center, listening to locals tell their stories and freestyle for us. Then we walked home through the favela’s now quiet streets in the dark.

It was the first of two perfect days-- the best days yet in São Paulo.

[chinchillahips]

Today I say goodbye to Amsterdam. It's a bittersweet experience, but I'm glad to be heading home. Over the last three months, I've learned a lot, both academically and personally. I'm so grateful to have this opportunity to study abroad and I want to thank all the people who've helped me along the way. I hope I get another chance to come back, but for now, dewie dewie! #amsterdam #studyabroad #travel #sitstudyabroad (at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol)

[chinchillahips]

A week ago I was in #prague and in another week I'll be back home in #minnesota. I've travelled a lot this year and I can't believe it's almost over. I'm sad to see this semester go, but I can wait to be with my family again. #amsterdam #studyabroad #sitstudyabroad #czech #netherlands #mn #msp (at St. Vitus Cathedral)