I felt today would be a terrible day that would be unmemorable. Also, since after seeing the conditions it was something that I absolutely would not accept, I became even more rejecting towards this trip and its events.


(Upon arriving, they welcomed us warmly.)

However, after feeling the joy and warmness coming from these Javanese, I feel welcomed too. Sure, it may be difficult right now for us to get adapted to, but we feel accepted and thus, we would be able to get used to it. Though the conditions are very different from what we are used to in Singapore, sooner or later we would get used to it.


(Putting up our rooms, which resembled the way they live.)

The simplicity of their life is also to be admired, as they can keep things simple and easy, whereas in our lives back in modern cities, we are unable to maintain the simplicity within. Their hospitability is also to be admired. Their kindness should be brought into our values and culture and practiced a lot more often.

Overall, this first day has been eventful, and not as bad as I though. However, I still need some time to adjust to the conditions.

(Reflections done during trip itself and transferred to journal.)


(Group photo! Our whole ACS team and some of the orphans there.)