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Popoongan Short Diary

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of other” – Mahatma Gandhi
 
Decha, a Popoongan girl and I
A wise man said to me that when you are serving others you learn about yourself in process. In  the beginning I didn’t care with those words, that was just nothing, but arriving in Popoongan was different story. I can’t believe it how time flies quickly. Popoongan is an island a part of Balabalakang (Balabagan) archipelago located in the border province of East Kalimantan and West Sulawesi. This story begin when I was upset and stress with my own life I had no idea what I have to do, people called this as a life crisis periode, Am i? Ah, fak! I wanted to do something meaningfull instead of just a travel. Meeting  friends in the coffeshop was a miracle that god had given me, that was the answer.

By that I would like to thanks to Mas Don, Daeng Dave, Mas Put , and Mas Ton who brought me there for free *lol they knew that I am a misqueen traveler hahaha. When I was visiting this island, Popoongan wasn’t famous like nowadays, the condition now is so much better than before (I know it through google) That wasn’t my first time visited an island without electricity, clean water, any other modern facilities, that was just a small island. Children there doesn’t have any gadgets even money to buy some food, but does it make them being an anguish people? Big No! they were happy, and so gratefull because of that they are able to accepting every single things in their life? Me? Hahaha for sure I couldn’t live without gadget on my hand.

When we just arrived there the kids welcoming us with the brightest smile in the universe. They are calling me as “kakak ganteng” in the reality I pushed them to call me like that. I had no experience of teaching, but they had desire to played some of games, I taught them singing, dancing, and I watched Mas Ton taught them to play plastisin, that was precious. Yap, I had so much fun, their smile, laugh, and gratefulness are succeed to warmed my heart up. I learned a lot about helping others following what Gandhi said although what I did wasn’t to big, that was just a simple things, I learned to letting go of my own ego, thanks kids.

When I left Popoongan the kids thanked me for being their friend and noob teacher but really I want to be the one to thanks them because through their smile they have change me as a person and showed me that I need just a little things in life to be happy. By the time I have to leave Popoongan, it feels like leaving home, Ah.


Thanks Popoongan.

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