Diwali!!!!

Not only did I get to witness Diwali decorations in Singapore but I was also lucky enough to celebrate Diwali in Palembang! A few weeks ago Hafiza and Amy made some Malaysian-Indian friends and they invited us over to celebrate Diwali with them on November 15th. Luckily enough, we had that day off for Muslim New Year anyway. Party time was set at 8pm and the girls and I got all dressed up, hired a taxi, and headed out to the house. Unfortunately, navigating the intense labyrinth of Palembang is quite the task and my usual driver (Samsudy) got us unbearably lost and we ended up here.

Next to a dirty Palembang canal, driving down a road that wasn't a road, with no idea where we were.  Eventually we did end up at the party after a few more interesting turns and 2 confusing phone calls.

When we walked into the foyer, we were greeted by our hosts, as well as the most gorgeous design ever.

 SO BEAUTIFUL!

 If you could see from the other photo, it was 2 peacocks surrounded by tea lights

 A close up on the dyed rice

After that it was all about Indian baked goods and delicious food! I met a bunch of new people and made many new friends. Overall, it was a fantastic night and I'm so sad that I only get 2 more months with everyone before I head back home. Happy Diwali everybody!

 

Songket

Most places in Indonesia have their own form of traditional printed and/or woven fabric that is specific to that location. In Palembang the traditional fabric is called songket and it is a finely woven fabric made with a loom and ridiculously expensive. Recently, one of the Indonesian teachers I work with took myself and the British Invasion to check out some of the shops. It was pretty interesting and I although I couldn't afford any songket I was able to buy some unique gifts for friends and family back home. Enjoy the photos!

printed batik fabrics

a woman using a loom to make some songket

the finished product

 gorgeous material but too rich for my blood

These are the traditional hats worn by men at important events(i.e. weddings) in Palembang

Hafiza and Amy probably laughing at the silly American (me!)

 

Singapore

As I mentioned in my last post, a few weeks ago I spent a long weekend in the thriving metropolis of Singapore. That city, and my cousin who lives there, are life-savers.  The main reason for this trip was to get extra pages to my passport. In my recent years of travel and visa collecting, I have run out of places for countries to stamp my entry and exit of their lands. Aside from that, I had 5 days to explore, shop, and relax. Awesome.

Indonesian shops have the greatest names

The view from the guest room at Cousin Jim's apartment

My first 2 days were spent shopping on Orchard Road and getting my visa taken care of. The apartment is only a half mile walk from the shopping district and that is quite dangerous.

  The ION center in all of its glory

Given that this was my 5th trip to Singapore it was about time that I made an effort to see Chinatown and Little India. Best. Idea. Ever. Both areas are within walking distance of each other and so after I got off the metro stop in Chinatown I spent the rest of the day wandering, eating, and taking pictures. Here are some of my favorites.

One of the market streets in Chinatown

  The gorgeous and massive Buddhist temple

Entrance to the temple

An ornately decorated Hindu temple

 Naturally, I run into a church wherever I go

My next stop was Little India and unbeknownst to me, Diwali (Deepavali), a festival about light, was just around the corner in November, so the whole area was decked out in amazing colors and signs for the holiday. Diwali is one of those festivals that I've been teaching to my ESL students for the past two years without any idea of what it actually entails. This was a very pleasant surprise.

Happy Deepavali everyone!

Fantastic street signs and amazing food to boot!

 Another Hindu temple

I happened upon a marketplace and loved the decorations and clothes being sold

 My amazing lunch at a vegetarian Indian restaurant

Goodbye, Singapore! I'll see you in January when my contract is over and I meet Dad for our Thailand adventure!

The night skyline of Singapore from Cousin Jim's apartment