Writing Before the Road
On February 14, in a quiet hostel in Banyuwangi, I woke up early to finish writing my blog.
Some people say, “Why bother writing blogs in an age of videos?” But for me, the first purpose of this journey is to write a book. Writing things down, even in a simple blog, helps me keep track of feelings, encounters, and moments that should not be forgotten. Once I’ve caught up on writing, I plan to move on to the video phase of documenting this journey.
Leaving the Hostel, Entering a Home
Later in the day, I left the hostel with someone I had met a few days earlier. He kindly invited me to stay at his home. On the way, both of us had some tasks to take care of, so we stopped at a café. Over a meal, we switched into “work mode,” typing and focusing side by side for two hours.
When the tasks were done, we finally reached his home.
He had prepared an incredibly spacious and comfortable room for me. In addition, he gave me about twenty bottles of water and even shared all the snacks he had just received. Once again, I was reminded of how deeply generous many Indonesians are. Their sense of hospitality is not just kindness—it is devotion.
An Evening Invitation
Before bedtime, my host, Devin, suddenly said, “Let’s go to a café!” I agreed, grateful for the chance.
The coffee there was excellent—rich Arabica beans. But in Indonesia, coffee is often served without a filter, which means if you drink it right away, the grounds stay in your mouth. The trick is to wait a little before sipping, letting the grounds settle at the bottom.
At the café, I also noticed cats. Indonesia seems to be full of them, and many are surprisingly friendly with people.
Conversations That Matter
As we sipped coffee, our conversation stretched far and wide. We spoke about travel, politics, languages, immigration, even the difficult subject of suicide, and lighter topics such as hobbies.
It struck me again that the greatest value of traveling lies here—in conversations that open new doors of understanding. These moments of sharing stories and perspectives are what stay with me long after the road and the miles.
