Barack Obama
(image source from google)
A couple days ago Barack Obama, a president of American people came to my country in the situations which you all known, Indonesia currently had so many trials and tragedies that befell our people.
All TV stations almost everyday before and after Obama came to Indonesia continuously broadcast about the news of Obama, so the news about the Merapi which still spew 'wedus gembel' (hot clouds) was almost stopped for a while, covered by the Obama news...
I can say our goverment seemed so busy to prepared all welcomed to Obama...Although my impression may be somewhat exaggerated Indonesia in welcoming this great guest.... which is usually not the case in other welcome guests from outside it. hmmm...?!
Even though I didn't know Indonesia was got many advantages with the arrival of Obama or not..... but I guess that's just a normal diplomatic visit...
However I really impressed and fascinated by his visit...especially by his appearance and his performance on his speech... I can see.. Obama was a very charismatic leader... His speech was like a conjured every person who was there (including me who was watching 'LIVE' through the TV) ... applause, such as excited cheers and rousing applause constantly blaring from the audience ... something that rarely happens when a country's leaders made a speech ...
I can see ... Obama is not only a president but also he was like a celebrity or even a superstar ... HA!!
At the Mesjid Istiqlal (Michelle Obama wearing veil/hijab)
(image source from google)
I also saw he's like a true democrat who really appreciates and respects the differences ...
I'm pretty impressed and felt honored as a Muslim, when he and his wife Michelle visited the Istiqlal mosque, they took off his shoes and Michelle even dressed like a Muslim wearing the veil / hijab ...
Above all... Obama may have a special relationship with Indonesia because of his background who has lived in Indonesia in his childhood ..
it is said his stepfather was a Muslim, who may also influence in shaping him to become a person who really appreciate Muslims...
He also was fluent in Indonesian language, he still remembered with Indonesian popular food such as satay, meatballs, and fried rice ...
he also said that Indonesia has been part of his life ... visit to Indonesia is like returning home (PULANG KAMPUNG NIH!) for him ...
I'm just hoping the Obama's visit or Obama's 'pulang kampung nih!' will further enhance the friendship of the two countries .. especially could increase cooperation in various fields with mutually benefit from each other.
Mount Merapi spew 'wedus gembel'
(Image source from google)
Meanwhile...
since Obama's arrival on 9th November ago , my son Vincent was at his granny's place in Sumedang west Java, because the college was closed for a week as the effect of the mount Merapi eruption..... He can not return home to Palembang, because there was no flights from Yogyakarta to Palembang, so he and a friend who also comes from Palembang and recently study at Jogja just went to his granny's home by train for about 10-12 hours of travel ...
Now Vincent is on his way home back to Jogjakarta from Sumedang ... because the lecture will begin at tomorrow Monday..
While the Merapi still continued spewing the hot clouds, although the eruption was not as crazy as before ...Hopefully the eruptions will stopped soon .. so everyone can return back to normal activities without feeling anxious and afraid for the safety of property and their lives...