[GCDP] Padang, Day 27 & Day 28

Day 27

It's showtime. The day has come after 3 days of practicing to showcase the traditional Minangkabau dance known as Tari Pasambahan to the new students as part of the freshie orientation and to promote AIESEC in UNAND.

Went with Max and Kevin who stayed overnight at my place for the 2nd day in a row to UNAND. We went there by ojek and even though I told them to drop us at the bus stop, they took us directly to UNAND via the back gate and arrive earlier than the others. Still, it was a nice experience.

With my latest AIESEC shirt

We practice the dance and listen to the music to know the rhythm and beat. We also changed into traditional Minangkabau clothes.

The guys with our coach, Agung

 Taking pictures in our traditional costume before heading to the hall to stand by.

Even did a video before we performed.

 After that, it was showtime! Although our moves weren't perfect, it was awesome to perform in front of over 4000 new students. Head for lunch before helping out with promotion.

Exchange of AIESEC shirts - AIESEC in UNAND and AIESEC in Malaysia

Met with Icha and Ayii, part of the CC team for GLS after talking to them especially Icha virtually.

After that, we headed to another building. I went to the other AIESEC office in the campus. Hang around for a while before meeting with Afdhal.

We went to visit Joy who was still recovering from eye infection. Stayed around and talk to her host family before going to Afdhal's house to have dinner. Had dinner together with Safwan.

After that, Afdhal sent me home together with Safwan coming along as it was getting late. Thanks Afdhal! Reach back home and read through some articles.

Hours later after the dance, Ahmad, a fellow EP from Egypt share the link regarding our performance and it was an awesome feeling as how often does one appear in an online news portal abroad.

Article link: http://ranahberita.com/21483/galeri-foto-anggunnya-mahasiswa-bule-berbalut-busana-tradisional-minangkabau/

Before going to sleep, Meiki called as he witness an accident but I'm glad that he his safe. After that, it was time to hit the sack.

Day 28

Was picked up from home by Eko to meet with Icha and later with Cu In to go to the airport to pick up the facis and chair for GLS apart from Alaa who will be arriving the next day.

Met up with Dea, Bina, Aldo and Gatot at the airport before heading to Ayii's house. We had a rest and lunch before starting our first meeting. We got to know each other and set expectation settings before taking another rest or working on our sessions. Icha and Ayii bought satay for everyone.

Ilma came over and pick everyone except Bina who was staying over with Ayii back to their respective host families. We stop by the AIESEC office before dropping me home. Had dinner and look through the session outline before going to sleep earlier than expected. Exhausted and tired but a great day.

[GCDP] Padang, Day 24 to Day 26

Day 24

It was the day we had dance practice for the upcoming open recruitment and student orientation for the new students of Andalas University.

We were told to come by 1pm but in the end, we only started after 2pm. The girls practice their part of the dance before the guys had their practice session. It was tough but fun.

After we were done with practice, we headed to the beach, again, but this time on the side of the beach with more food stalls. Had dinner there before Papa picked us up.

Once Papa picked us up, we send a few friends back as well as Syuja before heading back home.

Day 25

Was supposed to be in the AIESEC office at 9am for meeting but ended up coming at 11:30am due to waking up late as well as having some stomach problems.

Had lunch before coming back to the office. Continuing working on the session outline for GLS before taking a short nap and resuming the session outline.

At the same time, the UNAND AIESECers we hard at work preparing the materials for the open recruitment starting on 5 August.

AIESECers at work

When to Plaza Andalas for the karaoke session and also to celebrate Niki's birthday. They did a surprise for Niki by bringing in a cake and playing the Happy Birthday song.

With Niki, the birthday lady. Also my fellow MUFC fan.

After karaoke, I went to the photobooth with Meiki, Tami, Stanya and Norma. It is also continuing Meiki's tradition of having a photo with each of his host brothers. It was also Meiki's last day in Padang before heading back to Malaysia as his classes have started.

We returned back Syuja's cap before having a sleepover. Max, Kevin, Agung, RB and Pavel came for the sleepover.

I had two chat sessions with Dea and Aldo regarding GLS before sleeping on the 2nd floor.

Day 26

Woken up by Meiki as he let me know that he was leaving. Gave him a hug before resuming sleep. Woke up to breakfast prepared by Novia. Had breakfast together with Kevin and Max before waiting for the ojek to get to the angkut to UNAND Main Campus.

When we arrive at near Pasar Bandar Buat, we took a yellow angkut passing by the same route we took before reaching to this place that I can't remember before looked familiar. We cross the street to take the shuttle bus.

We got on the bus together with the other EPs before heading to the university to help out for open recruitment and practice the dance for the performance.

 

It's been a while since I help out with recruitment since my LC days. A lot of students and I introduce myself, from where I am as well as my AIESEC experience and how AIESEC benefited me. That was done in both English, Bahasa Malaysia and Indonesia.

Also met new people in University and also finally meeting my interviewer, Meme, in person ever since coming to Indonesia.

We had lunch which was okay before resuming back to the hall to continue practicing the dance. After that, we headed to the AIESEC office for Domi's farewell party.

Domi's farewell party

After that, me, Max and Kevin had dinner at Bagan before heading back home.

With my interviewer, Meme =)

Laundry day to wash clothes  and looked at videos on Youtube regarding the Pasabahan dance before finally calling it a day after finishing this post.

5 countries represented in one photo

Till then, goodnight!

[GCDP] Padang, Day 18 to Day 23

Hi readers,

Apologies if the blog has not been updated as I was away for the Hari Raya holidays. I will summarize day 18 to day 23 with some picture and a few words.

Day 18

First day of Lebaran. My host family and I went visiting neighbours and relatives from Papa's side. It was mainly eating and meeting people. I even manage to get some duit Raya (money you get from people who are married, think Chinese New Year red packets but in this case for Hari Raya).

 Met Meiki's cousin, Syuja, who learn English through video games and it is good for a 13 year old.

Eating lontong during Lebaran. Not the first and not the last.

After that, we went to Persisir Selatan, to visit Mama's side of the family. Had dinner along the way before reaching the place. Visited some relatives before turning in for the night.

Day 19

2nd day of Lebaran. A few things caught my interest. One of it was the well and the other was the tank for taking a shower.

The source of water for everyday use

What was interesting/weird was that the tank use for taking a shower is also use to keep fish. At first, I find it disgusting and also not hygienic. At the same time, there wasn't much of a choice. Thankfully, I didn't scoop any fishes while showering.

We went to visit more relatives and we reach one of the relatives' house which was near the beach and which was supposed to be the place to stay on the first night.

Meiki, Novia, Dinda, a few cousins and me went to the beach. It was nice and the sunset was even more nice.

Sunset at Kambang

Had grilled fish for dinner and that was followed by durian and roasted sausages and chicken balls for supper.

Video of the view of the beach

It was a long day and before I went to sleep, I was awoken by Mama as there was a crab that crawled in and was next to me. Mama got rid of the crab and I continue sleeping.

Day 20

Final day of the trip to Kambang. Woke up to a nice view on Pasir Putih beach before cleaning and packing up. Had breakfast with Meiki before we had brunch with the other family members, Eko and grandma. Food in Kambang is even more spicier than what I had in Kota Padang.

After that, it was visiting more relatives and playing with Meiki's nephews and nieces. And the long trip back home begins. Eko went back with us for a couple of days.

The view from the warung we had brunch

It took about 4 to 5 hours to reach back home. We had a short break for instant noodles before finally reaching back around 1am. Wash some of the clothes which was piling up, hang it to dry on the 3rd floor before going to sleep.

Day 21

Woke up around 11am and after getting dressed, I went to meet up with Rizki, whom I have not met for a long time since my visit to LC UKM's AIESEC Gathering though we were still connected via Facebook.

After hanging around and talking in his house, we decided to head to Pondok for lunch. We ate at Es Durian and share some different kinds of food from sate to gado gado to mpek mpek.

We went to Capitea after lunch and headed to Plaza Andalas to fix my phone. Unfortunately, it can't be fixed and it only meant that I have to get a new phone when I get back to Malaysia. I got myself an external battery charger and that meant that I can only use my phone up to a certain time (say 12am or my battery goes flat, whichever comes first) and I have to turn off my phone and charge my battery.

We ended the day with lunch at CFC before heading back home.

Day 22

Highlight of the day was karaoke though only with 4 people: me, Meiki, Monik and Ihsan, who did his GCDP in Malaysia via AIESEC in UTM. Rizki came late but join us for other activities we had in mind.

We went to Capitea to chill and play games. We played UNO cards and UNO stacko. It was fun and it has been a while since I played UNO.

After that, it was dinner at Suerabi Bandung with everyone except Rizki, who had to go back home early. Ate a lot and chit chat before it was time to head back. Waited for Mama at McDonalds while meeting previous AIESECers.

Back at home, Meiki and I were talking about things regarding the past and AIESEC until it was 1:30am. Took a quick shower before going to sleep.

Day 23

Cousin Syuja came over to the house together with his parents and 2 brothers. Played some PS2 games before having lunch at home and after that, it was off to Plaza Andalas (again). 3 days in a row to Plaza Andalas. Met up with the other EPs and we went for karaoke. More AIESECers came, including new EPs who arrived within the holiday week.

Syuja went with us for karaoke and get to interact with interns who are in the same batch as me. After karaoke, it was the beach to view the sunset.

 Beautiful sunset on a beach in Padang

Took pictures and selfies before having dinner at CFC. After that, Mama picked us up from Plaza Andalas before taking many detours before being able to send Niki back.

Sat in the boot on the way back. Played some video games with Syuja and Meiki before continuing my work and blogging some delayed posts.

Photo with Meiki (centre) and Syuja

Going to get some rest. Thank you and goodnight. =)