Well, as we know in this world more than 6 billion people are living together. They come from different culture, race, religion, etc. That's why we come to United States is to build a mutual understanding about another culture. One of them are Religion.

I was invited by Peace Lutheran Church committee to talk in front of teens about Islamic Religion. It's actually my first time to talk in front of people outside country from different religion with English language. As some people know actually my English is not so good. So, I was really nervous to talk in front of all of these people. But, for goodness why not, right ? They want to know more about How's the real Islam ad How's Islam looks like. There was another teens from another religion like Syiah, Christian, Hindu, Buddha, Truth, Jews, and Protestant. Not just me who gave presentation, but they too. We share a lot of thing about religion. People are interesting to asking so many question about Islam because in America Islamophobia is still very strong.

This conference was held to prevent bad effect of prejudice about one religion because people just see from one side. They never know the real aspect about Islam, Hindu, etc. So, this conference is very helpful for them to know more about another religion. Still many people are thinking that Islam is terrorist, Islam is barbarous and cruel, etc. So, I try the best I can do to clear all of this misguided mind and try to introduce the real Muslim and real Islam.

I try to talk with the theme "Islam is Rahmatan lil Alamiin". I took one verse from Quran in surah an-nur. "Inna anzalnahu illa rahmatan lil alamiin". That's mean, Allah swt delegate PBUH Muhammad to be rahmat lil alamin. To spread all the goodness, to teach people about good thing and kindness. Beside that I explain that many verses in Al-Qur'an is talking about Isa or what they believe as Jesus. I explain how's Qur'an explaining Isa since he was born until he will come back to this world.  After i read and explain this verse. They become more curious to know more about Islam. I was glad can introduce Islam to people around the world and to clear all the bad prejudice about Islam. 

Winter is the most horrible season with the cold weather and a lot of snow in South Dakota. But, winter can the the best season because a lot of people make a dance party and enjoy the snow with winter sports. After having fun with giving a lot of presentations, now it's the time to know little bit more about High School students tradition in the winter. Yeah, Winter formal or people usually called as a winter dance. The high school students usually gonna go to this dance with their date or friends and gonna have dinner together and dance at their school.
This time, I have opportunity to go with my friends and my new host brother. Actually, this day is my first day stay with new host family. In the morning, I help my host dad to make cheese cakes. we start with go to groceries store to buy all the ingredients. And back from groceries store, we start mixing all the ingredients and we bake it. After all the cakes ready, we start decorate it with fruits, whipping cream, nuts, chocolate, and caramel. In the evening, we start preparing our self to go to dinner first.
Around 7 pm, me and my host brother start go to the dinner at my friend house. Her mom wants to hosting the dinner for tonight. That night was snowing and we just get out from the car and walk to the home. Dinner start at 8, before dinner we took the picture together and talk with each other. I'm not really know couple people who come to the dinner, but who cares ? I just keep chatting with them.
Dinner starts. Menu for that night is Chicken BBQ with pasta and salad. That was yummy and I feel full. We drink the sparkling which basically an apple or grape juice with soda. The dinner really really formal, with all the decoration on the table, complete silver ware and special cup for drink.
After dinner, we ride on the Limousin and go around the city. We go to the Falls park and saw all the unique Christmas light. After we riding Limousin for an hour, we arrive at the school and ready for the dance. At the school, I met with a lot of my friends. so, I'm not even dancing there. I just chatting with them until the winter dance is done. After that we just go to the Limousin again and back to the home. That was awesome night and new experience for me.

Not satisfied with one presentation, I still have a chance to give more presentation in International Education Week which literally this is one of the program from US Dept. of State to educate American people about multicultural understanding. This program hold every year in December. All the YES student obliged to presenting their country, their culture and their religion in their school, church or community.
That's week I gave presentations at my school. First, I give my presentation in my ad room, and then my speech class, and geography class. In ad room, i have just 15 minutes to presenting my culture. The first question from me is "anyone know where is Indonesia ?" and no one give the right answer. Some said in middle east, some said close to India, etc. It's kind a sad no one know where is Indonesia and 70% clothing products in US are coming from Indonesia.
I give all the fact about Indonesia and no one believe it. My presentation make them curious and keep asking, asking and asking about Indonesia. I'm glad after they saw my presentation, they become interesting to know more about Indonesia and to visit Indonesia. Especially when I talking about Mie Aceh which that use marijuana as a ingredient. Everyone wanna come to Indonesia to taste Mie Aceh.
After from ad room, I give presentation at my speech class. I just give short presentation so everyone can ask more what they want to know then hear me speak in front of the class. I try to make 2 way communication when I give presentation so the audiences can more focus to the topic. I have a chance to take a picture with my speech class too so, I have documentation for my presentation report.
And the last one is in the geography class. In geography class, i presenting more about Indonesian people life and about geography. A lot of question more about climate, natural disaster, volcano, population density, etc. After I give presentation, i send my report to US Dept. of State and I nominated as the best presentation this year. Hope I can introduce more about Indonesia to people around the world.

Well, the night after the final football game, we all the exchange student must presenting their culture in front of people at Peace Lutheran Church. This is the first cultural presentation from the exchange students. I'm not even know what i gonna explain to people because this presentation actually just for promoting YES program.
Me and my friend from Indonesia start the presentation by presenting Indonesian Culture. I wear Sundanese traditional cloth and my friend wearing dayak. Everyone just shock when they heard all the fact about Indonesia. Such as the number of islands, language and ethnic. They don't believe that Indonesia have all of that.
After Indonesia, it's my friend's turn to presenting African culture. It's kind a awesome to know more about African culture and African life. Not just like what we think. They have a lot of ethnic and language. But, it's kind a sad when i heard about the conflict and the hunger that strike African people.
After Africa, it's my friend's turn from Bangladesh and India to presenting their culture. They presenting a lot about the similarity between Indian culture and Bangladesh culture. They Explain how Islam and Hindu affecting their culture and people's life.
And, the last one are my friends from middle east. They come from Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan which basically their country are neighbor and close each other. My friend from Palestine explain more about how hard to be Palestinian. Everyone just curious and keep asking, asking and asking about the real condition in middle east.
This presentation not take time very long, because we just have time to just introduce our culture and not explaining our culture deeply. But, we glad can share our culture to American people and can answer all the question from people. We really hope can give more presentation and introduce our culture to American people.

Well, long time not update my blog and not writing story in my blog. Now, I just wanna share my experience when I watched State Final Football game between my School, Lincoln High School Sioux Falls with Roosevelt High School Sioux Falls.

Actually, I'm not even really interesting with American football because, beside i never playing American football, i'm not really understand the rule in the American football. But, i'm really curious with American football because, this such as a big deal for all American people to watch their football. Especially in thanks giving day and Super Bowl match. They usually have a party for a big football game. but, this is different with NFL game. This is a high school state football game which kind a very prestigious tittle for high school to showing their class and quality in sport. Whichever can become a football champion, that's school gonna be a favorite school in that city or in that state.
That's day I was busy with helping my host family painting and cleaning the house. I heard  all my friends gonna go to the Dakota Dome in Vermilion to watch the game and I really wanna go there. But, i don't have a ride and all my friends are going with their friends. So, I try to call all my friends and finally I got a ride from my friend in Latin class. She pick me up around 6 pm and we go together to the dome. I we share a lot of story and she kind a interesting with Indonesia.
After 1 hour driving to Vermilion, we arrived at the dome and i just go to the ticket kiosk. The ticket price for the student is $6. The game start exactly at 7.30 pm. Lincoln looked got pushed by the opponent. The supporter keep screaming, screaming and screaming to support their school. We lost 21 - 3 until the end of 2nd Period.
After the half game break, Lincoln control the game and give counter attack to the opponent. In the third period Lincoln make 3 Touchdown and break the opponent's mental. In the fourth period, Lincoln make 2 Touchdown and make them claimed the State Football Champion tittle.
It was awesome how football become the part of American life. In fact, in the super bowl day, they have a holiday for the worker so, they can have a super bowl party and watch the super bowl game. I'm really glad can know more about American football and become part of the supporter to support my school that's night. What a wonderful experience...

Well, as everyone know, Indonesia never had a snow. If Indonesia have a snow, it's gonna be a disaster because Indonesia is in equator, that's mean impossible to have a snow. Anyway, after I'm waiting for a long long long time, finally my dream come true. I see the real snow, not just a snow made by ice at snow world in Indonesia. It's actual snow come from a sky. I was waiting since summer and I keep asking when is the winter, because i was thinking winter gonna be fun like in a disney movie.

The fall is coming, and i'm become more excited to see and feel the winter. until finally, when all the leaf are fell down, the snow is coming. That's day, i was in my English class, i just wearing sweatshirt like usually because i don't know it's gonna be snowing. But, when school is done, the snow is coming and i just running outside to see the real snow. The snow rain getting harder and i just walk to the house which literally just 10 minutes from school. I running like a little kid and keep kicking the snow, hahahaha.

I saw everything become white because of snow. Football field, track, roof, tennis court, road, yard, park, all become white covered by snow.  The snow truck coming and shoveling all the road in the city. The snow change everything that's day. The sky is just dark and and keep snowing the whole night. Because i'm too happy, when i arrive at home, i just running to my room, take my coat and go outside playing with the snow and take a picture with the snow. I can't say anything and just feeling too happy see the snow.

The next morning i'm still excited with the snow, i want to walk on the snow. But, when i try the snow is like 30-40 inches deep. I foot just go inside the snow and the snow go inside my shoes. It's just cold, and the temperature was -3 degrees Celsius. I just keep walking and take picture with snow as many as possible. When i arriving at the school, my teacher just said "Well, this is a first snow for Harry." and everyone just laughing.

Pada cerita sebelumnya saya baru menceritakan perjalanan saya dari Washington D.C ke Sioux Falls. Pada penasaran kan bagaimana kondisi kota yang akan saya diami selama satu tahun ini ? Intip ceritanya disini. Pokoknya Sioux Falls itu sesuatu banget deh.

Setelah kurang lebih tidur selama 15 jam akibat terlalu lelah, akhirnya nyawa pun embali masuk ke dalam raga. Saya pun terbangun dan melaksanakan sholat Maghrib, Isya, Qiyamullail dan Tilawah sambil menunggu waktu masuk Shubuh. Selepas melaksaakan sholat Shubuh, saya membereskan semua barang-barang yang saya bawa dari Indonesia. Sekitar pukul 09.00 Am Mr. Jerry Rieck (Host Dad) mengetuk pintu kamar dan bermaksud mengajak keluar untuk sekedar jalan-jalan. Saya, host dad dan host mom berjalan-jalan keluar untuk mencari sesuatu, karena biasanya disini banyak orang-orang yang menjual barang-barang bekas yang masih bagus.

Setelah lama berjalan, saya diajak untuk mencicipi salah satu snack yang terkenal di Sioux Falls. Namanya adalah "Bagel." Bentuknya bulan seperti kue donat, tapi agak keras dan menggunakan selai seperti margarin karena umumnya Bagel itu rasanya tawar. Setelah membeli 2 kantong Bagel, kami kembali ke rumah untuk memakan bagel tersebut.

Keesokan harinya, aku diajak keluar ke taman, karena disini banyak sekali taman yang dapat digunakan masyarakat untuk berkumpul, bermain, membawa anjing dan lain sebagainya. Di samping setiap taman ada sungai dan juga ada Trail Way alias Jalan Sepeda untuk masyarakat berolahraga seperti lari atau bersepeda.

Setelah melihat taman, saya pun diajak pergi ke Falls Park. Falls Park merupakan salahsatu tempat wisata dimana disitulah letak air terjun yang menyebabkan kota ini bernama Sioux Falls. Sangat berbeda kondisi air terjun disini dengan di indonesia. Di Indonesia air terjun betul-betul alami dan indah karena berada di hutan atau pegunungan. Sedangkan disini air terjun berada di tengah kota dan sekelilingnya telah dibuat taman.

Di perjalanan, saya sempat terperangah ketika melihat hutan-hutan kota ternyata memiliki banyak sekali rusa. Pemerintah kota berusaha menjaga kelestarian Rusa di habitatnya karena rusa-rusa itu memang benar-benar alami berasal dari kota ini, bukan sengaja pemerintah memindahkan dari suatu daerah. Karena sangat jarang sekali wilayah hijau di Amerika, maka dari itu pemerintah melakukan penjagaan ketat terhadap ekosistem hayati agar makhluk-makhluk hidup yang ada di Amerika tidak punah begitu saja di telan waktu.

Sambil di perjalanan, kami pun melewati beberapa bangunan-bangunan penting di kota ini. Seperti diantaranya, Penjara yang besar dan tampak tua, katedral, dan perpustakaan yang memiliki jam seperti Big Ben di London. Saat melewati beberapa jalanan di kota ini terutama "Down Town" saya langsung teringat dengan bagaimana situasi kota Bandung dulu ketika saya masih kecil. Begitu sejuk, rindang, bersih, tidak ada kemacetan, tertib, dll. Dan saya dibawa kembali kepada ingatan itu dikala saya menginjakkan kaki di Sioux Falls karena kondisi kotanya yang tak terlalu berbeda. Sangat berat menerima ini karena terkadang saya langsung homesick dan ingin kembali ke rumah.

Selain berkeliling kota, sayapun berusaha mencari komunitas muslim terdekat agar saa bisa beribadah dengan nyaman dan juga mengetahui bagaimana kondisi muslim disini. Ketika menghampiri sebuah rumah kecil yang memiliki plang "Islamic Center of Sioux Falls" kondisinya betul-betul memprihatinkan. Masjid yang kecil, sederhana bahkan tidak boleh menggunakan speaker luar membuat saya semakin rindu dengan kumandang adzan.

Setelah lama berjalan, akhirnya kami kembali ke rumah dan beristirahat. Tubuh yang masih merasakan lelah dengan lamanya perjalanan dan juga setumpuk aktifitas di Washington D.C membuat saya sedikit pusing dan saya memilih untuk tidur.

Well... Lama juga ya gak update kisah saya di blog. Karena terlalu padatnya agenda selama disini dan banyaknya PR yang masih menyulitkan saya. Tapi karena mumpung weekend ini kosong dan semua PR sudah beres, dan berhubung tangan udah gatel buat nulis, saya mau lanjutin kisah selama disini.

Setelah di malam hari ba'da ied kami di beri informasi keberangkatan ke state masing-masing, kebetulan saya kebagian yang paling pagi. Pukul 02.00 waktu Washington DC, saya sudah turun ke ballroom untuk persiapan keberangkatan, seperti pengecekan barang, absen peserta, pembagian pasport, dll. Kami pun di absen dan kebetulan, saya berangkat ke chicago bareng Rangga, Vicky, dan Fakhri Barustan. Pukul 3.30 bis pun meluncur ke Dulles internasional airport. Kami ditemani oleh 2 kakak-kakak dari Malaysia. Kami pun mengantri 1 per 1 untuk melakukan check in di counter United Airlines. Selepas check in, kami bergegas menuju ke ruang tunggu. Namun seperti biasa, kami harus menghadapi pengecekan ynag ketat. Saya sudah bersiap-siap mengganti sabuk dengan tali tas dan saya menggunakan sandal gunung untuk mempercepat pengecekan. Setelah semua dipastikan aman dan selesai melalui tahap pengecekan, barulah kami berjalan menuju ruang tunggu. Cukup jauh memang dari tempat kami check in, tapi untungnya Bandara ini dilengkapi sistem kereta bawah tanah, sehingga penumpang dapat dengan mudah dan leluasa berpindah terminal.

Saya sedikit terkesima melihat kondisi bandara yang indah, simple dan rapi. Semua tertata pada tempatya dan yang jelas gak ada WC yang dicoret-coret temboknya. Hampir seluruh lantai menggunakan karpet untuk menjaga kenyamanan dari para pengunjung. Hampir di seluruh dinding, dilengkapi dengan lukisan-lukisan yang menjadikan kita serasa santai saat berada dalam bandara. Kami pun sampai di ruang tunggu dan menunggu sejenak hingga dipanggil untuk masuk ke pesawat. Tepat pukul 5.45 waktu setempat, kami masuk ke pesawat yang akan membawa kami ke O'hare international airport Chicago. Sambil menunggu pesawat takeoff, saya pun melaksanakan sholat shubuh di pesawat. Pesawat sempat mengalami delay karena ada salahsatu pesawat yang belum juga terbang karena salah jalur. Tapi setelah menunggu sekitar 15 menit, akhirnya pesawatpun tinggal landas dan kami mengucapkan selamat tinggal pada washington DC mungkin untuk satu tahun.

Kami menempuh perjalanan selama 1 jam 45 menit dari Washington ke Chicago. Karena silaunya matahari, saya memilih tidur saja selama di pesawat. Sesekali saya terbangun ketika pramugari pesawat menawarkan minuman atau camilan. Tak terasa pesawat sudah bersiap-siap mendarat di Chicago, rasanya sangat cepat sekali pesawat ini. Padahal gara-gara saya tidur jadinya pesawat terasa cepat. Akhirnya pesawatpun mendarat dengan sempurna di salahsatu bandara tersibuk di Amerika Serikat ini. Namun perjalanan belum berakhir, saya hanya transit disini dan akan melanjutkan perjalanan ke Sioux Falls menggunakan pesawat jet komersial karena bandara di Sioux Falls sangatlah kecil namun padat.

Saya bertiga berangkat ke Sioux Falls bersama Vicky dan Drasthi (Exchange dari India) karena kebetulan kita sama-sama di Sioux Falls. Sambil berjalan ke ruang tunggu, kami pun menikmati keindahan bangunan bandara O'hare tersebut yang bernuansa gotik. Sambil berjalan kami mencari sarapan, dan kebetulan ada MCD. Kami pun membeli sarapan disitu, dan saya memilih membeli burger isi telur. agak aneh memang, tapi bagaimana lagi, karena telur sudah terjamin kehalalannya tanpa harus diragukan. Kami pun menikmati sarapan masing-masing sambil menunggu pesawat.

Pukul 09.45 waktu Chicago kami pun masuk ke pesawat dan mengucapkan selamat tinggal ke kak Lee dari Malaysia yang mengantar kami dari Washington dan kebetulan beliau mau menjenguk Host Family nya yang tinggal di Chicago. Kami pun naik ke pesawat Jet komersial yang kecil dan menempuh perjalanan kurang lebih 1 jam 30 menit. Hanya ada 1 pramugara disitu karena pesawat tidak terlalu besar dan penumpang tidak terlalu banyak. Saya pun melanjutkan tidur saya di pesawat karena matahari sedang sangat terik di Summer itu.

Akhirnya kami pun tiba di Bandara Regional Sioux Falls. Bandara yang kecil dan hanya pesawat-pesawat jet komersial lah yang dapat mendarat disitu. Bentuk bangunan yang tidak terlalu berbeda dengan Bandara Husein Sastra Negara Bandung mengingatkan akan keadaan kota darimana saya berasal. Kami pun langsung berjalan keluar dan langsung disambut oleh masing-masing host family. Setelah beberapa lama mengobrol dan berkenalan, kamipun mengambil bagasi dan langsung ke rumah masing-masing.

Sesampainya di rumah, saya ditunjukkan dengan berbagai perabotan yang ada di rumah dan ditunjukkan cara menggunakannya. Sempat terkejut melihat 3 anjing kecil yang berada di rumah dan saya sangat-sangat merasa tidak suka dengan anjing-anjing tersebut, tetapi saya mencoba beradaptasi dan menikmati semuanya. Karena kondisi badan yang terlalu lelah, akhirnya saya memutuskan untuk tidur. Keesokan harinya, sayapun berjalan-jalan ke sekitar rumah dan melihat sekolah saya selama disini karena kebetulan sekolah hanya 4 blok dari rumah. Betapa bahagianya pagi itu dapat menikmati udara segar musim panas di Sioux Falls.

Jangan Ditiru... Orang Iseng ini... hahahaha 

Rangga dan Vicky di dalam kereta 

Suasana kereta bawah tanah di Bandara Dulles 

 Narsis dulu ah...

 O'hare International Airport Chicago, Berasa lagi di Museum Geologi Bandung

Nyampe juga di Sioux Falls 

Lapangan football sekolah dan track lari 

My Temporary House

Washington, DC (8/8/2013) - An valuable experience that i will never forget in my life . The first time i set foot in the united states , a country with a huge curved wide variety of cultures , people and religions . I am happy to set foot in the united states because i probably would not have a chance like this again . But i am still sad when i leave home for a student exchange program for 1 year from the U.S. State department . I was sad because i could not celebrate eid with family at home . The first time i celebrate eid with 400 other yes participants from different countries and with different religions.

On august 8, 2013 , exactly where the feast of eid al-fitr in the united states , we are following the arrival orientation at the hilton washington dc . It feels very happy to be able finish for 1 month of ramadan fasting and celebrate eid in a different place with a different atmosphere . Morning at 08.00 local time we started to get out of their rooms and doing breakfast at the hilton hotel ballroom . The morning breakfast was bread , turkey meat and cereals , but we all seemed to enjoy the breakfast .

At 09.30 on the implementation committee announced us the eid prayers for the muslim. Our special guest arrival will lead the eid prayer on the occasion of imam bashar arafat from baltimore . Imam bashar explain little bit related procedures for eid prayers and the muslim immediately invited us to pray eid . After that we went straight to the hall which is where we will perform eid prayers . Because the hall is rather small , finally a place between women and men were separated .

At 9:45 pm we were all assembled and ready to perform their prayers eid . We all carry a takbir led by priests bashar arafat . All followed and echoed takbeer with serene and humility . Seemed to echo the takbir electrifying the room to deliver the prayer and praising allah . Our hearts were shaking as we imagine how allah has granted various favors to us all .

Eid prayer begins at 10:00 . Led by imam bashar arafat , all seem to follow eid prayer humility . Begins with a letter and followed by letters al-fatihah al -'ala and the second rakaat al-ghasiyah letter further adds emotion and embarrassment for power and majesty of god almighty . After the prayer finished imam bashar proceed with a brief sermon as a complement eid prayer .

In the sermon of imam bashar advised that we as a nation should uphold the ambassador of good behavior and keep the peace and inter-religious harmony . Tolerance in religion must be upheld as god has instructed in al - quran . Bashar besides imam also advised that we as muslims should not omit our identity and wishes to do anarchists . Because the real islam is rahmatan lil alamin . At the end of bashar priest prayed that this life will walk in peace and harmony , there is no war , bashar priest also prayed that the unrest in various places coming to an end and quickly resolved .

After the eid prayers , we all shook hands and apologized to each other and greet each acquaintance . After that we took a picture together imam bashar arafat and chatted while the road to the hall . Our last session presentation one of imam assad about tolerance in social life . After that we were served a variety of food and the most special of the day was nasi briyani . All seemed happy to celebrate eid al-fitr both muslims and non-muslims.

 Washington, DC (7/8/2013) - Wah, ketemu lagi nih sobat blogger sekalian. kebetulan kemarin kan ceritanya baru sampe nginep di hotel. sobat blogger belum tau kan di hotel kita ngapain aja ? intip kegiatan kita yuk.

Setibanya kami di Washington DC, kami langsung dibawa ke Hotel Hilto n untuk mengikuti orientasi Internasional selama 3 Hari 2 malam. Berbagai agenda telah disiapkan oleh panitia selama orientasi untuk membekali kami dengan berbagai macam pengetahuan seputar Keluarga Amerika, Kehidupan di Amerika, cara menyelesaikan masalah, dll. Para peserta dibagi kedalam 38 Kelompok dan juga dari 38 kelompok tersebut dibagi lagi kedalam 5 POD. Pembekala sendiri dilakukan oleh masing-masing pod, agar tidak terlalu banyak orang.

Dalam orientasi kami harus mensimulasikan sebuah kasus melalui sebuah drama singkat yang mungkin akan menimpa kami selama di US. Kebetulan kelompok kami mendapatkan masalah tentang penggunaan barang-barang dirumah. Aku mendapat peran menjadi seorang ibu yang sangat sibuk. Semu tertawa melihat tingkah kami dalam drama. Aku senang jika dapat menghibur teman-temanku yang lain.

Selain tentang masalah, kami juga diberi pengarahan tentang pemahaman agama. Kami digilir menuliskan apa yang kami ketahui tentang suatu agama. Yang jelas, agam ayang resmi diakui oleh dunia. Kami memilih 5 orang yang akan menuliskan itu. Aku hanya membantu memberi saran saja apa yang harus mereka tulis. Setelah itu kami makan siang bersama dan istirahat. Kai mengobrol dan sharing tentang budaya, bahasa dan lain sebagainya. Tak banyak orang yang dapat mengucapkan bahasa Indonesia, begitupula kami yang kesulitan menggunakan bahasa lain.

Selepas istirahat makan siang, sesipun dilanjutkan. Kebetulan kak Andris, GL dari Indonesia meminta kami untuk memimpin Ice Breaking. Maka kami memandu teman-teman dari berbagai negara tadi untuk melakukan Ice Breaking favorit kami yaitu menyanyi lagu BANANA. Maka tanpa rasa malu Aku, Ucok, Rangga dan Fakhri maju kedepan untuk memimpin Ice Breaking. Semua tampak mengikuti dan tertawa saat melihat tingkah kami di depan.

Pada pukul 06.00 pm waktu setempat, orientasi pun berakhir. Kebetulan itu malam takbiran dan saya berpuasa pada hari itu. Maghrib di Washington DC sekitar pukul 08.00 pm waktu setempat. Akhirnya sambil menunggu akupun tidur. Tiba-tiba ada seseorang mengetuk pintu dan ternyata itu sudah pukul 00.00 am. akupun langsung terperanjat bangun dan membuka pintu ternyata temanku dari saudi yang sedang mencari temannya yang lain. Dia meminta maaf, tapi justru aku berterima kasih telah dibangunkan karena aku belum sholat maghrib dan Isya. Akhirnya kami berdua sholat berjamaah, dan dia menjadi imam. Begitu merdu bacaan suratnya dan begitu fasih. Malam itu pertamakalinya aku sholat berjamaah. Dia sangat berterimakasih sudah mengingatkannya untuk sholat.

Suasana saat sarapan di hari Orientasi

foto bersama Mohammed dari Turki... Bak Pinang dibelah 2

Washington, DC (6/9/2013) - "Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Dulles International Airport, Washington D.C, United States." Kembali lagi bersama saya di kisah yang berbeda. hehehehe. Ya, itulah pengumuman yang disampaikan oleh pilot United Airlines. Pilot sudah mengumumkan hanya menggunakan bahasa inggris. Karena saya yakin, pilotnya gabisa bahasa Indonesia. wkwkwkwk.

Alhamdulillah setelah 7 Jam perjalanan menggunakan pesawat dari London ke D.C, akhirnya kami tiba di Dulles International airport pada pukul 15.00 waktu setempat. Kamipun langsung berbaris menunggu kelompok lainnya karena kami akan segera memasuki tahap imigrasi. Sambil menunggu, aku sujud syukur, mengucap Alhamdulillah kepada Allah Swt karena akhirnya, mimpi yang selama ini hanya ada di otak, bisa terwujud juga. Sampai di US dengan selamat tanpa ada kekurangan suatu apapun.

Memasuki tahap imigrasi, ternyata antrian sangat panjang. kurang lebih setengah jam kami mengantri hanya untuk mendapatkan stempel di pasport kami. Akhirnya giliran aku pun tiba. Aku senyum kepada petugas imigrasi, dan menyapanya. Setelah itu, aku langsung mengambil koperku dan langsung menuju keluar.

Diluar kami disambut oleh para volunteer AFS dari berbagai macam negara. Diantara para volunteer tersebut ternyata ada yang dari Bogor dan Bandung. Wajah kami langsung sumringah melihat kakak-kakak volunteer dari Indonesia. Sore itu betul-betul sebuah kebahagiaan yang tiada henti karena sebentar lagi kami akan memulai petualangan baru, selama setahun menumpang di negri orang. Karena padatnya pendatang, kamipun harus menunggu teman-teman kami yang lain. Setelah 1 jam kami menunggu, akhirnya kamipun langsung keluar menuju bis. Untuk mengisi waktu luang, seperti biasa, kami berfoto dulu di bandara...

Hal unik terjaid saat kami akan memasuki bis, kami lupa bahwa bis di US pintunya ada di sebelah kanan. Beda dengan di Indonesia. Karena disini kursi drivernya ada di sebelah kiri. Banyak diantara kami yang lupa dan akhirnya merasa malu sendiri saat akan naik bis. Dan salahsatu yang lupa itu adalah aku. Di bis kami di absen dan kami duduk dengan sangat nyaman. Bis yang besar dan disetiap kursi terdapat colokan listrik.

Dari Dulles airport, kami langsung menuju ke Hotel Hilton untuk mengikuti Orientasi Internasional. Sesampainya di Hotel Hilton, kami di sambut oleh beberapa volunteer dari Afrika dan mereka menyapa kami dengan ramah. Setelah itu kami mengantri untuk menyerahkan pasport dan name tag kami, lalu kami mengambil kunci kamar dan Orientation kit dari AFS. Kami diberi sebuah kaos bertuliskan "10 Annyversary YES", lalu kami mendapatkan goodie bag berisikan botol minum dan buku untuk perlengkapan orientasi. Kebetulan selama 3 Hari, saya akan sekamar dengan exchange student lain dari Arab Saudi. Betul-betul perjalanan yang melelahkan, tapi kami tak merasa lelah karena kami menjalaninya dengan penuh keceriaan,

Meluapkan kegembiraan diluar Bandara sambil menunggu bis 

Amalia Suri, Peserta dari Aceh lagi nunggu bis juga

Foto dulu ah sama tulisan dilarang parkir berbahasa inggris

Ucok, narsis sama botol minumnya 

Inilah bis yang kami tumpangi dari Bandara ke Hotel

Tophan, peserta dari Surabaya foto sama bendera merah putih di hall Bandara 

Foto juga sama Wildan ah 

Foto sama Ucok. 

Wildan ngegaya sendiri pake bendera merah putih 

Nah sekarang giliran saya poto sendiri 

The best sweeper dan filter (Versi kak Andries)