Acehnese culture is all about treating other people with respect and dignity. They are so polite, generous and hospitable that it took me time to get used to it. Actually, I still haven't quite got used to it. For example, I have hard time just sitting and waiting when the other teachers bring the food to the table plate by plate. I have asked to help them, but they don't let me help. I'm their guest, so they will do their everything for me. For me it feels like being treated as a queen, even if I would prefer to be treated as an equal. But that is part of the culture, I guess. A couple of times I have sneaked to wash my plate without asking, and even if I have felt a little guilty about it, it has also felt so good to do my own share of the duties. I live in a guest house with a lovely English teacher, who also does her everything for me to feel good here. In the start there was also an American girl volunteering here and sharing the guest house with us, but now she has returned to US.
One part of the generosity I have got to know is that they are all the time paying me all kinds of tradiotional foods and drinks that they want me to taste. The food is so good, but very spicy. So most times they will order less spicy for me. My favourite foods so far are nasi goreng (fried rice), kacang (peanuts, roasted) and gadu gadu (kind of salad with peanuts and tofu). And the fresh fruits and juices, the place is a real fruit paradise! They have so many delicious fruits here that I have never tasted before. Fruits are delicious as they are but also as juice drinks. Just think about avocado juice, guava juice, mango juice, dragon fruit juice... You name it! One weird thing related to eating here is that people eat with hands! I have never before been in a culture where people eat rice with vegetables and sauce with bare hands. That is.. fascinating, I would say. Weird but fascinating at the same time. For me they always prepare forks and spoons, though. So far I have not tried it with hands, but I think I will try it some day. Step out of my usual comfort zone.
Then to religion, which is a topic that cannot be missed when talking about Acehnese culture. Aceh is strictly Islamic area and the religion plays an extremely important role in people's life here. The Religion defines the pace of Acehnese people's everyday life. They will wake up every day to pray at 5.30. During the day they will pray again at certain times ending up with five times praying before they go to sleep in the evening. An other visible part of the religion is the clothing. All women wear hijab to cover their hair and neck, leaving only the face visible. They wear also long-sleeved shirts and long skirt/pants. Men's clothing seems pretty "normal" for me, meaning by normal that it doesn't differ so much from what I am used to. Except when they are going to pray and they use some kind of skirt (well, it is really not a skirt but I don't remember the name and for outsider it is pretty similar to skirt) and occasionaly a special cap. Women have a special, longer hijab for praying.
As I said, all people here are muslims and obey the same rules. Visitors are adviced to follow the cultural way of clothing, but it is not so strict. As a non-muslim woman I don't need to wear a hijab and a t-shirt is ok as long as it covers at least shoulders and the neckline is not too big. Long pants/skirt is still highly recommended. As for me, I am having a hard time trying to stand out the hot weather in long pants and t-shirt. I would like wear shorts and and top. This is where my inner feminist, that I never before knew was there so strongly, lifts her head. Coming from a country where equality is a daily topic, I'm really having a hard time trying to understand and accept the inequality in clothing here. Men can wear what they want to wear, in other words they can wear what is comfortable to wear in the heat while women have to cover themselves from top to toe. I even had my short breakdown and wiping moment over this topic, the difficulty in understanding the inequality concerning clothing. But it doesn't seem to bother any women here, it is a part of the culture. It is what the holy Koran says, and that's the law. If they are not bothered, why would I be? At least I try to think like that. The bigger the difference, the more you learn. I am learning so much about the local culture and the Islamic religion.
Anyway, despite of what I wear, I am a white western here so everybody wants photos with me! If I go anywhere here, there will be people asking if they can take a photo with me. Sometimes they don't even ask, just sneak beside you and their friend sneaks on the frontside to take a picture. And when I stop for taking a picture of a nice scenery, there will be more than one camera turning to me to sneak a picture of me when I "don't notice". That is so bizarre to me, wanting to take pictures with a total stranger. What are they gonna do with the pics? There is definately a culture difference here also. In the beginning it is just funny, but at some point your smiling muscles start to shake of all the posing... And did I tell you I am a giant here? People here are so small and short. That must be one more motivation to them to take pictures with me. I feel almost like a female Hagrid here! :D
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