@globustrotterin

_{With my shooting team & the village kids @ Purwakarta, ID}

1. The friendliness of the people
First of all, I don’t mean that people in Europe aren’t friendly. But generally speaking, in comparison to Indonesians, the Europeans tend to be distant for the first impression. They take time to open up and build up a deeper relationship. And small things such as asking help when you are lost or bigger things such as making friends can be challenging. I miss how friendly the abang-abang food sellers can smile at you just like that when you guys accidentally met the eyes as you stalled around the street choosing from which stall should you buy your dinner tonight. 

 2. The all year sun
Back then I used to curse the sun. Yes, I hated it. I didn’t like the fact that I could be sweating in a short moment, e.g. walking from my flat to the office, just in 8 minutes walking distance. I didn’t like that I could be easily tanned or as my husband says ‘’Caramelelen’’ whenever I am browned. The umbrella used to be my best friend. But since I have been living in Europe, I really miss the sun. Europe has its summer only for three months a year. Therefore, I really maximise my opportunity every time the sun shines. I walk around the park or  even just being in my front of my flat’s building to enjoy the sun on my face. When you have already faced the long, dark, and depressing winter, you will appreciate the sun a lot. Now I get why Europeans love sunbathing, as simple as laying on the grass in the park.  
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3. The affordable prices
Indonesia is affordable! Well, having lived in Poland, Spain, Belgium and now Germany, the prices in Europe indeed vary. And one shall not compare the prices in East Europe and West Europe. European countries have different GDP among them. The city where I lived in Poland, Lodz, is quite a relative cheap city. But in general, prices in Europe are way expensive in comparison to Indonesia. Our IDR is sadly way behind when it comes to competing with EUR. Eating out has become something luxury for me in Germany, only once per week. There are no options such as buying from the food stall. Street food is not a culture here. And even if there were food stalls, it is mainly seasonal, such as only in Summer time, Halloween in autumn, or when it’s Christmas, winter time, yippee!

4. The street food culture
Oh my! This is the biggest thing that I really miss while living in Europe. Scrolling my old picture gallery and seeing the street food way back in my hometown is a torture that I’m addicted to do. European countries are generally way more organised than Indonesia. Let’s take Germany for example. This country really loves their regulations and paperworks. So let’s say that you want to establish your own food truck. Okay, then where is your hygiene certificate, your tax documents, your business plans and the list goes on. I had an idea of opening the food truck here. But as soon as I saw the procedures and requirements, it seemed like a wise choice to step back and forget about it. One hand, it is good to have rules because you can have nice and clean streets. But on the other hand, it is a joy that people here are missing without even knowing that they are missing it.

5. The nature  
Indonesia is beautiful. It is exotic and full of biodiversity more than any country in this world. And I didn’t quite realise how beautiful Indonesia is until I don’t live there anymore. Sure, there are a lot of improvements that need to be done, such as littering policy, smoking regulation, or even safety in riding. But oh my, beautiful beaches and clear water sea in the East from Indonesia, like Labuan Bajo, Raja Ampat and East Nusa Tenggara are something beyond normal beauty. They are breathtaking! The farther I live, the bigger my desire to travel back home and enjoy these beauties.