Putri Reading a Book
“Make friends, not enemies with people similar and different from yourself.” This agreement from the AVP agreements set me to enjoy making friends with everyone, especially in the new place. Here I am, in a new place and on a new journey.
I moved to Surakarta two months ago. Surakarta, known colloquially as Solo is a small city in the south of Central Java. It’s about a 4-hour drive from Pati. Surakarta is the center of Javanese traditions and cultures.
I live in an urban area which is very different from where I lived before. The characteristics of the environment and people are different. I think it won’t be easy for me to adapt, and yes it is not simple, but enjoyable. The last two months have been a great time to get to know the place and the people.
Greeting is always the basis to build friendship.
My house in Surakarta is very close to a Mosque. Everyday in the afternoon, many kids came to the Mosque to have prayer and iftar (during Ramadan). Sometimes they sat or played in front of my house before the time came. I smiled at them and said hello, they giggled and ran. I don’t want to miss the opportunity to get to know them.
One day, I brought a box of books from Damai Library and brought it to the Mosque before iftar time. I opened the box and said to everyone, it is open to everyone to read. Then they choose books they want to read. They talk to each other about which book they like, what story is inside the book, about the characters, reading the pictures. I sat beside the box and noticed they were busy with these books.
A kid sitting nearby asked me “What is your name?”
“My name is Ratih and you are?”
“Putri. I never saw you before, where are you living?”
“I am new here, arrived about 2 weeks ago. I live here, behind the Mosque.” And the conversation continued with some kids joining until the time was over.
Another day, I did the same. Brought a box of books and opened it for everyone. I can easily start a conversation with almost everyone, asking their name and where they are from. I ask them to join a howdy, howdy ,howdy and blanket game. After that I introduced how to treat a book and I read a book aloud for them.
“Sadly, we have to tidy up because the time is over.” Complaining voices are heard from the mouths of the children. “You can borrow some books if you want and return to my house when you finish,” I said. Now I have friends who have the same interest in books. I think greeting with books is a good idea for making friends.
Syifa reads a book for Farissa