Musings from Indonesia: Kota Magelang
Kota Magelang resembles my little lovely hometown - Alor
Setar - in many ways.
I left Alor Setar after secondary school to pursue my higher
education as well as career in five other different territories/countries
around the world – starting with Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, the
UK and again Singapore. The usual trajectory for a country girl seeking to
maximize the odds of upward social mobility.
Coming to this small city at the southern part of Central
Java reminds me of my very own lovely hometown which I grew up in, and defines
who I become.
There is this small town charm here in Magelang where people
are warm and friendly, cost of living is affordable, and good amenities are
within proximity. Unlike Jakarta, people do not seem to be too unequal in this
city. At least from a very superficial observation so far. Pace is slower,
people have more patience, which is good for human sanity.
I do not know if I will ever go back and live in a small
town at some point in my life. Maybe there will come a time when the hustles
and bustles in big cities become too overwhelming for me to take.
But for now, I am savouring every moment here in Kota
Magelang, and try my best to connect with the people around me.
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