VILLAGE DAYS, LOMBOK 12/16

I lived in this little house next to the home of Sury her son Sultan and her Parents just out of Kuta, Lombok for almost a month.

Every morning, as soon as they could see that I was up (and sometimes when they deemed I should be up!) They walked over to my place with my hot water and cup for my morning green tea ritual.

We passed many days Sitting on my porch or theirs, Sury and I trying to teach each other our languages (She was a better student than I was!) There was a beauty and a peace that came with living alongside this family. The mother waiting up for me every night to make sure I had got home safe and to shut the gate behind me, the father always in good spirits, cutting me down coconuts for treats, Sury with her contagious laugh and thirst of knowledge and Sultan the biggest eyed child, who even when crying managed to make us all laugh.

Living away from hotels and hostels and with the locals is such a different experience. Although I will never truly experience life the way they do, as my middle class Australian privilege extends most places I go. It was a blessing to be able to share life with them for a short while and immerse myself in their country and culture on a deeper level.