Edutourism (language & cultural travel)
The integrated immersion program conducted by Djoglo will be starting from January 24 to February 18 (for 2,4 & 8 weeks). It is a program for intensively learning language, dance or traditional martial art, gamelan and visiting several cultural heritages. For more information contact djoglo@indosat.net.id

New Years Eve in Yogya - by Tim
I spent New Year's Eve in Yogya!! I didn't think I could get such an amazing experience in my life. I flew from my home, Canada, on December 1, even though I'd have to wait a long time for bahasa program. I had spent time in Lombok, Bali and Malang before joining "Sunset '99 at Parangtritis Beach" with Djoglo's staff. I was accompanied by my friendly tutor, Iwan, exploring Malioboro Street. Many people were on the street waiting for "buka puasa" (fasting break), or just hanging around. Spending an hour with the crowd of people on the sidewalk, "This is a real experience, Iwan," I said.

Kim from Korea, Lisa from Canada and I, together with Djoglo staff, started to leave at 4.30pm after a "pisang goreng" (fried banana) party. On the way to the beach, all I saw were motorbikes dominating the traffic.

Some guys and girls made a line to buy trumpets on the sidewalk. It seemed people wanted to expose their feelings to say good bye to 1999 and be ready to jump into the new century. We got to the beach later than we were supposed to. Aan directed to park the car away from the parking lot where we could see, maybe, hundreds of motorbike were parking around the "dandut band" stage.

We walked on the black sand and sometimes Kim played in the water. Iwan told me how dangerous the south sea waves were. Of course he graduated in geological engineering. I took some pictures of Parangtritis sunset 1999, the last sun I would ever see in the century.

Some of us broke the fasting at 6pm and we made "satay ayam" barbeque. Lisa has a good voice, and Iwan played the guitar very well. I thought most of Indonesians can play guitar. Aan taught us an Indonesian song. He said it would be the song test for bahasa Indonesia. He was kidding I assumed.

After we were all full enjoying the dinner we went to Parangkusumo, the meeting place for Sultan and the South Sea goddess. People still keep maintaining the belief that the Sultan and his descendant have to marry the goddess for her help sake. A sacred ritual was taking place. Four guardians held the flame, and the sea wave brought the mystical smell unto us. I was very disappointed since we were not allowed to take pictures of the ritual. Iwan didn't answer me why. The mystical nuance came up as we could smell the incense and the gamelan sound in slow beat.

We got home at 3pm, all of us really tired, but what an amazing time. "Go to bed when get home," I thought. But I didn't since all of us stayed up until 7 playing cards at my homestay. A really full of fun New Year's Eve.

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