LIFE IN THE USA: The White House

Saturday, February 9, 2008

The White House

The weather was rainy and windy when I had a tour to the white house, where president George W. Bush does his daily duties and presides his nation. I was very lucky I could capture this incredible memory of posing in front of the white. You know, this building was very securely guarded by the policemen in every corner of the spots. So, the visitors were allowed to see this shadow of a nation only from the pedestrian sidewalks. But, it was a big deal for me to do it. Imagine that not all people have this valuable and everlasting experience. Me, the one who attains it, is here in the United States of America.

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MY DAILY DAIRY

7 January 2008 (at home and on the way)

The day passed as quickly as the flash, and I just felt as if GOD had brought me to HIS paradise and so did my family. The very unforgettable and valuable “diamond” GOD gave was I have been awarded to US fellowship for 5 months. In my heart, a deep will to arrive in my dreaming country was deep seated. And this has become my future in my life. My wife also felt the same thing. She was glad hearing her husband would be in the United Stated for 5 months. She urged that it was hard for a person like HIM to have a chance to see the White House freely, even a rich person.

Monday, 7 January 2008 was the day on which I had to fly. My wife and son looked sad as if they had forced me not to go. But, they were so patient and let me go. At 5 a.m. My family and I got on a car that we had rent the day before to Surabaya where the airport JUANDA is located. In the car, I saw tears in her eyes but covered with her right hand. I knew but I tried not to look at her. I felt it was hard for her to be left for that period: she had to earn money for survival and went to school alone without me.

At JUANDA airport Surabaya

For about 2 hours, we were in the car and finally we arrived at 7.30. In the airport, at domestic flight waiting open room, we were having breakfast together while waiting for the flight schedule and call on the board. Unfortunately, there was no call and schedule as well yet. I tried to ask the check in official nearby and clarify my flight. That’s right, she suggested me to the international departure. We walked there for 4 minutes and saw the boards finally. There was my flight schedule on it: GA 309 to Jakarta. When my wife knew it, she cried and my son looked at me as if he wanted to say “Be careful, my father’. I brought my carry on bags and luggage to the check in section. I walked slowly while waving my right hand to them. I looked she was still crying. I put all my bags to be checked and took them back with me afterwards. She was still waving her right hand when I was to ticket counter. That was the last time I saw her as another building in the airport blocked my sight.
In the ticket counter, I showed my electronic ticket and my identity card to the official to get the real ticket saying my gate and flight number on the plane. But, the official asked me to put my luggage to be tied first. ‘sorry sir, I said. After I got my ticket, I was so confused where to go since it was the first time for me to be in international departure. I asked someone and he showed me the direction to the second floor. YA, I got the way, but I entered the wrong room “a bank’. A beautiful woman then directed me the right gate. Yet, there, I was not allowed to enter the gate room because it was not my turn yet. Six people were waiting outside including me. But, I had no friends to talk. I just played my cell phone and sent sms. I saw the people were neat in dressing and their cell phone was expensive but I was not. But, it was OK. Also, I was wondering on my big luggage. I was afraid if it lost. Two young men were walking in front of me: they might be the workers there. I wanted to know whether my luggage was safe or not and where I take it back. They said my luggage was safe and asked me to have it in Jakarta. I felt relieved then.
Thirty minutes later, the official asked me to enter the gate room. I had to show my ticket and put my carry on luggage to be rechecked. Alhamduilillah, everything was OK. I sat in middle part where I could see the planes parking, taking off, and landing and watch the TV program. Other passengers and I had to wait for the flight in the gate room. Twenty minutes later, an announcement was on telling that the passengers should enter the door to board based on the order of the numbers. When I saw my turn, I directly got in and found my seat number. I put my carry on bags above my seat. While waiting for the taking off, I sent sms to my wife, my friends, and my uncles.
Not long after that, the flight attendance announced that we were to take off: cell phone, radio, or other electronic devices should not be on. To Jakarta was 1 hour 20 minutes and it was not long flight. Maybe, it was my lucky day. I saw the leader of NU organization: HASYIM MUZADI and the popular singer and composer: DHANY DEWA at the same plane. Dhany was sitting in the executive seat: two seats and front position. On the other hand, Hasyim was sitting in economy class behind me.

At Seokarno- Hatta airport Cengkareng

My Garuda plane landed finally at 10. 25 approximately. I hurriedly took my small bags under and above my seat. Queuing for a way out was done by everybody, but the first line as business or executive passengers. That was my first sight of the international airport in Jakarta. Good enough and big. I went through the corridor along the airport to exit and to take my big luggage. Good, at last I found the place to claim my bag and I took it with me. Again I needed to wait for 30 minutes.
The next, I walked through the exit path, and I had had an appointment with Mr. isna to meet in the picking up open room. But, we did not know each other yet. The only way was to send sms and call. Exactly, I met him then. Fortunately, his friend picked up us to the hotel. We went to the hotel with a car, absolutely free. About 1 hour to our destination. That was the moment we knew each other.

At Sofyan Hotel Jakarta
We arrived at the hotel, Sofyan Hotel Jakarta at 12.00. We checked in immediately. Three people addressed us in the lobby. Those were our friends waiting for us. We introduced each other and had a small talk. The official gave us forms to fill out and a key of each of our room. We together went up stair by lift. Ok, I got my room nearby Mr. Isna’s.
The room was OK. I immediately took the documents I needed to bring to the US Embassy for pre departure orientation at 1 p.m. I took my clothes off to bathe. Then we went to the Ambassy with mr. Isna. We had been waited there. Again, we were in line. The security checked my documents and asked our purposes here. We got an ease as we had had an appointment with mrs. Reni before. The orientation was finally held at 2. My friends discussed a lot. We also got $300 for our needs. We finished at 4. To go back to hotel, we chose to walk about 20 minutes, not very long. There, we prepared everything. Three of us left the hotel first with a Kijang car at 6. You know Jakarta is busy and always traffic jam. And the rest of us went later.
We arrived at the airport 7.30. Everybody was there. Then we checked in to get the ticket. We paid airport tax and fiscal fee 1.1 million. We would fly at 9.55. Again, we walked along the way to the gate room where the passengers were waiting for the flight. GREAT…. Korean Airplane was very huge, hundred of people inside including me. That was the first time I saw and flew with it in my life. You know the passengers seats were divided into three parts: the right side (two seats), the middle (four seats) and the left (two seats). I was in the middle in line with the others fellows from Indonesia. I was perplexed. In front of seat, there was a small TV screen. I just pressed what I wanted. I could watch movies, news channel, music etc. there were a lot facilities. I also got a delicious food for dinner. About 7 hours to arrive at Seoul international airport in Korea. We arrived at 7 a.m. there. It felt I had stomachache, and I went to toilet. Surprisingly, no water was available. I had to use tissues to clean it. After that, we had to walk to the gate where all passengers waiting for the next flight to Washington DC. We sat at the gate until 10. But, an announcement was released that the plane was a little bit late. I bought a set of souvenir made in Korea, very beautiful. We also took picture together. Finally the plane approached the boarding door. That was the time to fly. Yes, I could not wait to arrive at DC. With the same plane, we departed from Seoul to DC. But, we were in the rear right now, near the tail of the plane, very noisy. Ahaa, we were again in the middle. The flight took 13 hours, very tiring but joyful. We went to restroom for every 3 hours to relax. We were served best with kind smile and good food. Yet, I was sad, I did not get the halal food. I did not know why. I talked several times to either the steward or stewardess. But, I still got the regular food, the food that the other passengers ate. I just hoped and prayed that my food was halal. There was no a conscious plan to have it. Surely, it was beyond my reach.

I did not know what happened next, because I was sleeping. When I was awake, I saw red lights outside. It was the sun to arise and shine, very beautiful. I heard that we were already on the air of the United States. I felt happy because I would arrive soon. That was true, the steward said that in the next 20 minutes the plane would land in the Dulles airport. Truly America, I said.

LIFE IN THE USA

Saturday, February 9, 2008

The White House

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