WORLD OF NADA: Karlovy Vary

The journey finally came to an end. We had to go home tonight. That means we still had a few more hours to spend. We used the remaining hours to walk around Karlovy Vary. Too bad it was raining, it was very light though that it was enough to cover up only with our scarves. We might be walking at the same path again like in the parade. But this time we could really experience the places more, instead only passing it. And of course taking pictures there.

Prince William and Kate Middleton Barbie figures

We then were heading to Prague, straight directly to the airport. After checking in, we had McDonald's to fill our stomach. Then it really was time to say goodbye. We said our last greetings with KBRI people and hoped to see them again.

I feel very blessed, grateful, and proud to have this experience. I never thought I could achieve my dream dancing abroad as well as to explore new places. This trip is beyond my expectations. Beside those two things, I could meet new people from many countries, young and old, and get to know them and their culture. I hope to see them again in the future and am looking forward to another cultural mission trip! :D

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It's our last full day here. Did we really have to go on the next day? I really couldn't believe it was almost over and going to an end :(. It was our very last performance, and we had to do it three times in a day! Let's do this.

But first, to start the day, we had breakfast. Today's breakfast was quite interesting and I only had one like this during the trip. We gathered with other countries in front of a building. There were only two menus available which are pork bread and doughnuts, and there was only tea for drinks. The highlight was the togetherness we had with the others before we left and we could socialize with them.

With a good looking photographer

With Veronica, our Liaison Officer

First performance was in front of Thun, Czech's largest porcelain manufacturer. We did all of our dances.

There were lots of people came and there was a bazaar too selling merchandises including the famous Karlovy Vary's teapot. The price was affordable and cheaper than those which are sold in stores.

Our dressing room was inside the Thun. We were happy to be able to enter the ballroom. We found out that they were going to have gala dinner or something because it was very neat and nicely decorated. It was so glamorous and I felt I was invited to a ball like in fairytale movies. Secretly we wished we had dinner there.

Thun is just beside Grandhotel Pupp. I just knew it is where James Bond Casino Royale movie took place.

Next, the performance took place at an outdoor restaurant. We performed with other countries and we met the Venezuelans again. So much things happened here as you can see in these pictures.

With Ian, another LO who took care of us when Veronica's not available

We gave another Saman workshop. To make it different and more interesting, we taught the 'Haila Hotsa' part. It was beyond our expectations. Haila Hotsa couldn't be any better than this. It looked so great and amazing! They were happy too they could do this.

With Jozo, one of the LOs. Sometimes he looks like Rupert Grint a little bit.

Finally, here comes to the very last performance of the whole trip. We performed at Becher's restaurant. I was so happy that we had our dinner there. When we looked at the area where we would perform, I was surprised that it was very small. The one Saman line even had to be divided into three lines because it wasn't long enough to fit us. We set our positions and then had dinner. Then it was the time. I was surprised for the second time and this time even more because the audience were only a couple who was having dinner there and the waiters. Is this for real?! It was like giving private show and I was thinking if there wasn't that couple there, it was going to be only the waiters who watched us. The woman was very interested that she took video of us, but the man seemed to be annoyed by our presence. We felt disappointed with our last performance. You know, we just had high expectations that our last chance would be very amazing but we felt nothing special. Such an anti-climax. It was like a joke. I kept thinking about our performance at the festival gala the night before. It was more like a finale to me.

Great dinner. This fish and mashed potatoes is so good!

At the hotel, after we packed, our group gathered at one room to talk and share our long journey we had been through together. It was a very emotional moment with mixed feelings and everything. We shook hands and hugged each other.

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KBRI held their own event here. They opened food and merchandise booth. We were performing for them and it was Saman only.

After performing, again, we were giving workshop. The audience seemed to be more enthusiastic than the previous one. The others who weren't joining the workshop were still interested to watch.

A funny little story behind this picture. So a mother was with this little girl, she put her on stage, and she walked somewhere not far leaving her daughter alone with us. Because of her Asian look and by looking at her mother, we thought she was Japanese. We tried to communicate with this girl, so we said "Konnichiwa!" excitedly, but she didn't respond. Okay, maybe she's Chinese instead of Japanese, so we tried 'Ni hao' (hello in Chinese) but no respond either. Weird. Finally we tried 'Annyeonghaseyo' which is hello in Korean. And still, no respond. Stupidly, we kept trying these 3 languages hoping she greet us back. Instead, she just kept smiling and giving us two thumbs up because she was happy with the surroundings. We gave up and then her mother came. We asked her where she came from. She said she was from Kazakhstan. Well, that explains everything.

In the afternoon, we had a parade with other countries. I was a bit happy because we didn't have to dance, just walk around. The weather was hot but we were having fun. It felt more fun because while walking, we were singing many Indonesian traditional songs.

At night, we performed at the main hall for the gala, which means it was the final night of the festival (Nooo!). But that doesn't mean it was our last performance. That night felt so special because besides we were watched by many important people including Ibu Emeria Siregar and people from KBRI, we thought we did our best Saman dance ever! We heard the loudest applause and cheer from the audience and I felt their energy was transferred to us dancers. We felt very happy and proud of ourselves afterwards. Everything felt so good.

Mexico's performance

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