Lauren Hardie is indeed not an Indonesian woman, but she loves Indonesia to her bone. So, I will write her story here, together with other #PuanIndonesia.
She traveled to Jakarta the first time in March 2010, 30 years of age that time, Lauren became a Yoga teacher in Kemang. She hardly knew anyone. One afternoon, she walked to her homestay, “The sky was gold. It was surreal because I have never been in a Moslem society before. Then, I heard the prayer call, it sounded soooo glorious. I was like gasping. Hoaaahhh…. I held my breath.” Lauren told herself, “Indonesia has captured my soul.”
It did not take long before Lauren finally decided to stay in Indonesia. Her plan to travel the world had shifted. She was planning to travel around Asia and Europe for the next two years, then go back to USA.
Lauren sent the words to her parents in Malibu, USA. Inevitably they were stunned. “Well, I told my Mom, if Indonesia wants you, you don’t have the power to overcome it.”
Now, eight years later, Lauren teaches Grade 6 and 7 at HighScope School in Jakarta. “They are not kids anymore but not yet adult. I love them.”
She had been to many places, her favourite is Tangkahan, Leuser National Park area. The “distance” between Jakarta and Tangkahan for Lauren is just like Jakarta to Bandung. So close. Swimming along the Buluh Tangkahan river, trekking to the woods are her energizer. “I have been here for 12 times these last two years.” Lauren and her partner now are building a house in Tangkahan.
In Tangkahan, she befriended nine elephants. She kissed Ardana, one of the pregnant elephant. “I feel like we are sister, I am pregnant too. Me and Ardana are preparing for motherhood.”
