When I found out last year that I would be spending the following year in Indonesia, I began researching about the country. One of the first things that I found was the main mode of transportation would be motorcycles. While this excited me, it terrified my mother. The next thing I knew, my mother had bought me a motorcycle helmet in America and insisted that I bring it with me to Indonesia. My Indonesian friends still make fun of me for bringing a helmet halfway across the world, but what can I say? It makes my mom feel at ease so of course, I did it.
Mainly, people ride motorcycles. Starting at the age of 17, teenagers can apply to get their license. Most of my students ride to school by themselves on their own motorbikes. For students who are too young to drive, or for people like me that are just too scared, there are two apps called "Go-Jek" and "Grab." These apps are similar to "Uber" except that it's with motorbikes in addition to cars.
The first time that I rode on my friend's motorcycle, I wrapped myself around her, and I held on so tightly!! I'm proud to say that I am now much more comfortable on a motorcycle and can have a leisurely conversation with the driver while we ride around the city.
