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This Ship was pushed inland by the great tsunami that struck
Aceh several years ago, nos a Museum Piece
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My memories bring a year's back to my visit to Banda Aceh in Indonesia. I really appreciate the opportunities given me by East-West Center in Hawaii to participate in their Summer Institute on International Humanitarian Law in Bali, Indonesia. This field trip to Aceh was part of this program. So when they offered this as an addendum to the activity I immediately applied. I was pretty sure that I dont want to miss this occasion of visiting a wonderful place of which several years ago occupied the headlines because of the tsunami and the subsequent peace agreement beteween the rebels and the Government of Indonesia. I've read so much about Indonesia and I appreciate its diversity. from end to end you see a country so vast with different cultures and subcultures. No wonder the founding father of Indonesia adopted the philosophy of Pankasila - Unity in Diversity. For no one can really unite this archipelago except for a philosophy of unity that would bind its people. Aceh has has seen some separatists movements and the later part was more bloody. But fortunately after the tsunami the rebels and the government went into the negotiating table to talk about autonomy and self-rule.
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| The Party Offices of the Ruling Party in Aceh |
The photo above is the party offices of Parti Aceh. We did some focus group discussions with its leaders during our visit. The itinerary of our visit was so hectic and we only had three days of field trip. We were so tired but I did my best to keep awake as I did not want every moment of my stay in Aceh escape my attention.
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| The Capitol Building of Aceh |
We did visit also the government house in Aceh. We had a dialogue with the vice-governor who himself was a former rebel. After the Peace talks he was elected into various offices.
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| The Grand Mosque in Aceh. The Acehenese People are staunchly devout Muslims. This huge and impressive structure provides inspiration and becomes a source of pride for the people of Aceh. |
The people of Aceh are devout Muslims. I had wanted so much to enter the mosque during Friday prayers but I was not able to get inside since the guard won't let me in because I am not a Muslim. We stayed outside for a while and listen to the sermon. After the services were over, we were then allowed to get inside. I was very curious because I have never been inside a Mosque, having lived in a predominantly Christian environment, I never had the opportunity to be inside a mosque. But I admire how the men and women of Aceh love and respect their religion.
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| The Streets of Banda Aceh are wide and clean. It is a small city and in less than a day anyone can go around the city. Motorcycles are popular means of transport. |
There is also a dress code in Aceh. Islamic way of dressing is enforced by some form of local ordinances. I think I have no problem with this. In fact how I wish there would also be a dress code in our country. I
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| Motorcycle is a common means of transport for both men and women |
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| Some Morrocan Inspired Architechture |
How I wish I could visit again this beautiful city.
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