A Choice in the Harbor

by RAHMADANIA RAHMADANIA (Indonesia)

A leap into the unknown Indonesia

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A Choice in the Harbor I had never been in a very remote area before until I visited Masaloka, a small island in Eastern Indonesia. It was in August 2016 when Syarwan and I got a task from our organization to conduct a fishery survey on the island. My first impression when we arrived on the island was I felt like in a strange place. Some local teenagers were talking outside their home with their traditional language. The moon brightened the village's paths which becoming the main road to connect the villagers and the harbor on the island. The villagers' wooden homes lined up on both sides of the main road. The first home we visited was the village head's home to look for a home-stay. After informing about our survey's purpose to the village head, the old man told us to stay at his secretary's home. Then Syarwan and I came to there. The village secretary welcomed and provided two different rooms for us. On the next day, Syarwan and I started our survey by visiting the home of some fishermen. It ran well until my hand phone's battery was low. When I wanted to charge it, I knew that the electricity on the island was only available on the night. The situation made me realized that I was on a very remote island. The night came. After charging it for about one hour, I checked it and looked for a signal outside the secretary’s home. There was a contract planning for me to go to La Rochelle city, France, as a representative of my organization came in my email. Some minutes later, a new message also came to my phone number informing that I got a job as a welfare worker in one of the social national aid programs of my country and would be the first meeting about it tomorrow morning as well. I was so happy and confused at the moment. Two good news came to me at the same time, and I had to choose one of them. It was a late night to call my mother, so I came back inside the home and told Syarwan about the news. As a friend who knew my family and me so well, he suggested me to prefer choosing the job than going to France. I tried to follow his advice. Then I decided to return to my hometown, Kendari, in the next early morning. At 2:00 a.m., when the villagers were still sleeping, Syarwan and I walked together to the harbor. The wind from the ocean blew our faces and made the waves and the trees dancing in a mystical melody. When we arrived there, I looked back at the village. The village's lamps seemed like candles in a dark room. “It has been about one hour. Are you sure that the ship will come?” I asked Syarwan in doubt. “A society said that there is a ship coming to this island to take any passengers in this early morning.” He answered. “Syarwan, do you think it is the right decision for me? You know that going abroad is always my dream.” I said. “I know that, but please you think about your Mom and family. It’s also difficult to get a good job now.” He answered. “You are right!” I said. With a confused heart about choosing the job for my family happiness or reaching my dream to go abroad, I looked at the sky, trying to find a peaceful mind about my decision. I found a beautiful natural landscape. There were so many stars in different colors twinkled in the sky: red, yellow, white, orange, green, and blue. The stars seemed like diamonds in the dark space. As long as I looked at the stars, I thought that my choice would bring more colorful adventure into my life in the future. “Well, Syarwan, when I arrive in Kendari, I will tell our friends in the organization and France about my decision!” I said without any doubt. About 30 minutes later, the ship arrived at the harbor. After giving my farewell smile to Syarwan, I entered it, leaving the island, leaving all my dreams to go to France, and expecting there would be a better opportunity for me to travel abroad one day.