It’s the last night of my trip, and the last week has been so busy I haven’t had a chance to write so there will be days of thoughts to fill in, but suffice it to say for now that the trip has been a memorable experience.

Indonesia is a country of contrast. From leaving the ice cold dry air conditioning of a car to the searing heat and humidity outside. Luxury cars, vans and SUVs driving side by side with beat up cars and mopeds. Hundred year-old houses turned into mansions on one street, while on the next a make-shift shelter is made from scraps of wood and sheet metal. Everywhere you turn here you see both ends of a large spectrum.

Before I left my home in Vancouver, I was ready for a vacation, for a break from the busy-ness of daily life, a chance to refocus my attention and energy. I knew I’d be spending time with family, but I didn’t realize just quite how much – I also didn’t realize how much out of their way they all went to make this trip possible.

I’ve now seen much of what I’ve heard through stories from my parents. Places they grew up, people they lived with, the city, the food, the smells, and the heat. I’ve also seen first hand how my family takes care of each other and how much they do to make their visiting family feel welcomed and well taken care of.

Nearly three and a half weeks of a pretty packed schedule has created clear and vivid pictures to words and names that were meaningless to me before. Boro Budur, Ubud, Bogor, sate kambing, pesang gorang – monuments, cities, temples, activities and foods, they all mean so much more to me now.

I’ve learned some of the Indonesian language and have found it to be surprisingly harmonious and flowing. The people are generally friendly, and genuinely so. The landscapes are beautiful. The artwork, creative and intricate. The food has made my stomach upset, but my taste buds happy. The weather is hot, but….well, there is no but.

For all that I’ve enjoyed and experienced, the one thing that I’m coming away with more than ever before is how much I appreciate and value the life I’m returning to at home. I’ve missed a lot from my life, but I also have a newfound perspective on what I want to cherish now that I’ll get it back.

Simple healthy foods. Fresh vegetables and fruits. Tap water. Whole grain bread and my Red River cereal in the morning. Being able to walk on a sidewalk and cross a street without worrying about getting hit by a stray car or moped. Seeing a slow sunrise or sunset. Clean fresh air almost everywhere I go. Activities that keep me strong and healthy. My friends.

I’m looking forward to returning to life with this new appreciation of everything I’ve experienced and everything I have.