We arrived at the start of Ramadan. The end of Ramadan is called Idul Fitri (or Eid), which was celebrated last week. Most people take a 7-10 day holiday from about 2 days before Eid until the following Friday or Saturday. Throughout these 10 days, people go visit their kampungs (or hometowns/villages) or stay home and have friends and family visit.
Our helper did a combination of both. Her and her family took a short vacation out of town and now have returned to entertain friends, family and neighbors. The girls and I were blessed to be invited to her home today for a time of visiting and delicious food.
We entered her modest home and sat on the floor while her children brought in drinks, snacks and plates. We were kindly given spoons (but most Indonesians do not use them and just eat with their hands). On the menu was Roti Jala which the girls enjoyed plain and I covered in delicious chicken curry and acar. There was kerupuk bawang (homemade onion chips), telur gabus (cheese sticks), and my favorite Kue Nastar (pineapple cookies). The girls politely tried everything but enjoyed the telur gabus the most.
I enjoyed the time to chat with our helper in her own home during this visit. While I chat with her at our home often, there is something special that happens when someone else invites you into their home. The visit was short, maybe an hour total, but it was worth the trip.