Samarkilang, An Unforgettable Journey [1]

_{it's not a far far away water fountain to reach, Tembolon, Samarkilang}

Hello there My Fellows Hivers!!

This is not the update story to tell, Just a memory to share with the community. It's a travel My husband and I took in 2022, the first time I went back to hometown after 6 years living in Pamulang, Banten. I have had an invitation to join a class of 1990 reunion (it's a middle school level😆) in My hometown, Lhokseumawe. It was in January, and the same time, The Director of Katahati Institute (a local NGO where I still hold the Secretary of Board position) also invited me to join their team project in Samarkilang, Bener Meriah.

_{The main street of Kerlang, a village where we stayed for 3 days}

The Village is not a new village, but according to the village leader information, the villagers supposed to live across the bridge before, they're resettle by the government during the vertical conflict between the Acehnese and the Government of Indonesia (1976-2005). I did know this place since 1995, when I was an university student and doing The Community Service Program, but I was allocated to a different part of the district. I can say that it was the first time I set my foot on that place and of course I don't have any expectation about the place in my mind. One thing for sure, all houses there have a washing machine even though the clear water is a big issue for them. They do have a big wide river there, but no water purifier company existed. Well, the weather is not too hot or too cold after all.

_{The old bridge built by the Indonesian Army Force which connected the village to the other district, East Aceh. The Villagers was living somewhere in the wood at the other side of the bridge before they're resettled to Kerlang, Samarkilang}

To reach for Samarkilang, We need to go to Bireuen District, about 59,3 KM or 1 hour trip with the bus from my hometown. Then I waited for the team who came from Banda Aceh (the capital city of Aceh Province). So, they're coming from the west, I came from the North and we're heading to the central or highland, Central Aceh. While waiting for the team at the meeting point, I made time to meet my old fellow co-worker at Aceh Information Commision (2012-2016) the good and smart man, Belated Mr. Hamdan Nurdin (i have another story to tell about him later)

_{We're invited to have a delicious lunch at his house, Mr Hamdan wearing his Kofiah because he just had his midday praying before he fetched us at the bus station, that moment was the last moment I spent with him alive😢}

He, then took us to the meeting point, it's a coffeeshop in the famous and crowded street in Bireuen, where the team from Banda Aceh had arrived and having their lunch. We waved goodbye and I never imagine that was the last moment I saw him, because I supposed to meet him once again, but I missed it.

After lunch, loaded the bag to the cars and we were all set to go. We spent about another 2 and half an hour (92,2 KM) to reach the government center of Bener Meriah. After having bought all the supplies we need in Belang Jorong, we drive straight to Kerlang for about another 2-3 hours. The only way to reach there is the under-construction's road which give you some sensational experience because it's too quiet, tricky and there are not many dwellers along the way, it's a contrast to the name of the district, Bener Meriah means really lively. Since it's my first time, I was trying my best not too talkative during the journey.

_{first dinner with the team at the village's leader house, oh we paid some money and brought some supplies for our consumptions as simple as we can, so we won't raise any bad comments from the villagers.}

What are you doing there, Cici? What Project? I'll post another part of the story later, I have to stop here. Praying time for me and I'll close this post with something related to the next episode