Novara - A Complete Halal Guide

Assalamualaikum! 

Hi guys, my name is Kai. and I am a muslim, as you might notice from one piece of clothing called veil on top my head which I'm very proud of.

Coming from Indonesia, the third world largest growing population nation with massively 80% of Muslim population, living there as muslim is very easy. We have halal food, halal cosmetics, we have mosque everywhere, we can pray everywhere. But, moving across Europe where I am minority, is a bit challenging. 

But, wait. Is it hard? I tell you absolutely not. Challenging but not hard. 

I have been travelling across country where Muslim is minority since 2014, and with my travel skills and a bit of courage, I will break down in this Novara halal guide *insert cheesy music*.

By this blog post, I want to credit my knowledge and courage to my dad, because when I first started traveling abroad, my dad was always with me giving me clue what to do. And  he build knowledge, endurance, confidence in me. Thank you abi! And I want to thank Profetik Study Club, which I learn a lot about halal in the college and also the halal certification process and training back then in my office job which makes me know a lot about the halal stuff. 

First thing first, before started, I want to remind you something my brother and sister fillah. 

Allah knew the best for us, and believe me the practice itself is not gonna make you suffer, dont worry. 

Novara for Muslim

In general, Novara is a welcoming city with 100,000 population and 8,000 immigrants. It has quite a lot of muslim populations, you can see a lot of people wearing hijab basically anywhere so if you think you will be alien, you won't don't worry. Another thing about Italy.. Italy is one of the biggest Catholics country with 79% of  its populations, when I am going around Europe, the country that is more religious (not mentioning any religion they are ties to) they are more tolerant when we practice our beliefs. But if you are in the huge populations of atheist like Prague or Budapest, some of people might shows different tolerant. But you just need to get a grip of it, and let it go. 

A Complete Halal Guide

#1 Food

I have been travel quite a bit before going to Europe where muslim is minority. You need to remember that people did not really know what does halal means. And halal means nothing to do with them at all. So if you are asking for halal logo on your food, your meat, your cosmetics, you will fine none.

So how do we ask people is it really halal or not? Should we set up the whole interview?

For me, the easiest way to find one is asking is it vegetarian / vegan or not (actually vegan is the safest) and contain alcohol or not. By asking those 2 questions, you can assure that particular food is halal.

Why? Because vegan means there is no any animal derivatives in the product at all, but in vegan world its still possible to contain alcohol, so we ask the 2nd question.  

Actually when I was in bachelor degree I was in a club where I studied the halal-ness of product and I also involved in halal certification in my last company. So I have a bit of knowledge about this stuff. There is something called halal criticality on the product we consumed, its actually more complicated than you think in this modern society. A lot of levitating agents derived from pig, etc. So when you learn a bit more about the criticality, you can actually asked more specific question and inspect more specific things, but in case you feel like its not a cup of your tea, then its okay as well (for no brainer, vegan/vegetarian side + non-alcohol will always works).

I can give an example, in biscuits they will use emulsifier and levitating agents, these 2 agents can use pig derivates, so when you buy biscuits you can inspect what kind emulsifier and levitating agent they use, etc. In pre-made Tiramisu they usually use alcohol in the product, you can ask if they use alcohol or not. By understanding the criticality of each product it will be very easy to live in foreign country, and of course you will not feel isolated because you feel like there is nothing you can't eat. Remember being muslim is easy, you just need a couple of weapon called knowledge.

a) Halal Meat in Novara

Halal meat (chicken, cow meat, turkey, halal sausage) can be bought in Halal Macelleria around the school or Pakistani Store near the school, sometimes they are also avaiable in Carrefour or Penny Express (with halal logo on it), but my favorite is Macelleria Hasan near university: https://g.page/islamic-mini-market-alementari-n?share. They sell very good and fresh meat and they sell halal german sausage and home made bread as well if you are interested. 

There are actually some places as well, you can just type in google maps "Halal Macelleria" and some of them will pop up. Macelleria in English means "Butcher's shop". 

 

b) Vegetarian / Vegan Stuff

Actually I barely buy meat, I more into vegetarian/vegan stuff. If you are like me, you are most likely love the supermarket named "ALDI" the most. They have the most amazing vegan/vegetarian stuff started from meat ball, fake meat, etc. They also have very affordable mushroom which is my favorite thing ever.

ALDI location: https://goo.gl/maps/XNvYmHCvCh7zV5XE7

ALDI is our favorite place to buy groceries, they are affordable, well located, good quality and have a lot of vegetarian/vegan substitution to complete your meal.

My vegetarian groceries from ALDI!

Another groceries store :

1. Conad City (https://goo.gl/maps/41rQU2D8G7o5aiCS6)

2. Carrefour (https://goo.gl/maps/YcPtqNBptHQf1vv16)

3. MD (https://goo.gl/maps/SGXBkLt5rdmEvRdt5)

4. Penny Market (https://goo.gl/maps/Um41L4VSv6eiaWHE9)

5. Esselunga (https://goo.gl/maps/Ropf9m2qeVqQRQt58)

Pre-made stuff which is halal

In Italy its quite easy to find pre-made instant food which is not made intentionally halal, but it is halal. My favorite is Gnocchi (made from starch), mozzarella ball (this one is so good, you just need to oven them), or stuffed pasta or (Pasta Ripiena). My favorite is stuffed pasta with mushroom or spinach and ricotta, they are very-very good. 

this one is very good, they are affordable as well. 

 

I just realized that I am very lucky to be in Novara where I can always find a place where halal food is available, when I went to Slovenia - their food is heavily meat-ed. The only vegan place that I can found is the one that is owned by an Italian which is closed on sunday. On the sunday, I can actually eat beef because I have no options but they serve it with pork on the side which my heart say "no" to that particular options I have. Then I decide to just buy fruits from market, and to just eat in Zagreb, Croatia. It was very crazy because I am actually starving but I realized that I am not gonna die to just skip a day meal because we use to fast. 

When I went to Prague, there are a lot of Asian food so I have more options, in Budhapest, they have Kosher options because there are a lot of Jews which on the Kosher (Jews rules on eating) pig is also haram, I feel way better to eat there. But in Slovenia with limited food options makes me realize that living in Italy as a muslim is a blessing. 

c) Eating in Mensa (Canteen)

"Mensa" means Canteen! If you received your mensa card or matricola number, congratulations now you can eat in the mensa (canteen) with reduction price. It only cost 1,8 Euro for the full meal in the canteen. 

But, can we eat in the mensa? Yes, sure. Mensa will always have non-meat options. So, don't worry! Actually Northern Italy food is not heavily meat-ed. Actually there are 2 mensa (canteen) in Novara:

--> The big mensa (lunch and dinner), which is located here: https://goo.gl/maps/pjhcET1jMfnYNJfQA

--> The small mensa (lunch only) which is located here: https://g.page/novarasviluppo?share

Everyday they serve different foods, but there are some different between small and big mensa.

In the big mensa, you have more options: 

1) Regular meal (which is consist of Tris: first plate (primi), second plate, vegetables, dessert) --> in this regular meal you can see the ingredient from the list and you can check. 

If Im not sure I will ask them, 

the simplest - elementary school way is by doing this --> Pointing out to the meal and ask, "Questo (this one), con carne o senza carne? (with meat or without meat) its usually always works and they will explain Con means with, senza means without. If it contains meat, just drop it of by saying no when they ask you if you want it.

  

Regular meal in the big mensa (Tris or three menu). They have vegan burger which is my favorite.
The canteen lady can not speak English. If you are very not sure, just ask "Vegetariano?" or "Vegano?"

 + pointing out the menu served. The water is free flowing. 

2) Pizza. Remember in some of the pizzas they have prosciutto in the pizza (and prosciutto is from pig, so its haram ^^). But you can always take : 1) Margherita Pizza (with cheese and tomato) 2) Pizza con Verdure (Pizza with vegetables on top and cheese) 3) Pizza con Tonno (with tuna which is my favorite). The canteen lady will ask what kind of Pizza you would like to have, so you have that 3 options. 

2 slices of Pizza with vegetables and tuna (with soft drink and yogurt for 1,8 Euro)

By the way the pizza in the mensa is so good, you have to try!

3) They have Pokebowl and Salad with Tuna, just in case you don't feel like having regular meal and pizza.

d) Gelato and Sweets

Gelato most of them is halal, except the one with alcohol. But sweets! Be careful since a lot of the pre-made one like tiramisu or panna cota (the cheap one from supermarket) they are not halal (they have alcohol inside), always inspect them before trying. 

Alcohol in Italian is Alcool, if you find the ingredients with alcool inside you can drop it.

But most of tiramisu from the restaurant, they are actually without alcohol. You can always ask, so don't worry.

                                         

Tiramisu without Alcohol - Fra Diavolo (https://goo.gl/maps/11UZrRqCTXTWECex9)

e) Halal Aperitivo

When you go to Italy, you will see they have sweet cultures called aperitivo. Usually people going out and having like drink (usually wine) and small side dish, it is happening aroung 17:00 to 20:00, that one is called aperitivo and its usually pretty affordable like 5 Euro.

How to enjoy aperitivo since we did not drink alcohol? Dont worry they usually also have non-alcoholic drink and also vegetarian side dish, the non-alcoholic drink usually mixed of different fruit juice. Or if you like you can ask for cola, but try the non-alcoholic aperitivo, its super nice.

The place where you can find "Non-Alcoholic + Vegetarian Aperitivo"

'Halal Aperitivo' Non-alcoholic drink + Vegetarian food - Il Broletto (https://goo.gl/maps/WPzUPgCVmCJxELJt8)

f) Halal Restaurant in Novara

Italy actually very muslim friendly country in terms of food. When you go to any pizzeria you will always have options. They will always have food without meat, and most of the time they write down the ingredients. 

Unlike when you are in South Korea or Japan while they always mixed their ingredients with some pig derivatives XD LOL sorry, but that was my experience.. here in Italy they are very muslim friendly. Sometimes they dont even use butter to cook. Only salt, olive oil, pasta and tomato, very halal.. isn't it? 

Everything is fresh, basic, good quality raw materials, artisan, home made so you can ask for the ingredients (well most of the time its already written down). The thing that might be a bit tricky is alcohol, but you can always ask. If you say, is there restaurant that have halal options in Novara? Yes, most of them have one. 

But, lets talk about places that might sell meat that you are craving for: chicken or kebab. 

If you are craving for some fried chicken there is a place that I always goes to called "Tasty Food" they sell halal fried chicken and other stuff (https://goo.gl/maps/VYF7bXecLqLSnANU8). 

Fried Chicken in "Tasty Food" you can buy only chicken (Solo Chicken) or Tutto Menu (whole menu with Soda and fries).

The Kebab Places that I recommended, the best one is actually near university "Marakech" (https://goo.gl/maps/kxq9zW3imfgYEkmFA). You have to try the roasted chicken in this place, which is very-very good. 

the Okay place that I keep coming back is the one near the station called "4 Brothers" (https://goo.gl/maps/HpVjwA2nuoymCyLP9).

My friend said Istanbul have the best kebab but I never tried "Istanbul" (https://goo.gl/maps/m35X78u8frahKdL67). 

The price range from 7 Euro - 8 Euro for full menu (dont be shock as Novara is not as cheap as you might think xD). 

g) Asian African Store

If you are a big fan of halal certificate logo, you can always find product in the Asian store. There are quite few Asian store in Novara, and you can find products from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia or South Korea from Asian Store.

As you know that Asian food use a lot of vegetables and also use more spices, make sense because we grew spices. you can actually find spices, tasty vegetarian stuff which is halal like affordable tofu, rice noodles, nori and halal stuff in the shops.

There are few stores near the station :

Asian African store #1 Haiyi (https://goo.gl/maps/1EVVLM2xJcAwwAv36)

This is the most frequently visited store because they are very complete, they have everything, and as usual chinese place is always the cheapest. It is located across the train station. The downside is sometimes there were bunch of guys standing infront of the store door and look a bit shady, you might be hesitant to look inside, but you just need a bit of courage and enter the store.

Shin Ramyun (Produced in South Korea) with halal logo. I think this is the one they exported to Indonesia and Malaysia.

 

Asian African  store #2 Tuttotuo Minimarket (https://goo.gl/maps/7yjxcT2Jfqb2KNz9A)

They have slightly more expensive prices but they look way cleaner, in line, the owner is very nice and they also sell meat in the market. It is located next to Haiyi. 

Asian African store #3 Atlas (https://goo.gl/maps/t654bV8SWCfcyjm86)

This one located near university, they have some stuff that the #1 and #2 market did not have.

h) Partying

As you might be like me with no "Partying cultures" at all, you might find it difficult to in corporates to the partying cultures. Well, yup, you can always come and bring your own food and drink (the non-alcoholic one), I usually bring peach tea and lemon tea from carrefour which is nice and white potato chips. Remember, no one will force you to drink alcohol, not a single drop, so relax and enjoy the party. 

#2 Praying

Where to pray? Actually we pray anywhere. There is actually a mosque behind university, during autumn its possible to pray there because the schedule is possible, but during the winter it is a bit hard because the day is getting shorter.

a) Mosque Behind University called "Centro Islamico di Novara"

Located here : https://goo.gl/maps/WdVGDQ56EHuCAKmDA

But this mosque will be open only during the prayer time. Remember to bring your own prayer set, and ask the mosque member to open the "Woman prayer place" since it is located in the left side of the building (it is located separated from the man prayer place and not always open all the time). You can have wudhu here, they also have heater and AC, its actually very-very nice place to pray. 

I was deep inside my heart a bit crying because they do adzan and I never heard it for 3 months, it felt nice to be 'home'.

As you might know because of the schedule and winter time the day is shorter, so its harder to go to the mosque on time during the prayer times because of the lecture and everything. So, we pray where?

b) EMOTION Common Room

EMOTION Common room is actually a safe place for you to pray. Bring your prayer matt with you have wudhu so anytime it comes to prayer time, you can always pray there. 

c) Empty Classroom. 

In many occasion we pray in the empty classroom, since EMOTION class room is the dedicated classroom no one will abruptly coming to this class except the class member. Thanks for the best classmate ever they dont mind for us to pray in the classroom. 

d) In the park (yes we do). 

If we study in the mensa we have no place to pray, except the park, yes. This is what I always do when traveling back then in Japan, and I always encourage my friend "Its okay to pray in the park", "Come on, people can get naked why we can't pray for one minute," Yes I do say stupid but make sense thing so I do not care to pray in the park, in fact nobody care about you. People might stare at you but actually Italian is very acceptance, never single episode in my life they kick me out or say anything. Bring your prayer matt, nothing will happen, it will always works. 

me and Israa taking turn to pray in the corner of the school (its an open space). 

e) In the Vehicle (Bus, train, etc)

If you go to a place that feels like its not clean enough or you hesitant about the cleanliness, my advice is just pray in the vehicle.. do not pray in the open space (this is what I experienced back then in China, Paris and some cities in Italy), if you dont have time to go back to place where you stay, or constantly moving, you dont have much other choices.. Because sometimes people didnt really care about their dog poo and its just everywhere, you can smell that the road stink with pee. I didnt trust places like this. Hop on the tram/bus/train and pray there where you are on it its way better than missing it out. 

One most important rule is, you are a traveler in non-muslim country. So always have yourself ready for praying because the opportunity sometimes did not come twice (have your wudhu, bring your prayer matt). When I went to Lugano, there is an empty spaces near the lake my instinct says this is the perfect time and place to pray, so I asked the girls would it be okay for me to pray there and they say okay...  

f) Finding Qibla

To find Qibla, I usually use this app called "Qibla finder" https://qiblafinder.withgoogle.com/intl/en/desktop

g) Praying Mat

I recommend you to bring one the water resistant praying mat with you as Italy is 4 season country and as you might pray in the park, the praying matt will be your savior. 

#3 Fasting and Celebrating "Ied" in Novara. 

Italy has its own ulama organization centered in Rome, so timing / started of the fasting time will be announced by the Grand Mosque of Rome (Centro Islamico Culturale d'Italia - Grande Moschea di Roma), where you can find the information? Using facebook group. Unfortunately most of these mosque information you can only find in facebook. So joined one!

Any announcement regarding --> Fasting --> Ied --> anything else will be announced in this facebook group (The facebookgroup: https://www.facebook.com/centroislamicoculturale). 

They recently also open the instagram pages : https://www.instagram.com/grande_moschea_roma/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Example of the facebook announcement in the Grand Mosque Rome

But, you need to remember in case of the prayer time, Rome and Novara will have different timing because they are more to the mid-south of Italy, we are on the North. To have better information on that you need to joined the Milano Moschea (https://www.facebook.com/moscheamilanosesto) and Torino Moschea facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/CentroTaiba). 

If you want to know how much is the different, I will give you the comparison:

1) This one is in Turin

2) This one is in Rome

As you might notice that in Turin maghrib is 20:57 in the first of August, but in Rome 20:30, so its like 27 minutes different, so make sure you pick the right timing XD. When you are fasting if you put "Rome" time you will have shorther day, welp, dont do that XD.

Celebrating ied is possible in Novara! Yess!  Where?

If you think Novara have small muslim populations, you are wrong XD, when we gather together, we are actually a lot. Usually the prayer held in the yard near MCDonalds near university (you hear me right, MCD), you need to come at 07:00-08:00 before the prayer started and bring your own prayer mat. 

Praying location : https://goo.gl/maps/rmN4QHsoKEQaDJdy8 

Walk to the field behind MCD and you will see policeman (polizia) and people preparing the prayer there. There is a line to separate man and woman. Btw,  The police is always there but dont worry they dont do anything. 

In case of ied adha, the community will provide you with cold water and snacks which is very nice. My advice is dont go to McDonalds afterwards because its super crowded. Everytime Ied is celebrated that MCD has 1000% of revenue XD.

If you want to have more "mosque" praying experience you can always go to Milan or Turin because they have grand mosque there but you need to come early in the morning, which possible for Milan but a bit hard for Turin since Turin is a bit far.

#4 Clothing

I want to say something about clothing, especially for summer. Welp, I dont find a  good quality hijab friendly clothing that will makes you survive in very hot conditon  for summer. I think since Indonesia is very hot, we have a lot of innovation in our fabrics. We can have long sleeves and stay cool. Its about the fabrics XD.

Actually I bought one clothes for summer which is not cheap like 30 Euro, but to be honest, it was bad. It was easily crumbled (I feel like using not ironed shirt), It was hot when I was using it, the size is too big for me, the cut was not suits me, its just makes me feel unhappy and I feel like to just drop this 30 euro shirt.

I wonder maybe that's why people here like less clothing because they dont have a very good fabrics that suits for summer. Actually I thought it was only me but no, there was a Vietnamese tiktoker complaining the same thing about European fabrics which is not very good for summer. I think all the SEA people can relate. But well, I have an options to buy Aerism Series in The Uniqlo its just The Uniqlo in Europe not affordable at all. 

But luckily, I have one week sets of clothing for summer (no actually its my daily clothes back home) which is suitable for this weather. So if want to bring clothes from your home country, I recommend to bring summer clothing than winter clothing because we have that "summer technology" way better than here.

Another thing I will mention is hard to find hijab, you can find one in the bazaar by pakistani or Indian seller, but in the normal store you can use scarf as alternative.

As, again Indonesia is very innovative in clothing, also in hijab I owned a lot of instant hijab, that I can use it without any hardship for 2 second! Very stylish, very cool, you dont need to iron them its always ready. And ofc here you will find none. The hijab materials here is also not for summer for sure, so bring your hijab that suits for summer from your home country. and bring some instant hijab as you will always need it :

a) bring the light one to use at home, in case you are travelling or there is a guy coming your house (because everything is quite mix, you might live in a girl only house but you might have guy visitor).

b) bring the formal instant hijab for daily use is very useful. 

I personally bring 6 instant hijab. 4 for formal, and 2 for daily use. I have one which I always bring during travel, because its super cool, super light, very nice. 

Another I can mention as Indonesian is very windy place, very crowded we always use pin and broches to secure our hijab. Unfortunately its very rare to find people that sell both. I bought my pin in Padova's market, and I found none of the broches that I like, because they barely sell any.

So if you always see me using the same stuff, not only because I was a minimalist, but I also find none. 

Okay, that's all the small stuff that I can write down to you as a halal guide

Everyone have different way of processing and doing stuff and this is what I do. I was not a saint so I might type something wrong but Allah knows for sure I have tried. I hope this is helpful because figuring out by yourself is maybe hard. 

So have a pleasant journey as minority group in Novara, always be kind, be respectful, remember to be respected you have to be respectful. 

Remember we are not doing any harm to practice what we believe, and so does others. You just need to put a mindset that other people did not know what you are practicing, believing, so do not feel disrespected when they ask something about Islam ^^ (feel happy about it and do not let yourself down).

I wrote this down, because I want you to hold a faith because being a muslim is in fact very easy. If anyone have anymore question just DM me on instagram.

Assalamualaikum!

A minimalist Decision Making

 It’s been quite while since I became a minimalist. 

Witnessing how far I’ve become.

Actually I’m really proud of myself, 

Comparing my new minimalist self to my old-self that full of stuff that makes me unhappy, now I am much more lighter and happier.

It’s been the whole journey, and long process.

Quite sometimes ago I decided to buy a new hand bag, because my current handbag is 7 years old and it has some sign that the bag is coming to and end 😂.

That black Anello Brand Bag that you will always see in my picture was a gift from my Sister back in August 2016. So this exact month and year will be the 7th years anniversary.

The most interesting thing since I decided that I will become a minimalist, I never buy any handbag for the whole 7 years. 

Wow, I’m able to do that. Yes I do. 

With a lot of exercise in this journey, now it’s easier to shut down all the advertisements that flashing through your eyes.

Back to the handbag topic..

While walking through Italian street during my “short holiday”, I have one exact mission. To buy a new Italian handbag before leaving this country (because they are so good in craftsmanship for years so I need to buy one from Italy).

Being minimalist, people have some miss conception. People think we didn’t own stuff, we do. People think we will look for the cheapest, but this is absolutely not correct.

According to my own minimalist journey, as minimalist you need to look over quality than quantity. You need to imagine yourself using the same stuff for 5 years. You can’t get tired of it, when you see things you want to buy you have to have this sparks “I want to use it, now!” “I can see using it with different occasions” “I can see myself using it in 5 years”. When you don’t have that sparks, personally I will just drop that stuff. I will donate it if just incase with my impulsiveness I brought it (and yes, I also made bad decisions). When I have new stuff I didn’t use it immediately usually after passing 2 months I will dropped that stuff, because 2 months is the limit, I don’t have that sparks, so basically I don’t need it.

After working hard and saving quite sometimes, I desperately need to find a bag. But it was not easy. I need to have that sparks. I have some criteria in my mind but durability is number one and also it needs to have a zipper, can hold stuff (because most of the European handbag just cute but some of them can’t even hold your phone 😌😂), color neutral so I can use it with any outfit and travel friendly. I tried really hard to look in the website, in the catalogue basically everywhere.. but its hard.

Buying stuff as minimalist is hard. To decide which one is the hardest.

I don’t know why in Europe they usually didn’t have zipper for the leather handbag. Europe is not that save (I mean I almost got robbed so many times) why you don’t put zipper in the handbag that’s didn’t make sense😌😌.

With the one month in Italy reaching its limit, I made decisions maybe I just buy one from any brand that exist in this world, not an Italian one.

Reflecting The Year

My year in Europe started in September 2021

Started by me dragging my dad 20 years old suitcase, with luggage full of foods, small pockets money that I have been saving from years of work, and with a little prayer that I will not get lost along the road.

You know in this life expectations will always kill you, always. So I don’t have any expectations. 

In my head I was replying a scene when Tere made me breakfast when I went to Ferrara, she cut the fruits and stopped at some point when we nod together that in any continent “Human being is still human being wherever they were”. We are all human.

The first reflection would be : in this world there is so little thing we can control. 

Like I want to go to Milan by the train, I wouldn’t know that the train will gonna break down or not, I wouldn’t know there will be a creepy guy that stalk me from Busto Arizio, I wouldn’t know that I will be stuck in Amsterdam Airport for hours due to Plane strikes and almost transiting trough London, I wouldn’t know my visa documents will took me 2 months until its all ready. 

Nothing in your controls. Like nothing.

In a series of Happiness and Joy, I also have so little controls about it. I wouldn’t know that I will got 30/30 for statistics which I was struggling in bachelor degree, I wouldn’t know that our trip to Santorini is one of the best trip ever, I wouldn’t know I can have a lot of friends in Europe and really connect with them etc etc.

When we stop having expectations, its easier to live. Desi always said I was the most positive person ever, but it’s not that actually I don’t have expectations, so you can’t actually hurt me. When I complain its superficially (and I still work really hard LOL) I never take it personally because this is world and it will always disappoint you, it  is how it is. 

Like Rose blackpink song, “On the ground” This year I realized that I always on the ground. I was really firm already with this life and I am emotionally mature about expectations. 

Well, I’m still human being and expectations is normal, especially when you actually sacrifice so much stuff for that. I would never said I can’t have expectations.. I can and I do. But in order to sustain living, I will keep it in moderation. It is just because when I have high expectations, I will be easily hurt. So better not to.

Like Murphy’s law: If something can go wrong, it will. 

and probably it will always go wrong.

When I reflecting stuff again.. 

Do something ever happen smoothly  as I wish? 

I think, nothing. 

When I was appointed to gave valedictorian speech on the Graduation day, I was  not expecting I will do that because I refused to deleted one of the B mark on the transcript which is an optional course. Deleting the B mark will gave me final 4.00/4.00 GPA which is Summa Cumlaude. But on top of my head, I like that B subject, and I feel like I can use it somewhere later (so I need a proof that I take it), and I don’t care about being valedictorian. But I did. It was out of my control because we have dozen summa cumlaude.

When I went to South Korea for a solo trip, I found so many halal restaurants and eat chicken and meat like in the drama. and I meet very friendly group of people which makes my trip very enjoyable which is out if my controls. 

When I went to China, there was a huge taifun and I think Im gonna die, but I didn’t. 

There were times when I think Im gonna die, but I didn’t

So to wrap up the first reflection, I think my harsh life has shaped me to be stoic, and it helps alot.

Second Reflection - Time is not coming back

Actually I was a person without ambition and I never see myself in a spotlight like “I need to achieve this or that”, “I need to be a leader, I need to bla bla”

No, no

You know I just want to be a bear. I just want to have enough money to see a polar bear. 😂😅 

But, I have firm work ethic (I think because of my dad), that I will try to give the best effort when I do stuff because otherwise it’s a waste of time.

I am a human so I have so little capabilities, but ‘just whatever’ it’s not on my work ethic. And actually you can do a good job in a short time when you have a good time management. 

I don’t have time,

I said it so many times

it’s hard to say but it is an excuse 😂.

I did so many thing in my bachelor and it’s a bit tiring, so I was like “Im gonna rest, I will not do anything, I’m okay”

But, I was then come into realization that this time is short and the job market is saturated. 

If I graduate doing nothing, I will be a blank paper. At least I need to connect with people and do stuff.

The time will not coming back. 

I was keep postponing to do stuff, until the ecosystem is push me in ;)

being in a circle that is actually actively doing stuff is helped me a lot to be productive and not create an excuse to slack off (well actually I need to help myself 😂)

Pancakes is a wonderful ecosystem. Een has a fulltime job, Desi created content and she got so many PRs, Israa have classes, two masters going on and skincare club, and Vale went to the lab!

They created their own pathaway already, and there was me.

So after couple months with nothing, I try to get a grip of myself. Okay I need to do something meaningful aswell.

Desi helped me to land to the part time job that I was in, I tried to apply for the volunteering organization (which one of the interview was done in Paris McD - Thanks Yoce, Evi, Raissa for being patient 😂). 

I remembered, I almost  did the interview walking 😂 or in the corner of Paris street because it was in the middle of the night but they were kind enough to and forced me by saying we can stop by somewhere for your interview. 

When I looked back, How if, I didn’t travel with them? Who the hell gonna be patient with your freakin volunteering interview in the middle of winter holiday?

The most beautiful thing is they didn’t judge me too because “you are freakin ambi” no no. Solid ecosystem, thank God. 

Then, after a while, I have a job, I volunteer, I help my friends organizing events, I write paper, I go out, I travel to so many places so may countries every single weekend, I sleep, well.. it’s possible. 

I need to sacrifice some stuff but when I look back, I did okay. 

The impossible thing is probably priority 😂. I still work on that but I realized I keep making excuses for myself which is not good. 

You know Allah won’t help people unless they tried it themselves. I always tell people that what meant for us will be for us, but we need to knock the door😉. If I do nothing how I will get something, I was just making an excuse.

To sum up, my ecosystem makes me sustain doing a favor to myself. I will keep it. I will try to enjoy stuff so I don’t feel like it’s a burden.

 

Third Reflection - Travel Planning Skills as The Most Useful Ever

For me travel and broke it’s not an option. 

If you are broke you can’t travel. 

Because for me.. life is not as romantic as instagram reels that said, “I will got my money back but not this time”

Well its technically true, but like a very famous book psychology of Money. They sell you stuff by playing with your emotion. 

Its a brain tactic, and I have enough I’m not gonna buy that. 

But, I did travel planning for audit for the past 4 years. I knew how to look for the deals, enjoy stuff without being broke, is it possible? It is because in the company eye you need to be efficient and effective. 

Is it enjoyable, yes ofc😗. Are you broke? No. 

Planning is the the key, to be honest. 

If you are going in 2 weeks hasn’t book anything you basically will spend way more money than when you book something way earlier (especially in the high season).

We got a deal from Santorini to Milan for 9€. So it’s possible. When we went to Paris for the first time we stay in 17€/per person/night hotel which is super cheap. 

So from September 2021-now I went to: Paris twice, Rotterdam, Lisse and Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Zurich, Venice, Padova, Naples, Rome, Aosta, Turin, Milan (was not counted), Vienna, Lugano, Ferrara, Bologna twice, Orta, Garda, Maggiore twice, Como twice, Belaggio, Athens, Santorini etc etc etc. 

I was just realized that the audit planning skills its very useful and safe me bucks. 

To sum up: I enjoy planning stuff,

Oh, one thing about traveling! I try to be more stoic when traveling.

In Europe the countries are small (Im shocked 😅) so to get around is very easy, and I just realized how big is my country. 

I just realized .. that was the reason why the colonizer wants to break us so badly.. its due to the fact they can’t accept we live priviledgely in the equator with 17 thousands islands 😂😂. With all the sea, the beach that they enjoy the most, the soils that can grow anything, whatever happen in this world we won’t starve and we won’t die due to the cold.

It’s about a journey not an accomplishments. It’s about learn something, meeting people, get into culture and trying stuff and realizing stuff.

This is also gonna be my forth reflection- Indonesia is the most previledge country ever.

Well, I love Luxemburg LOL.

Because of the war, Europe is energy crisis and they bought the Coal, from where? Indonesia. Indonesia will help European trough all these energy crisis because they were 4 season, they need a lot of energy especially in the winter.

I drink cappuccino every morning, where did the coffee come from? Indonesia.

Europe has biofuel crisis, why? Because Indonesia stopped selling them the vegetable oil. Biofuels use mainly in industries, so when you didn’t have it the supply chain will broke and a country can collapse.

When I was here, I never think I will appreciate my country more than ever.

People always long to go the beach. For me I was like, “I can always go in 30 minutes”back home driving from home, and its like a private white sandy beach because we have so many beaches which are so beautiful. 

But here, place near the beach is freakin expensive 😂😅 (it’s always the most expensive place). Then I realized that I live in the most expensive place ever according European. Which now I feel grateful for.

Back home I have a huge garden which we always eat from the garden.. fresh spinach, fresh buttermelon, chili, papaya, orange, we have everything 😂. I always eat fresh stuff straight from the garden so its hard for me to eat the frozen stuff, even the fishes is straight from the ocean and when we buy them some of them still alive.  We have harvestmoon life which is now Im very grateful for. 

Indonesia is not perfect, but we won’t die starving or cold. We didn’t need to be worried every single winter that the gas prices gonna be increased. 

and actually we also blessed with Melanin which is now Im very grateful for. Europe now is freakin hot and my melanin is helping me to protect my DNA so I will be the forever-young-Asian. We are blessed. We do. We need to see the world so we won’t feel inferior.

Another thing is, Indonesia has growing population where every single country almost got their population system depleted. I think this is due to the social construction in Indonesia which is I think a bit different than any other country. We also a huge muslim population, is there anything to do with the growing population? Yes, we have firm marriage system and tawakkal (We just taking part in this world by doing the best, God will do the rest) in life so people more eager to have kids. 

Now at this year, this points of life I’m so happy that I was born in Indonesia. I don’t care if they called us third world, they can say so. 

I was thinking that those naming stuff is made by envy.

Remember back then you came to us looking for spices because it’s cold, now its cold again because you guys dont have the energy, the history repeat itself. But we are there just there, we can survive. 

On the way to Florence 23/07/2022

First year of EMOTION with a lot of EMOTION

But I am growing as a person and I’m super grateful to people that I came across the way this year. 

Pompeii and All The Live Lesson

Pompeii was not the oldest thing I saw, because stuff in Greece were way older that Pompeii. But one thing that I knew after visiting Pompeii is that, I didn’t knew anything about the past. 

It was really fascinating to see the people in 1 AD has lived in very modern life, way modern that we predicted.

With all the thermal baths, entertainment area, fast food restaurants etc.

When I saw the fresco on the wall, which was very detailed, colorful, well done, something that crossed my mind is that .. well people in current day think they were modern enough and people in the past was not modern, but it might not be the case.. because we knew very little from the past. 

There might be different compared to these days, but we might be also the same. 

What do we knew then? Nothing. 

People already predicted that Syphillis was brought by Collombus expeditors but in fact it was already exist since Pompeii, 1 AD. By the fact the twins sibling that was casted has defective teeth that was sign of syphillis.

All predictions, history, story whatever might be wrong because in fact we knew nothing. 

It was very mind blowing. 

Pompeii as God Scenario

I personally think most Muslim and Christians believe that Pompeii was a part of “God scenario” to preserve those that was not obeying the rules, so we can take lesson from them. 

We all know Pompeii is a sinful city, even for people nowadays using ‘western standards’ it is still not very acceptable (they put some warning for the content and move the sinful stuff in the special exhibition building), and most of the sinful stuff was also relocated in National Archeological Museum in Naples because it was in appropriate.

In Quran and in Bible, the scene of Pompeii is reported. That they were all “preserved in one blew”. It was correct, and mind blowing again, because Pompeii was not find until 1700, and they were from 1AD, but the Holybook already written about them long long time ago.

When I was there one archeologists said that, “The people in Pompeii was knew that there will be a disaster but they think they were gonna be fine because the wind shouldn’t blew to this direction (to the villages), so when the disaster happened actually it was because the wind blew in the ‘wrong’ direction, and they were all casted in one single blew.”

For me Pompeii is like very “religious experience” because all the scenarios was too complicated, to perfect to be just a coincidence. And it was preserved perfectly.. without Pompeii we never knew that in 1AD they were that modern in their house and the way of life.

Pompeii was preserved, and as believer I do believe that scene was just too perfect, to intentional, to be just a coincidence. 

I was thinking “Do we have another explosion that cast the whole city perfectly like pompeii after pompeii?” 

No we didn’t.

It was intentional.

Pompeii was intentional.

It was a warning to not glorifying the sin.

Extra: I kind a thinking how if God was not casting Pompeii, and their practice spreading like it was normal. This world might be full of that strange stuff, because there is nothing in this world nowadays can compete with pompeii strangeness not even Amsterdam red light district. imagine. 

Not Really How to Napoli: The Chaotic Naples

Napoli or Naples is one of the most famous tourism site in Italy. I was there, because of Pompeii. If you knew in Quran there was verse about Pompeii. Pompeii is very similar to Luth Prophet story, or in Bible they called it Sodom and Gamora. Even we didn’t really know who is the prophet at that time, but definitely I’m going to Napoli because of Pompeii. 

My friends warned me about Naples. They said “Don’t go there, It’s dangerous”. But when I went there, I knew it was different for the rest of Italy but it was okay (well honestly I have this mindset because Athens is way worse than Naples, so nothing can shock me anymore). Ok without further do Lets jump to the travel stuff directly..

Solo Traveling and Timing

For those that brave enough to go alone, hats off. But just for your own convenience, better go with friends at least two. Just because Naples can be very intimidating and confusing, some alleys is really narrow and dark so if you are with friends it is way better.

The best timing to go to Naples I think during June-July period, because it is not so packed with tourists (it’s affordable) but you also have enough sun to go around at least until 21:00. We are lucky now the sun set at 21:00, so when we stroll around until 20:00 the sun still there, the alleys was not dark. And to be honest we were never go back when it’s already dark. We make sure that we went back around 20:00 when the sun still out.

Naples's alley. Its okay to walk with friends, when the daylight still there. But alone? Not really fun,

Where to stay in Naples?

I think everyone will tell you that staying near Garibaldi Area is the worst. And I think that’s true. That busiest area is packed with people, not the cleanest and looks shady to be frank. 

Due to this information we have before. We choose to stay in a Bed and Breakfast 1.2 km from Garibaldi Area, and the neighborhood was super fine and the road is not shady . But when we went near the Principe Amedeo station, honestly the neighborhood is wayy better. It was super clean and not shady, if you can find something near that station, better to stay there. 

How much to stay in Naples? We are really worried because the price of the room started sky rocketed due to the “summer vacation coming up” but we are lucky to find this B&B called “Napora” it cost 17€ per person per night, it’s super clean, private bathroom with AC, self check-in, free 2 bottles of water, refrigerator, TV, 1.2 km from Garibaldi station and only few meters from Duomo Metro station. It’s pretty strategic and not shady neighborhood.

The beds are bunk beds but no problem because it is super comfortable. They have different kind a room so if you are going to Naples, Napora is very recommended.

How to get around 

From and to the Airport

From Naples airport you can take "Alibus" for 5€ (remember to bring cash) and you can buy ticket directly in the bus. The bus will stop at Garibaldi station and other stop, remember where to drop yourself off. To go back from airport, you can take the bus from Garibaldi station, the schedule in google is accurate but remember each bus will do the loading-unloading passengers for 15 minutes, so the bus that schedule 15:15 will leave garibaldi at 15:30. Remember that Naples street is chaotic and traffic jammed everywhere. In fact you will need 40 minutes to 1 hour from the bus leaving garibaldi to arrive at the airport.

   

Getting Around Naples

You can walk. We actually walk like a lot. But you can also use metro for 1.1€ for line 1 and 1.3€ for line 2. Remember that each lines has different tickets. Because line 1 is operated my ANM (the local company) and line 2 is operated by Trenitalia. We just found out this stuff when we buy the ticket, don’t get confused because we were also very confused.

If you are going from Garibaldi, you want to buy the metro ticket you can go to the Piazza and buy in this yellow box “ticket seller” you need to tell them which one do you want. M1 or M2. For M1 you can also buy ticket from the self-service ticket machine that looks like a box. There are 2 kinds (the one that accept only cash and the one that accept only card). 

If you want to store your bag, you can do it here. This one located in Garibaldi (Across the road, downstairs)

The M1 ticket looks like this: 

And the M2 ticket looks like this:

Before boarding you need to validate the ticket. The ticket valid 90/140 minutes after you validate the ticket. Remember changing lines mean changing tickets! You can also take funicular to certain museum/attractions, this map might be useful:

Going to Pompeii + Other Attraction

From Naples to Pompeii there is train that will take 50 minutes. You can buy the ticket online or in the ticket machine. In the machine there were 2 thing “Pompei” and “Pompeii”, this is very confusing so we asked the information about which one and they help us to buy the ticket. So maybe maybe online is easier.

From naples to Pompeii cost only 2.8€ and the train is super nice with the coast line as the view during your journey. The Pompeii ticket enterance is 16 Euro.

Remember that no one sell water inside pompeii so better go to the nearest Carrefour before walking inside. It is super hot so bring your shade and sunscreen + comfortable shoes. You will need 3-4 hours to explore the whole complex. You can buy the ticket beforehand or on the site.  

Other attraction we enter is "Napoli Aquarium" it is small but I like it, it cost 6 Euro. The other one we enjoy like the pier, the beach, etc its all free. 

What to eat in Naples

For those “Local specialties” hunter you might hate me and my friend because we basically eat what is available, halal and we like it. (We actually not really care about specialties, well we tried some stuff but it wasn’t priority). So you might want to look somewhere else about local food in Naples. Naples is food heaven for people because they have so many different stuff. 

We tried the famous fried stuff: Fried pizza that looks like fried bread with ketchup that is very Indonesian , fried fish and fried mozzarella which is not bad. Well it’s actually good.

Pescheria Azzura which very famous

We tried Sfogliatella and Baba and Sfogliatella is legit very good, we eat that for breakfast for 2 days straight. I tried the other pastries like their cornetto with cream and its super good, it’s better than the one in Novara because its crispy but not flaky if you know what I mean. Each of passtry cost 2 Euro and cappuccino also 2 Euro without table fee. We shared one pastry each days, so we spend 5 Euro in the morning.

We tried the local lemon bibite, which is so good. This is the best lemon carbonation drink that I ever had in my life and it turns out they use the real different lemon and orange extract. This one is very recommended. 

My friend try the local juice/smoothie, we also bought some milkshakes which is I don’t know where to find in Novara which is very very good. You need to also try they sell some “cold coffee/chocolate drinks” which is very rare in the north at least in Piemonte.

Anyway in the first day we eat crispy halal chicken in Indian restaurant and the chicken is so good + they are affordable (crying). We also bought samosa the vegies one and the chicken one. The guy is so nice because he ran for me that left hand sanitizer on the restaurant.. I can’t thankful enough so if you go to Naples and craved for crispy chicken or Indian food you can always go to this restaurant. 

We only eat late lunch or dinner, for the chicken each package is 6Euro (Fries + chicken + cola), we try more stuff but we just spend on average 8Euro or less for each meal for each of us. 

Naples pro Tip

1) Dont expect people will speak English don't be surprised, on one breakfast the guy ask me something which I didnt understand at all but I know he ask me do I want to eat there. So I am just blurting Italian words I know, it helps. every time.

 

2) The bar guy said never leave your phone on the desk.

3) People might clean your table before you leave, or speak without expression but it doesn't mean they were mean. You know how people living by the sea ... they are different, yess.. and that's how they are.

4) Mind your life while crossing. No one will stop for you (I think this one in common for the place with heavy traffic jam), the trick is always cross with locals.

So How Much Naples Trip cost? 

1) Flight back-forth from Milan : 18 Euro

2) Hotel : 17 Euro/night

3) Food : 5 Euro (Cappuccino + Pastry), 8-9Euro (Meal)

4) Attraction tickets : 16 Euro-6 Euro

5) Transportation ticket : 5Euro (airport transfer) to 1.3 Euro (Metro)

I spend less than 100 Euro for the whole trip. This trip is leisure trip so we didnt think to save money (we didnt cook, we drink cola everyday LOL and buy sweet drink when we want), so I think less than 100 Euro is good enough with total spending around 30 Euro/day including accommodation. If you want to spend less, you actually can! Naples is very affordable for holiday.