Having been working in such culturally-diverse environment like the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission has exposed me to various kinds of cultural-exchange showcases. I’ve been invited to many of commemoration of national days, held and arranged by colleagues coming from different countries.

A variety of customs and traditions were then introduced to me, as the culinary art.

I began to learn more about Indonesia when I joined the mission in Liberia and was fortunate enough to meet my friend and housemate, Luigi Pralangga. It’s been more than two years that we share the same house now. He is a great conversationalist and I often inquire about his way of living back home.

Though I am not able to speak a word of Bahasa, I mimic sometimes his ‘’Turus Turus” in his phone conversations with the relatives and friends home. I must also say that for the first time in my life I managed to cook rice properly and to know exactly how much water needs to be added for different types of rice! Well, yes, I come from a country (Romania) where rice is not our staple food. I am now able to appreciate the dishes he cooks, although I don’t always agree with the spices he adds onto those pots and frying pans. J

In general the food is hot and burns my tongue for sometime, however I could not help but wonder that such great-tasting dishes he cooks takes quite considerable time to prepare, I guess it is really worth the time.

The Indonesia’s Independence Day commemoration this year was held at our place, few days ago. On that particular evening, the only Indonesians present were Hilman Hadi, the commanding officer of the Indonesian Military Observers Team and Luigi himself. One member was on home-leave and another compatriot was unable to come to Monrovia.

Many guests showed up, enjoyed the evening program and though it was not like those 5 star-hotel-dinners, I heard lots of compliments towards the culinary presentation. I guess all the hours they poured in to cook those dishes really made a difference and spoke for the food.

This has been the second time around I was invited to Indonesia’s Independence Day celebration; these photos below were taken on the same occasion in August 2005. It has surely given me a better understanding towards history and people and the fact that Indonesia is a great nation, through the individuals I happen to encounter in the UN world.

Thanks guys, I have learned a lot from you!