First Day in Tacloban: The Beginning of an Unforgettable Journey

A Tiring But Memorable Day

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My first day in Tacloban marked the beginning of a truly memorable adventure. I arrived in the late afternoon with my friends and our lecturer. The airport atmosphere was calm, and we were warmly welcomed by Ma’am Lillian, the SEA-Teacher program coordinator, who personally came to pick us up. Her presence immediately made us feel appreciated and cared for.

The journey from the airport to our accommodation took around 2 to 3 hours. Along the way, I observed my surroundings and was pleasantly surprised by how familiar everything felt. The streets, the buildings, even the general atmosphere reminded me of Indonesia, specifically Jakarta in the old days. The public transportation here was quite similar too, though they looked a bit different. Most people relied on public transport, and it was rare to see motorcycles, which was quite interesting.

Before reaching our destination, we stopped by a local restaurant called “Jolibe,” which turned out to be a popular spot here. The food was simple but delicious, maybe because we were all so hungry after the long trip! We chatted, shared stories, and of course, took a few photos to capture the moment.

When we finally arrived at our accommodation, we were greeted once again, this time by Ma’am Corla, the Dean of SLSU, and her husband. Although I was feeling exhausted and sleepy, I greeted them warmly. But what truly surprised us was what happened next seven SEA-Teacher students who would be our companions for the next month were already lined up, holding welcome signs and smiling brightly. Their cheerful expressions instantly made us feel at home, and I was genuinely touched by the warm welcome.

I had expected to stay in a dormitory with other students, but to my surprise, we were assigned to stay at the President’s Cottage of SLSU. The place was clean, cozy, and fully equipped. Everything we needed had been prepared for us, including halal food and kitchen supplies. I felt incredibly grateful for their attention to our needs and how well they treated us from the very beginning.

After introductions, light conversations, some group photos, and creating a Messenger group chat, our new friends left us to rest. I began unpacking and organizing my things, then prepared to take a shower. Unfortunately, the water wasn’t running. I later realized there had been a notice in the group chat saying that the water would be turned off at 10 PM but I missed it. Luckily, I managed to find a little bit of water in another bathroom and used it sparingly to freshen up.

Before going to bed, I called my family to let them know I had arrived safely. We had a short chat, and then I quickly went to sleep because we had to wake up early the next morning for the Pinning Day ceremony.

This first day was full of surprises, warmth, and gratitude. I’m excited for the experiences ahead and can’t wait to share more stories from this amazing journey. Stay tuned for more😇!