I LIKE THEM

"A friend may be waiting behind a stranger's face" -Maya Angelou

Strangers. When we were younger, they are people whom you shall not speak to and 87,24% of chances are freaks. As you grow up, they turn out to be 87,24% cool (the rest remain freaks) and humans you share story with. For some reason, lately we seem to find each other more than ever, despite the fact of my social-life-less situation and I can't be more thankful for it.

From a picture book aficionado in Jambi to an Icelandic puppeteer, from a passionate community artist in the slope of Merapi volcano mountain  to a Basel based architect surfer, people whom I never imagine exist are now something I can call friend.  I annoyed them with curiosity and in return they pleasantly fulfil it with pure awesomeness

Well, for some people it might be no big deal or something that they expect because they are constantly travelling; but it's a different story for me. As much as I love what I am pursuing for living, I must say it is consuming: time, energy, money, and social life wise. But again, which dream does not?
So I do travel but not very often and not very far but randomness has been an accomplished matchmaker. Things such as an overdue work, summer fling, puppet workshops and even a tweet has been a vehicle to the stranger city that is just next to the new friend village. It always excites me listening to first hand stories about habits, history, and basically life from places that are nowhere familiar. Sometimes I find them unbelievably surreal but more often just jaw dropping and knowledge piling.

Last week I received a much desired book from one and enjoyed semur jengkol with another. Both happened in the least expected moment which in fact, doubles the fun. In this tiny bubble of mine, having the opportunity to be connected and inspired by floating friendly strangers who just happened to fall on to my lap is such a breeze to this crazy heat of ambition.

P.s So sorry Time magazine and influential people but also thank you.