There will always be the first time for everything.
The beginning of the year of 2020 has provided the opportunity for us to we learn, adjust, and re-calibrate our priorities in life when the pandemic struck. Many, if not all of us, have been impacted by the horrifying spread of this virus at the alarming speed.
And that makes us embrace the novel ‘virtual’ tradition.
As many of us are observing social or physical distancing, work and or study from home, and even lock down or isolation, we now use the virtual platforms more often. And that includes the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr this year.
For the first time ever, at least for me, I celebrated this auspicious day in Jakarta, without going back to my parents home in Lampung or celebrated it away from Indonesia with my petite family. For the first time, I celebrated Lebaran day through video phone calls and had the Eid prayer at home led by my hubby. And for the first time ever, together with my dearest Local Guide buddy @Radjasitanggang I hosted the virtual Halal Bihalal or the Eid Reunion meeting to celebrate the Eid Al Fitr together with Indonesian local guides, particularly the Jakarta local guides. I am indeed honored and really appreciate the support given to me and Radja (who helped me tremendously since the preparation) as well as @RahmatHarmanP for this event.
‘Share your Eid story’ is the main theme and we gathered with many Indonesian local guides from various cities in the country. We even have our dear friends from India joined us briefly.
So right at 8 PM, we started our meeting and we welcomed everyone who joined us on that virtual meet ups. We were all excited because that was the first meet up for the celebration of Eid hosted by Jakarta local guide for this year. Many of us have been in self-isolation or restraining from gathering with the crowd. So you could imagine how happy we were to see each other again, even though virtually, after all these times. we offered apologies for all the wrongdoings and mishaps in the past so that we could start brand new days.
Then we continued with the theme where everyone who would love to share their special stories were welcomed. In total, we have more than 30 people telling us their special story during these special days, even during the holy month of Ramadhan and during the pandemic. We cried, laughed, teased, giggled, worried, appreciated and got anxious and concerned, just to hear the stories, the jokes, the tips & tricks dealing with all the events surrounding Ramadhan, pandemic, and Eid Al-Fitr. We even shared more serious notes on the ‘new normal’ which will be coming.
We cried and got teary eyes when @RiaLyzara and @AnikSetyawati told us about how they missed their family terribly. Mba Anik even had to be separated from her beloved husband. Since they couldn’t go home, they relied on the warm friendship and intentions from the local guides big family. We heard the story of @MasDinnu who was ‘forced’ to take the rapid test because he was suspected to be infected by coronavirus due to his works (Thank god it was negative). We admired Teh Rina @Tehrina and Jendi @JendiRatuKado perseverance and spirit to survive and address the challenges they faced with their business during Ramadhan and the pandemic, including by continuing the home-made products and trying mom’s recipes to get more delicacies and people’s favorites. It was not that easy at all but they remained optimistic. We heard some handy tips and tricks on dealing with stress during the pandemic from Pak Erwin @emuniruzaman and work from home during Ramadhan and Eid from ayah @ifauzi . While Arief @Ariefpokto shared the sadness of not being able to travel around as we used to. The same feeling shared by many if not most of us Local Guides. Pak Budi @BudiFXW one of our senior Indonesian Local Guides, shared some inspiring activities he did during this hard times and it was amazing to hear how active he was in contributing to Google Connect! Then Septi @ns_septi told her constant struggles as healthcare personnel even during the Eid in dealing with COVID - 19 issues at workplace as well as at home and reminded us to obey the health protocol with no excuses. More dreadful experience came from Mas Dawo @tfkftrhmn who had to bring his kids to the hospital in the middle of the pandemic. And all in all, we also shared tips and learned from one another some handy tricks to face the ‘new normal.’ I can go on and on with more stories from @ddimitra @devidepay @dinitelmo and others. Apologies for not mentioning each and everyone of you because it is indeed limited LOL.
Along the way, we had quizzes with various prizes from the hosts from beauty hampers, e-voucher, fresh beverages, and the grand prize of dining voucher at five-star hotel in Jakarta! Everyone got excited for sure! Again it is token of our gratitudes for everyone who had joined us in that virtual meet-up. For sure more virtual meet-ups are coming and just wait for that!
You see… COVID-19 changed people’s lives and we all had to dealt with that. even the auspicious day of Eid Al-Fitr has to be dramatically adjusted, without reducing its solemn meaning and our deepest gratitude towards everything that happened.
Million thanks to Local Guides (and Google Meet obviousy), we can share these beautiful stories with everyone.
The friendship and family ties are real. Local guides help and support one another in times of joy and more importantly, in times of troubles. And that’s the beauty of this community.
It really warms up my heart. And hopefully yours as well.
So nothing else to say, Eid Mubarak!
Stay safe, happy and healthy.
Wherever you are!
tapi kerjaan udah beres tinggal selesaikan beberapa laporan jadi gabung via GMeet yang tersambung headset bluetooth. Pun dalam kondisi suara yang terbatas yang awalnya males cerita jadi pengen angkat cerita juga 
eh malah terpilih jadi penerima beauty hampers yang sangat komplit. Terima kasih banyak untuk setiap hal yang disiapkan 
