On Homecoming (and Leaving), Jakarta to New York
The author reflects on returning to Jakarta for Chinese New Year after a long absence. The familiarity of the city and the warmth of family reunions evoke deep emotions and memories. Despite years away, the author feels a strong connection to their roots and the people who share their heritage.
- ▪The author arrives in Jakarta just in time for Chinese New Year, feeling a mix of nostalgia and excitement.
- ▪They participate in a family reunion dinner, showcasing their cultural knowledge and familial bonds.
- ▪The experience highlights the author's connection to their heritage and the realization that leaving home did not fragment their identity.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Scenario 1 I land in Jakarta just in time for Chinese New Year. I can smell the cigarette smoke and rain before the plane even touches the tarmac; my body retrieves memories faster than my mind can process them. I move through Arrivals in an easy forward motion: smile as the immigration officer says Welcome home; flag down a baggage courier, tip him a green bill; rub off the chalk from the randomized Customs check. Relish the anxious fanfare of Arrivals, absorbing all that anticipation behind the railing as if it’s just for me. It does feel directed at me, this honeyed reception. Everything is so familiar. The low-ceilinged terminal, the warm red beams. It’s like I’ve stepped into the grand, warm house of a wealthy relative, where noises and syllables click automatically into place.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Literary Hub.
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