“I didn’t know I was adopted. Although my adoptive mother is Indonesian-Dutch, I always thought I didn’t resemble her. When recently I was tidying up the basement, I found documents from an orphanage in Sukorejo, a village in Central Java.” Nazier had known his roots were in Indonesia, however it was his mother’s birthplace Surabaya in eastern Java that would always come to mind when thinking of his origins. “I’m not angry with my mother, but I would like to know who my real mother is and why she left me. Maybe she was too young to take care of me? If I were to find my family in Java, there would be the risk of them asking me for money. They think we’re rich.” Every year, Nazier goes on a holiday in Java. “Recently, I went to watch the sunrise on top of Mount Bromo. We had to start climbing at two in the morning. I then came up on a donkey, didn’t feel like climbing. Do you have any idea how far up it was?,” he laughs. “I feel like a real Antwerp citizen, I’ve been here for more than forty years. When I’m there, people talk to me in Indonesian, but then I have to disappoint them. Sorry, I don’t speak Indonesian! My mother did teach me some children’s words, but later she didn’t want me to get involved with the Indonesian community. “Very recognizable!,” I say, being half Chinese myself. “For example, nakan means to eat, nakal stands for naughty and with selamat tidur you wish someone a good night.” Nice to be able to exchange similar experiences. “Terima kasih, Nazier!”

 * Series for 2060 My Hood (7/9)