Much to his mother’s dismay, ETA Nicholas Navin does not particularly enjoy eating mushrooms.

This changed, however, when the mushrooms are cooked by Nicholas’ students and become nothing short of delicious.

Following the hectic final exams, MAN 1 Payakumbuh enjoyed a more relaxed period of various competitions and activities before school let out for December break. By far, Nicholas’ favorite day was when three students from each of the 10th and 11th-grade classes were tasked with preparing a dish using mushrooms as the main ingredient.

Many classes fried their mushrooms, while others cooked them in soup, made sate skewers or even turned the mushrooms into meatball-like bakso. Not only was this day morning of snacking and taste-testing for Nicholas, but it was also an interesting look into another aspect of Indonesian school life beyond the classroom and studying—an aspect of fun class competitions that were not present in Nicholas’ own schooling in America.

In addition, as many students were out in the courtyard cooking, participating in other competitions, or just milling about, this was also a wonderful time for Nicholas to chat, hang out and interact with the students, and of course, practice baso Minang (Minang language). With each bite, Nicholas confirmed that the students of MAN 1 certainly do know how to make mushrooms into dishes that are lamak bana! (very delicious!)

Nicholas Navin is currently teaching at MAN 1 Payakumbuh, West Sumatra.