Mudik

Mudik (sometimes also known as pulang kampung) is an Indonesian term for the activity where migrants or migrant workers return to their hometown or village during or before major holidays, especially Lebaran (Eid al-Fitr).[2] Mudik stands for Mulih Dilik ('Coming Home') which comes from the Javanese language. Although the mudik homecoming travel before Lebaran takes place in most Indonesian urban centers, the highlight is on the nation's largest urban agglomeration; Greater Jakarta, as millions of Jakartans exit the city by various means of transportation, overwhelming train stations and airports and also clogging highways, especially the Trans-Java toll road and Java's Northern Coast Road.[3]

The primary motivation of this homecoming tradition is to visit one's family, especially parents. However, people might seek to come to their hometown during this period to attend a rare opportunity: a gathering of members of the extended family, the seldom seen relatives that are normally scattered in other cities, other provinces or even overseas. Mudik for Eid al-Fitr, or its similar traditions, exists in countries with Muslim majorities, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan.[4] Other similar annual homecoming traditions are also observable in various parts of the world, including Chinese New Year in China and Chinese overseas, Thai Songkran, Christmas in Europe, Divali in India and Thanksgiving in America, where family members are expected to come home during these specific holidays.

Collocations Get stuck in the traffic = can not move because there is a traffic jam I hate being stuck in traffic  A travel itinerary = the route of the trip I want to travel abroad (v.) Domestic travel (n.) I travel back and forth to somewhere (= go between 2 places many times)   I live in Spain, but I travel back and forth to England twice a year.  I like to travel light = I don’t take many suitcases with me

Phrasal Verbs To get around = to move around (a city) I get around my city by car most of the time.  I tend to move around by bus, it’s really cheap and convenient. I typically walk everywhere. I live in a small city so it’s easy to get around on foot.   I don’t like driving because there are too many cars. It’s congested = too many cars = a lot of traffic jams There many cars in the rush hour (= peak time people go to work) Cars are bumper to bumper (=close together and so cannot move) Infrastructure (n. / uncountable) = roads, buildings, bridges    It’s a nightmare = a terrible thing Pedestrian area (a pedestrian is a person who walks) Walking is so easy and a pleasure because we have so many pedestrian areas.

Delays when travelling I get (on) the train to Wales = take / travel by train The hassle of driving = the stress and trouble  I was held up in traffic and missed the flight I missed the plane = I was late and didn’t catch it It was a disaster = a terrible thing I got my money back in the end The following both mean arrive well before the necessary time Arrive in plenty of time   Arrive with time to spare  

Idioms about Transport  My wife is a backseat driver = someone who doesn’t drive, but tells the drive how to drive! At last, I am in the driver’s seat = to be in control  I got to the train station in the nick of time = just in time We made it to the airport on time by the skin of our teeth = just managed to do it (often meeting a deadline) It’s already 6 o’clock and time we hit the road = to leave / start a journey   I have itchy feet = I love travelling / I want to travel I have to get up at the crack of dawn = very early  

Transport in the future  I suppose electric cars will be more popular I suspect cars running on gas will be a thing of the past Electric vehicles = without gas or petrol   With climate change getting worse, more and more transportation will run on electricity   Everything is going in that direction   Driverless cars = cars without a driver Hire a car = rent a car Licences will become redundant - we don’t need them anymore  Manual cars = cars driven with a gearstick (opposite is automatic car) A pain in the ass = a big problem   When it becomes mainstream - popular in everyday usage  I might start using a driverless car, when they become mainstream It would make all the difference = it would have a big impact  

What type of transport is very popular in your country? It’s a good question. I think, in my country, I mean talking about England; probably the trains are one of the most popular kinds of transport. Lots of people like to take the train, the inter-city rail system. It’s relatively cheap although, unfortunately the trains are notorious for  (= famous for something bad) being late and I think that lack of punctuality is a real downside for catching the train. Despite that, it’s still a very popular way of getting around the country.