It looks like an ordinary crossroad. But as the sky turns violet and grows velvety; it's magic.
It all starts with my monthly routine of going to Yogyakarta to see my violin tutor. Last week especially, had been a frustrating week, so I decided to postpone my lesson and just strolled around the city. Hint: I was not alone. I brought along my faithful travelling mate (a.k.a partner in crime), Fiona.
Along the way, I thought we were going to spend some time wandering around malls and streets with girly giggles and laughs. Another hint: erase the "girly" and "giggles". We roared.
The afternoon sun was warm and nice. It was around 3 p.m. when we drove across small, bumpy roads, to get our other friend, Yayang, to her practice hall (she is a great cellist, by the way). As we got there, we could see massive rice fields around the building. It was peaceful and soothing (I was thinking of bringing a picnic set and had some sandwiches. It would be perfect). Sadly we couldn't stay long. So we waved goodbyes to Yayang, and went back into the city.
The city was crowded, as usual, as we drove to our next destination, Malioboro. People were driving motorcycle recklessly and there were street beggars in every stops. Guess everyone was out at that hour. Well, we did get lost two or three times but finally we made it! Malioboro! One of the places you should stop by if you are new to Yogyakarta. Ignore the heat, smell of horse poo, and crazy becak; you MUST go there. Tell the world you've stepped on Yogyakarta after you go to Malioboro. That's what I told Fiona by the way.
Since Malioboro is a long and crowded road, either on the main road or the smaller road in front of the street shops, we did not walk all the way from one end to the other. We parked beside Mirota Batik (it was the smallest parking entrance I have ever driven through, seriously, but strangely enough, every car gets pass that gate). Things went smooth inside; we looked around, shopped small stuffs, gaped at the 26-million-stunning-vintage desk clock, smelled some aromatherapy, giggled at the strange breast scrubs, and flipped through stacks of batik cloth.
After buying some chocolates, we went out. I told Fiona that the view right on the crossroad is beautiful, and we should go there. And so we went. The sidewalk leading to the big crossroad is just perfect. Cool breeze blowing to your face, large trees above your head, and bright street light shining. There are some interesting things too; one statue that looks like a pair of feet (only), strange people in strange colorful clothes, and some juvenile teens hopping around, taking pictures aimlessly. As we got there, we crossed the main road, and took pictures in front of the gracefully-lit Bank Indonesia building. I felt happy, seeing so many old buildings still preserved and stand majestically in the middle of all the hustle-bustle of the city.
It was all perfect -until our phones caught little drops of rain. I thought right away, "No, Yogyakarta has never poured its rain on me, it won't." And I was wrong. It was raining hard that evening. So hard. We were running like mad girls. And we ROARED. Yes now you know why we roared. Though Fiona and I thanked the huge trees that held the water from above, it wasn't enough. We turned into two juvenile girls, counting one two three, and hopping from one tree to another, jumping around like chimps after successfully reaching our 'post'. I kept yelling, "Sh*t, sh*t, sh*t, SH*T!" (I'm so sorry, but you can't expect me to say hallelujah in a situation like that), and Fiona kept laughing.
Suddenly, our savior, the blessed ojek payung (umbrella carrier) came and rescued us. And so we didn't swear as much after that. He came right in time! We can't thank him enough. I felt happy. But sad at the same time. I think he just happened to own a huge umbrella and saw us running in wet clothes, then offered his umbrella to us.
I saw his two little kids with their mother, curled up near their unsold goods. Fortunately the large tree is big enough to shield them from that large amount of water. It was not the rain nor the unsold goods that made me sad -I was wondering whether they go to school or not. It would not be enough just to sell drinks to send those little kids to school. Then I regretted giving him only ten thousand rupiahs. I should have given him more. But sometimes in times of anxiety and worries, often, we can't think of others aside from ourselves. We, selfish human. I promised myself as I drove away from Malioboro that if I saw that man again, I would give him some money. That's all I can do. It's frustrating how much things you want to better and yet, in the end, money is all you can give. It doesn't really fulfill my intention. Then I thought, what is so good about having rights and access to everything in this democratic era, when they only 'function' in the presence of money? I hope I can make changes in the future, especially that regarding children who couldn't go to school like the little kids of the kind ojek payung.
Anyway, after that we escaped to Ambarukmo Plaza and spent the rest of the evening there.
It was a fun trip. But on the other side, it's a different trip from many preceding. Yogyakarta has always become one of my escape venue, with only good things, superficially. But it showed me its different side that night. I'm guessing that there would be many others that will follow in my next visits.
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