From Mediterranean region with its Roman ancient civilizations to the wonderful canals of Venice, the path of my journey took me to an amazing small town located in Alps, a place whose breathtaking view provides massive look of two hills. A journey as solo traveller that took me to meet other backpackers and gave me a chance to sleep on the train station.

Rome sweet rome
Rome greeted me with its warm weather. In fact, the sunshine brightened my days in this country. Apart of the enjoyable sun, to my surprise, the motorbike riders reminded me of Jakarta with its millions of motorbikes. Seemingly, the nice weather also supports the riders to go around the city.

After almost one hour ride with bus from Ciampino airport to Termini train station, a main destination of budget airlines, I came to realize that I needed to get a hostel. LP, my travel bible offered some options and I chose Pop Inn Hostel located exactly across the train station. I was really surprised with the price, gosh the travel guide is right, it’s one of the most expensive city for travellers, the room rate of a hostel I got was way higher than other European cities. Since I had no other options, I tried to book for just one night and looked for other places for cheaper rate, but the others like Yellow hostel was fully booked. As a result, I moved to a cheaper room on the next day.

Being a solo or independent backpacker, I would be more than happy to meet other solo backpackers. It was in the afternoon, after trying to get some rest I met an Australian backpacker who agreed with me to explore the city together. With free map provided by the hostel, we walked along popular routes to see the ruin of one of the oldest civilization in the world from Trevi fountain where I threw my coin, Pantheon, night market, riverside and many more. The city looks fabulous at night.

It was continued for two days when I met a congregation of audience in Vatican, almost ripped off by an Australian woman who said the organized tour for Vatican museum was 40 euros for students and it was a very long queue to get inside though I ended up paying only 8 euros. The woman was apparently pissed off when I and my Aussie friend refused her offer. The Vatican museum was so huge that I spent four hours only to enjoy the collection. The other day was spent with a visit to Colloseum and Roman Forum and Palatine Hill where I was impressed by the enormous architecture of Roman empire, it was totally awesome.

Few things that I noticed, Rome surprisingly has lots of Indian man selling souvenirs and run business ( I saw one running laundry business), the gelatto ice cream is superb and made me addicted hence I bought it twice a day with different tasty flavor, the pizza is worth a try, and the souvenirs are abundant with cheaper price.

The city of gondola
A train took me to the city, known with its gondola, with a night train from Tiburtina train station. I tried to find a bus going there but it was not on that day. Having planned not to stay in Venice, I decided to put my 45 Liter backpack in the storage room. After going to the ticket booth, I was shocked that the train going to Innsbruck was fully booked. OMG, it seemed like a disaster. I quickly changed my schedule and bought a ticket of the train that left early in the morning at 5.30 AM. Yes, the only suitable option is to sleep on the train station. Fortunately I brought my sleeping bag.

When the sun rose on this city, I realized that Venice is more than just amazing, it seemed that every part of the city is beautiful and enjoyable. To help my journey, I bought a 12-hour ticket of waterbus for 14 euros, the most expensive ticket in Europe. The travel guide is right once again, this city is the most expensive one.



Going around the city made me able to explore the city, enjoying the grand canal, the labyrinth of alleys, the piazza, and even spotted an spectacular sunset there. When it was almost midnight, I came back to the train station, picked my backpack and tried to enjoy my slumber in the train station. Too bad, in the morning I noticed there were two girls sleeping in the floor without using sleeping that must be painful and bloody cold. FYI, the temperature was below 10 degrees Celsius that night.

Innsbruck
I eventually arrived in Innsbruck after around 4-hour train ride. The info I got was right, the town was awesome. An important thing was to find a good hostel. Both LP and the tourist office showed me two good hostels. When checking the first hostel, I met an American backpacker who also looked for the hostel then we decided to go together to find the hostel and explore the city together. Surprisingly, he went to Bukit Lawang and had a trekking trip in Gunung Leuser a month before.
A very convenient funicular, a kind of train that is operated by cable without any driver used to climb a hill, took me to a point where I could see the overall town in Innsbruck. Due to limited time I had to miss the chance for a free mountain hiking trip organized by the tourist office. I also wondered that during winter this town would also be nice for skiers,

Munich
After a few hours of truly enjoyable train ride along Alps that presented breathtaking view of Alps from my window train, I finally arrived in Munich where I found the annual October fest with lots of beer. Having no interest on seeing people getting drunk on the street, I bought a cheap 35-euro train ticket that could take me to any part of Germany on a single day. The train took me to Aachen where later I used a bus to take me to Maastricht where very cold foggy weather welcome me on my arrival

PS : i definitely LOVE this backpacking trip, it’s not a problem to become a solo independent traveller that gave me more chances to meet other people, absorb the culture and local things.

From a jewish quarter to the magnificent ruins of Roman Empire, from the freezing weather to nice sunny day of Mediterranean region. It included a visit to a nice town located in spectacular Alps and a memorable visit to a coastal town that is popular all over the world due to its canals. Using a cheap train trip and sleeping on the train station (precisely on the floor), feeling the horror from the story on the massacre of millions of people also add up the colors of my experience. Those are summed up within 9 days and the following is my travel story

Part 1
Though the journey was not well prepared, I dared to book online tickets and decided not to waste the money I spent on my travel bible, Lonely Planet, Europe version and believed that my fate would eventually take me to my destinations.

A nice landing by Ryan Air took me to Katowice, an hour drive from Krakow. It was my first time ever to use non Euro currency and pay with zloty. I was stranded in bus terminal located next to the train station and realized that I didn't know where to sleep and the travel bible gave several options until I came across a nice hostel named after the city itself, Krakow Hostel, located in the old quarter of the city. The city welcomed me with freezing and rainy weather. I began to notice differences of this country within a few hours of my visit.

I noticed that there were more priests and sisters since I began to see them from the bus terminal and even in the square in front of the hostel and the church I visited was also full of worshippers and not with tourists. I noticed that there were less tourists, less Asian looking persons. I was surprised when I bought the food to deal with my hunger due to that bloody cold weather, the price was cheaper. It was around 3,5 euros compared to 5,5 euros in western European countries. You may call it McDonald's price index to know how expensive a country is.

I tried to begin my slumber after looking around nice souvenir shops and a musical performance in the square with the hope that on the next day I would be able to take self-guided tour around the city.

It was in the morning when I started my walk with a free map available in the hostel that led me to see the castle and pay a visit to a Jewish quarter. It was surprising that the Jewish quarter, which seems to be losing a sizable number of Jewish population after the so-called Nazi genocide, still has its synagogue, Jewish art museum and a huge Jewish cemetery. The day became more unforgettable since I found a tour operator that gave me 40% percent discount because of my student card.

The monument of massacre, death camp, genocide camp or whatsoever are names of the place that made me unable to smile. The eerie atmosphere seemed to envelope the overall place. It was normal, as many people spoke the same thing to me, to get mixed feeling which are disgust, anger, pity, regret, awe or fear. We might have something in common, never let this happen in our history. I saw the pity from the victims from the flag of David star, I felt anger when I read the record that millions of people were literally slaughtered, I felt disgusted when I knew the bodies were burned after the slaughter, I felt pity when I realized that this plight should not be a part of the world history. Obviously, I would never forget the horror that made most people think, we should do our best to prevent the sequel of this genocide.

On the next day, I went to the ticket booth and later used the 7 AM morning train to depart to Warsaw, the biggest city in this country. A visit to a nice castle that reminds me of a gorgeous castle from French kings, a walk to a prison museum, a stroll in the remaining part of the city fortress and a second visit to a different but the biggest Jewish cemetery, that made me show my passport to a man from Israel embassy, were the things I did before leaving the city to Olsztyn with an afternoon train.

I finally managed to visit Slawek, a couchsurfing friend whom I met in Madrid, a year ago. He lived in Olsztyn with his family of two kids. Another bonus I got was a chance to play futsal along with his friends for around one hour. Too bad, I only got a chance to stay there for one night.

On the next day, another flight took me to fly to another country with warmer sun. In short, I love my visit there and wish that this is not my last visit.

Continued to part 2 – Mediterranean part and alps

Does it mean a student's life is merely about studious things? Obviously NOT. It also includes cooking, shopping, traveling, and many more. This is my story

 

My biggest change came when I turned my life upside down from being an office worker to become a full time student in a far away land. It's full of surprise at the very beginning though it's not as surprising as many friends thought it could be.

 

Firstly, learning to cook is a MUST. It's a 'privilege' for students, especially for those coming from Indonesia where all kinds of food are always available 24/7 daily, around the clock and it takes no effort to reach it.  Moreover,  as a very diversified country Indonesia has countless options for food, it's a haven for food lovers. But when it comes to Dutch food, the first problem is that buying food or going to restaurant would make you go bankrupt. Dutch food is not as varied as Indonesian food so that cooking expertise is badly needed despite the fact that common Indonesian food is sold everywhere. No problem for finding sate, bakmi goreng, nasi goreng, kerupuk or bakpao. Some friend said to me in jest, that I might be a chef after living in the Netherlands for a year. Even in the last few days, I have cooked nasi kuning, gulai hati, nasi uduk, croissant with cheese and kipfillet, tumis ayam, and lots of tasty food.

 

Supermarket for shopping. Students would always be careful in their budget, therefore korting ( the similar word is adapted in Indonesia) is the favourite. Some friends of mine do like the word "gratis, korting or similar words for twee halen een betalen". I also like the Euro shopper product with ridiculous price and sometimes the price could even be lower than the normal price in Indonesia. Yes, I love the ready-to-drink fresh milk, the Dutch fla, yogurt, tortilla, various pasta, and so on. Since typical Indonesian ingredients are abundant, I have no problem to buy it in any supermarket, for instance, to choose any type of sambal here. You name it, from sambal oelek, sambal bajak, sambal terasi etc and they come in various taste and sizes.

 

Other fun part is travelling, I remember after staying for a week in Tilburg, I managed to leave the country, and it continues to several places out of Netherlands. The same reason is repeated, for me as well as for my friend, while I'm here why can't we enjoy it. Another thing that's is different from me is that I have no problem to be an independent traveller. Being an independent traveller also means that I have the chance to meet the locals, get acquainted to new friends, have quite flexible schedule, and other benefits. Though, frankly speaking, you might need to share such a wonderful view to someone, be it the one you love dearly or a close friend. Gosh, I remember when I was in Alps, I screamed unbelievably that I managed to reach that place.

 

It's undoubtedly the time when I need to personally define the term I often used namely to burn midnight oil along with stacks of books next to my table as well as plenty of journals. It's also the time when I'm stunned to see the nine-to-five schedule of my study. There were times when I thought that paper was supposed to be pepper.  The "biggest achievement" so far is when I was unable to sleep at all for a day since I needed to  combine The and Sis. But not trying to say that I got the curse of continuous learning, I'm in love with this study despite the fact that my friends commented that it's such a demanding and tough study.

 

PS : since I'm going to come to the end of this so-called study, this posting is obviously meant to remind me of my memorable experience. Anyway, in fact, there are too many things I could tell, too many sweet things I could share.

Personally, it's the day to remind myself of my late mom since 100-day remembrance is quite common in Java with its distinct Javanese calendar. A part of traditional culture that permeates various faiths in modern life of Indonesia. This common practice has been used to console the bereaved family, to remember the deceased person, to pray for one's purgatory and, socially speaking, being a family gathering with its family and communal values

It seems like yesterday when I called her back home and asked her how she was, what happened to her life, and told her what had gone through in my life. But now, it has changed. Her room has been empty, her food has no longer been served, her presence has already been gone at least for the last some 100 days. I could still fondly remember when she took care of me when I was sick as a kid, I still have vivid memory when she took me to the market where I always asked to buy cookies like putu mayang, clorot and other traditional cookies. I could also recall when I had two dates with her in 2006 and 2007, the first time was when I took her to Bali for my aunt's funeral. The latter was when I took her for a weekend trip to Yogya. I never regret that I had a privilege to spend my time with her. It was in Bali when I took her to GWK since she insisted to go there, while the plane left 3 hours after we paid a visit to GWK, meaning that it was too close but we managed to get to the airport on time.

I also recall the last time she took me to the airport when I departed to the Netherlands and I also had in my mind the memory of the last time I talked to her on the phone, a week before she was rushed to the hospital.

Having been raised by her, she has left me with part of her personality and cultural heritage of Javanese as she's of Javanese blood. In spite of her flaws, most of the times, I would remember that she has shown and showered me with her love. A thing that made wonder, have I paid my debt of affection yet to her?

Apart of my gratitude since I am able to go out for dates with her, I'm still far from being completely able to show my love to her. Anyway, the last days when I took care of her, I still had a chance to say that I love her verbally. Out of my regret for my dad, I just wanted to say that I love her. 

Time keeps moving, things would change, her grave is likely to change as well, 1 and 2 year commemoration until 1000-day commemoration are also going to be held, but her memory would last forever in my mind.

"Saya mau keliling dunia dengan keluarga saya selama setahun", kata-kata teman saya yang orang Belanda itu membuat saya tercengang, tercekat, tentunya karena campuran berbagai perasaan dari sirik, iri, takjub dan setengah tidak percaya.
Ia membuat saya termangu dengan rencana perjalanannya bersama ayah ibu dan saudara perempuannya dari Eropa, Rusia, Cina, Jepang, Asia Tenggara yang tentunya termasuk Indonesia, New Zealand (yang menurutnya alamnya lebih indah dari Australia), Kanada, US, South America, hingga Afrika.
Saya cuma membayangkan perjalanan indah yang menurutnya sekali seumur hidup yang akan ia jalani dan akhirnya membuat saya turut menelan ludah dalam-dalam. Saya sendiri mengatakan bahwa keluarganya pasti akan lebih akrab setelah perjalanan itu.

Masalahnya sebagai orang Indonesia, diluar masalah dana, sanggupkah saya berkeliling dunia semudah yang ia lakukan bersama keluarga? Masalah visa pertama-tama akan menghadang. Visa US dan Eropa bukan hal yang mudah untuk diperoleh. Tidak mungkin bagi orang Indonesia meminta visa Eropa saat ia sedang berjalan-jalan di Eropa. Ah paspor hijau itu mungkin merepotkan sehingga penyanyi Anggun memutuskan mengganti kewarganegaraan menjadi warga negara Perancis.

Masalah lain yang menghadang adalah kurangnya semangat berpetualang bagi orang Indonesia. Saya sempat bingung waktu di Gili Trawangan, ada seorang Kanada yang berkata kepada saya" It's good to know a local who likes to travel". Ooops, memang demikian adanya. Beberapa teman orang Belanda sempat bingung waktu tahu saya pengggila jalan karena jarang-jarang ada orang Indonesia seperti saya. Rasanya jarang ada orang Indonesia yang mau jalan gaya susah seperti para backpacker asing, untunglah ada internet yang memungkinkan penggila jalan menularkan virus jalan-jalannya.

Pernah seorang teman saya, asal Polandia, menghabiskan waktu selama 6 bulan keliling Asia dari India hingga Asia Tenggara termasuk Borneo Malaysia, sayang ia tidak sempat ke Indonesia karena kehabisan dana. Memang ia menghabiskan sekitar 6500 euro dalam perjalanannya tapi sebenarnya yang paling penting rasanya kemauan. Ia jauh lebih muda dari saya, belum selesai dari program sarjananya di universitas dan malahan saya sendiri belum banyak melihat negara tetangga saya sendiri. Rasanya juga semakin banyak orang muda yang tertarik melihat dunia sebelum memulai masa kerja termasuk dengan menjadi relawan di belahan dunia lain.

Budaya hitchhiking atau menumpang kendaraan orang lain juga tidak populer di Indonesia meski cara ini dapat menghemat biaya perjalanan. Saya terkesan saat satu waktu bertemu seorang hitchhiker yang berkeliling dunia, Ludovic Hubler. Websitenya bercerita banyak tentang hitchhiking dari mobil hingga kapal laut hingga ia sempat ke kutub dan juga pergi ke benua lain. Ia juga bercerita tentang lama maksimal ia menunggu, hingga cerita unik tiap negara termasuk Indonesia. Selain dia, saya mengenal seorang teman yang membangun satu situs berisi trip dan trik hitchhiking di Eropa seperti membawa kertas berisi tujuan kita.

Social network atau hospitality network juga tidak populer di Indonesia dan mungkin disalahartikan. Tapi untunglah saya tersenyum waktu mengetahui bahwa multiply sangat populer dan mempunyai pengguna terbanyak justru di Indonesia dan Filipina. Social network juga yang membuat saya bertemu banyak orang dan bahkan di Eropa bisa membuat saya mengunjungi mereka dan tinggal di tempat mereka.

Entah kapan bisa keliling dunia, selain masalah kantong juga masalah lain menghadang, cuti yang sangat sedikit, Cuti ala Eropa sangat menyenangkan karena seorang karyawan dapat mengambil cuti hingga 30 hari kerja. Seorang teman mengatakan kalau cuti ala Indonesia yang hanya 6-8 hari kerja setelah dipotong cuti bersama sangat tidak manusiawi dan saya hanya tersenyum kecut mendengarnya karena apa yang dia bilang memang benar adanya.

Jadi kalau mau keliling dunia, rasanya akan lebih mudah melewati negara favorit seperti Eropa, US , Canada, Jepang, Australia dan mungkin juga New Zealand. Mungkin saja rasanya lebih eksotis dan menantang. Ah impian .....memang impian dan bermimpi itu manis rasanya :-P

PS : mimpi memang manis apalagi disaat terpaku dengan bahan studi yang menumpuk di depan mata.

Tadi pagi dapat email dari seorang teman yang mau menjadi volunteer di Bali, dan dia bingung dengan masalah visa. Akhirnya jadi berpikir keras tentang masalah visa bagi dia
Ada seorang teman saya, Warga Negara Belanda berminat menjadi volunteer di Indonesia, dia sedang bingung dengan visa yang harus dia urus. Saya sendiri sudah mencari keterangan tentang visa dan mendapatkan bahwa ada beberapa jenis visa yang disediakan, dari visa on arrival (VOA) yang langsung dibayar di bandara, visa kunjungan sosial (social visit visa). Kiranya visa jenis itulah yang dapat diterapkan untuk seseorang yang ingin menjadi volunteer selama 3 bulan di Indonesia.

Masalahnya adalah waktu tinggal yang terbatas, hanya 30 hari, sedangkan untuk visa kunjungan sosial maksimal kunjungan adalah 60 hari. Untuk visa kunjungan sosial, yang diperlukan antara lain adalah undangan dari seseorang di Indonesia, misalnya teman atau keluarga. Hal itulah yang membuat saya merasa tidak jelas tentang undangan tersebut karena berbentuk apakah undangan tersebut. Untuk Belanda contohnya, undangan dapat berlaku sah jika undangan tersebut disahkan atau disertai surat keterangan dari gemeente atau balai kota, untuk Indonesia, hal itu yang membuat saya bingung termasuk apakah orang yang berada di luar negeri juga dapat menjadi sponsor?

Saya ingat setahun yang lalu saat pergi ke pantai Baron di Yogya, (satu pantai yang sangat indah yang pernah saya lihat selain pantai Kukup dan Krakal, letaknya di daerah pantai selatan Yogya), 2 orang turis bercerita dan curhat tentang masalah imigrasi kepada saya. Mereka bercerita dari mulai indahnya Indonesia, keunikan indonesia, hingga masalah visa. Mereka sangat menyayangkan kebijakan pemerintah yang membatasi visa on arrival selama 30 hari. Sangat tidak mungkin melihat Indonesia yang terlalu luas dalam 30 hari. Ia juga membandingkan dengan India yang memberikan visa on arrival selama 6 bulan dengan harga yang sama dengan harga di Indonesia (maaf saya tidak sempat menguji kebenarannya)
Mereka juga bercerita tentang visa kunjungan sosial yang berarti si penerima visa tidak boleh pergi jauh-jauh dari si pemberi sponsor dalam jangka waktu tertentu, jadi jika si pemberi sponsor berasal dari Jakarta, si penerima visa hanya bisa pergi tidak terlalu lama dari Jakarta.
Intinya mereka menyayangkan, kalau tidak bermakna mengkritik, peraturan pemerintah yang menghambat wisatawan menikmati indahnya Indonesia yang mereka pikir terlalu luas dan unik.

Ada beberapa traveler asing yang memutuskan melakukan visa run untuk memperpanjang visa kunjungan mereka ke Singapore, namun tentu itu butuh biaya dan waktu,
nah bagaimana jika seseorang datang ke Indonesia untuk melakukan pekerjaan sebagai volunteer

Yang saya tanyakan adalah :
1. Bagaimana prosedur undangan dari sponsor untuk visa kunjungan sosial? Apakah harus disahkan terlebih dulu?
2. Benarkah visa kunjungan sosial membatasi kunjungan ke daerah lain di Indonesia?
3. Ada yang pernah punya pengalaman menjadi sponsor untuk orang asing?

Untung saya punya saudara yang menjadi warga negara Belanda yang bisa memberi masukan tentang visa dan ternyata ada seorang temannya yang bahkan bisa tinggal selama 6 bulan di Indonesia.
Ah semoga cepat jawabannya

Pergi pulang balik Belanda – Indonesia – Belanda sempat membuat gegar budaya skala kecil yang tak terduga. Dari toilet paper sampai roti isi, dari mengemudi di kanan hingga jalur sepeda. Bahkan fast food juga membuat saya sedikit kaget. 

Pertama kali tiba di Jakarta, rasanya tidak terbayang kalau ada sedikit gegar budaya yang sedikit aneh, saya sempat bingung mencari toilet paper yang tiap hari saya gunakan di Belanda namun ternyata jarang sekali ada di toilet di Indonesia, termasuk di rumah sendiri. Untunglah akhirnya terbiasa dengan cara asli ala Indonesia.

Satu hari saya makan fast food untuk pertama kalinya lagi di Indonesia, McDonalds, yang selalu jadi tumpuan harapan saya di Eropa karena harganya jauh lebih murah dari resto lainnya, maklum hanya dengan 5,5 euro saya bisa makan Big Mac, salad, dan minuman, saat itu saya hampir saja berbahasa Inggris kepada kasir. Entah karena masalah beban pikiran yang begitu menumpuk atau karena masalah disorientasi.

Di hari lain, di jaringan fast food lain, saya nyaris saja membersihkan nampan saya, membuang sampahnya dan meletakkannya di tumpukan nampan bersih. Waduh, gagap budaya lagi, maklum di sini semua harus membersihkan sendiri. Waktu saya belanja di pasar swalayan, saya juga nyaris memasukkan belanjaan saya ke kantong plastik, hingga akhirnya sadar ada petugas khusus yang memasukkan belanjaan ke kantong plastik saya.

Saya baru sadar, Eropa sebagai asal muasal roti ternyata tidak sekreatif orang Indonesia. Beberapa hari setelah tiba, saya mendadak kangen roti Bread Talk, Bread Story atau Holland Bakery, maklum di Jakarta saya sampai bisa makan 3 roti sekaligus waktu pulang kemarin. Disini tidak ada roti isi daging, coklat, pisang, keju de el el. Yang ada hanya roti biasa yang kita buat sendiri. Jadi siapa bilang orang Indonesia tidak kreatif dalam hal makanan.

Gegar makanan juga berlanjut saat makan di resto wok, satu resto masakan china di Tilburg. Saya sudah memesan 4 mangkuk sambal (ukurannya kecil sekali, isinya sambal oelek), untuk saya dan 2 orang teman. Saat memesan lagi, sang pelayan berseru dengan ekspresi penuh terkejut," Meer????" (lagiiiii?), ooops si pelayan tidak tahu saya tergila-gila sambal dan suka masakan menado yang pedasnya mungkin terasa mengerikan dengan cabai rawitnya.

Setiba pertama kali tiba di Schipol, rasanya kaget melihat cuaca yang cerah dengan matahari yang bersinar dengan hangatnya, tapi juga terkejut melihat seorang anak kecil berkawat gigi eksterior, waduuuh ngeri melihat kawat gigi yang ditunjang bagian eksterior di lehernya, apa karena biaya dokter gigi yang sangat sangat sangat mahal di Belanda? Di Indonesia, rasanya sudah tidak ada lagi yang memakai kawat gigi ini, entah karena tidak tren atau mungkin karena biaya dokter gigi yang lebih murah.

Ini juga mengingatkan saya akan keterkejutan saya melihat teman-teman yang memakai HP Nokia Communicator, memang benar kata orang, di Eropa saya tidak pernah melihat orang memakai HP Communicator. Bahkan para professional di Big Four, dan para pengacara hanya memakai HP yang terlihat sederhana. Yang canggih hanyalah black berry yang mereka pakai, itupun karena biasanya diwajibkan oleh kantor mereka.

Sekeluar dari Schipol, selain sedikit disorientasi dimana saya harus mengemudikan sepeda, di kiri atau di kanan, saya sempat menyangka jalur sepeda yang dicat merah adalah jalur buswaeee. Halaaaah, kok jadi bingung ya?
                                                                                               
PS : cerita diatas bukan iklan merek tertentu, cuma kebetulan. Tulisan ini juga dibuat untuk melihat sisi positif dari kepulangan saya ke Indo yang tidak disangka-sangka yang dapat juga mengingatkan saya akan sisi positif itu.

 

Satu bulan terakhir adalah bulan yang tak akan saya lupa seumur hidup, bulan yang mungkin sekilas terasa seperti bulan penuh cobaan, kecemasan, bimbang dan takut. Semuanya mulai berubah saat saya mencoba untuk bersyukur atas semua masalah yang ada.

Dari duka cita, beban thesis, beban studi dan segala masalah pribadi yang membuat saya ingin teriak dan lari. Entah mengapa saya seperti ingat bahwa berpikir positif membuat saya tetap tegar, salah satunya dengan cara bersyukur.

Beberapa teman menanyakan kabar kepada saya, yang saya sukar menjawabnya, memang saya baik-baik saja meski butuh waktu untuk membuat saya tenang.

Dan inilah daftar ucapan syukur yang bisa saya buat

Saya bersyukur dapat pulang melihat ibunda tercinta di saat-saat terakhirnya

Saya bersyukur ia bisa berpulang dengan tenang dan damai, lepas dari segala penderitaan yang menyakitkan dia dan perasaan saya sekeluarga

Saya bersyukur bahwa segala permasalahan yang ada membuat saya bisa melihat sisi lain dari orang-orang di sekitar saya yang selama ini mereka sembunyikan

Saya bersyukur atas kepulangan saya yang terlambat karena akhirnya teman baik saya memberikan buku-buku yang sangat bagus untuk bahan thesis (terima kasih banyak Kris, maju terus untuk semuanya...!!!!)

Saya bersyukur akan teman yang memberikan dukungan terhadap saya

Saya bersyukur akan tetangga yang sangat baik dan mendukung saya sekeluarga, tanpa mereka saya sekeluarga akan sungguh repot dan meras sepi

Saya bersyukur saya masih punya keluarga besar yang mendukung saya sekeluarga karena banyak orang yang benar-benar hidup sebatang kara

Saya bersyukur bahwa saya tidak sendirian

Saya bersyukur saya bisa menjumpai kembali orang-orang yang saya cintai setelah sekian lama tidak bertemu

Saya bersyukur bisa menemukan judul dan bahan thesis yang selama ini saya sulit pikirkan  (terima kasih banyak untuk George, Erik dan Rachel untuk kiriman jurnalnya)

Saya bersyukur saya masih punya pengharapan dan tidak patah semangat di tengah segala pergumulan

Saya bersyukur akan sekolah yang baik yang masih bisa saya tempuh disaat banyak orang tidak bisa mendapatkannya

Sebenarnya daftar ini masih lebih panjang lagi tapi akan menjadi terlalu panjang untuk saya tulis.

Daftar diatas membuat saya ingat betapa beruntungnya saya dan betapa saya layak untuk bersyukur bahkan di tengah segala permasalahan saya.

Entah kenapa, kata-kata berikut mendadak jadi satu rhema di dalam hati, agar saya mengucap syukur untuk segala sesuatu.

 

Pulang!!! Itu yang langsung terlintas selain lagu Sio Mama, ditambah seribu satu perasaan campur aduk di dalam hati waktu mendengar kabar dari Jakarta,

Bingung, cemas, bahkan air mata waktu mendengar semua ini
Beberapa tahun lalu waktu saya pertama kali merantau jauh dari kota kelahiran, saya sering menyanyi lagu ini waktu rindu akan sang Mama, satu-satunya orang yang saya kasihi setelah kepergian sang ayah

Berapa puluh tahun lalu

Beta masih kecile

Beta ingat tempo itu

Sio Mama gendong-gendong betae

Sambil Mama bakar sagu

Mama manyanyi deng buju-buju

Lah sampe basar begini

Beta ta lupa Mamae

 

Sio Mamae

Beta rindu mau pulange

Sio Mamae

Oh mama so lihat

Kurus lawange

Beta Balom Balas Mama

Mamapun Cape sio doloe

 

Sio Tete Manise

Jaga Beta Pu Mamae

Sio Mama Sio Mama

Oh Beta Sayang Mamae

Berapa tahun lalu saya juga mengerti arti dari Sio Tete Manise yang berarti dalam dan jauh tentang Dia yang sanggup menjadi teman dan sahabat kita.

Ah rasanya tidak sabar untuk tiba kembali di kota kelahiran meski terpisah benua dan 14 jam perjalanan dari ujung bumi yang lain. Entah apa yang saya akan pikirkan selama di perjalanan, kenangan manis tahun lalu saat pergi ke Yogya bersama dia? Atau kenangan manis sejak kecil karena dialah yang merawat dan membesarkan saya sejak saya dilahirkan.

Entah, saya cuma bisa berdoa, Sio Tete Manise, jaga beta pu Mamae

 

 

We are the reason, a wonderful song that portrays the true spirit of Easter
as we sing this song

"We were (are) the reason
That He gave His life
We were (are) the reason
That He suffered and died
To a world that was lost
He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live"

Happy Easter Everyone ...
PS : this video has lyrics therefore you might sing along with it

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