The Romantic Tale of Me and My Country, Part Three: "When Love Resolves"

Sunday, September 2nd 2018

I swear I never shed tears this much for my country.

Asian Games akhirnya mencapai penghujung acara. Setelah dua minggu jadi pemersatu bangsa lewat segala cabor dan pertandingannya yang greget dan seru, acara yang udah dibuka dengan super megah itu akan ditutup dengan acara yang, mereka udah bilang sih, gak bakal semegah opening-nya, tapi tetep megah untuk merayakan keberhasilan dan kesuksesan acara ini.

Dan sebagai warga negara yang menyesal karena melewatkan openingnya yang fenomenal itu, gue pun beli. Meski gue tau akan gak seseru tanggal 18 Agustus dan kemungkinan bakal lebih garing nan kentang karena pembandingnya adalah sang opening, gue tetep beli.

Tadinya buat bokap nyokap, tapi karena satu dan lain hal dua-duanya bail -sedih sumpah!- hingga akhirnya yang pergi gue dan adek gue. Kita parkir di Sarinah karena tau Senayan ramenya bakal naujubilah -oh it rhymes!- dan bener aja! Gausah jalan rayanya, halte buswaynya pun MACET!

Gila sih gak pernah gue liat HALTE BUSWAY, yang lorongnya panjang dan kadang gue bertanya-tanya ini apa gunanya sih dibikin panjang-panjang dan mengular kayak gini gak efektif dan straightforward mengingat gak semua orang naik busway, kini lorong panjang itu bener-bener penuh terisi manusia, yang gerakannya itu gak padat merayap yang meski ramai tapi tetep jalan, NGGAK! Bener-bener yang stuck saking penuhnya dan mampetnya!

Dan gak pernah gue liat antusiasme masyarakat Indonesia sebesar ini. Gue tau gak semua yang lagi desek-desekan sama gue ini bakal ketemu gue lagi di stadion utama. Pasti ada juga yang dateng buat ngerasain rame-ramenya dari festival yang selama ini gue udah datengin 3 kali itu -wkwk rakus apa doyan dah??- ngeliat keseruan di dalem lewat layar nobar sambil secara langsung ngedengerin semuanya dari luar stadion.

Tapi semuanya dateng.

Serame itu, seantusias itu.

Dan seakan Tuhan menguji kesungguhan kita semua untuk ngedukung Indonesia dalam menyelesaikan apa yang udah kita mulai dengan megah ini, ujan turun. Sederes itu, memaksa gue dan adek gue dan semua orang harus neduh dulu sekitar setengah jam di tenda yang tadinya dipake buat security checking. Btw di sini gue bersyukur karena jadinya gue sama adek gue yang pergi, bukan bonyok gue karena fix gue akan merasa bersalah di rumah kalo tau mereka harus neduh dan melewati apa yang gue lewati wkwk.

Gak lama hujan reda, meski masih turun, tapi gue sama adek gue bela-belain nerobos karena perjalanan dari pintu Senayan yang deket halte busway itu masih jauh banget ke stadion utama. Dari tenda neduh masih terang, sampe pintu masuk stadion utama udah gelap aja dong wkwk.

Dari situ udah kerasa banget aura nasionalismenya. Yang masih tinggi, tapi kerasa lebih lesu aja karena ini adalah akhir dari Asian Games 2018. Abis ini gak ada lagi pertandingan seru yang bisa ditunggu tiap hari, gak ada lagi seru-seruan di Senayan.

Masuk, duduk, dan masih nunggu sedikit hingga akhirnya acara dimulai. Bener sih, kalo dibandingin dengan opening, jauh banget euforia serunya. Pak Jokowi gak dateng, gak ada stunt-stunt seru nan gak penting, dekorasi gak seheboh opening, pentas-pentas yang berbau Indonesia banget lebih sedikit karena sekarang juga masukin budaya-budaya negara Asia lain, atlet-atlet udah banyak yang pulang, jadi yang ngisi kekosongan kebanyakan para volunteer.

Tapi ya gapapa sih, gue masih tetep bangga dan bahagia, karena Indonesia bener-bener bisa nyelesain ini semua. Gue nyesel udah pesimis di awal, tapi gue seneng karena justru ada perubahan rasa dari yang tadinya gak peduli, sampe bisa sebangga ini sama Indonesia. Terharu banget.

Cuman ada satu hal yang paling bikin gue mewek. Well, dua sih, tapi yang satunya lagi terjadi pas di tengah acara, yang gue yakin ini cuma gue doang lebay pake mewek segala, orang-orang pasti biasa aja.

Ketika Pak Anies sebagai perwakilan Jakarta-Palembang menyerahkan tonggak Asian Games buat host berikutnya, yakni Hangzhou, China -ah taee ngetiknya aja bikin merinding wkwkwk. Seketika GBK jadi berasa banget China-nya, dengan alunan musik dan elemen-elemen khas Tiongkok. Lalu maskot mereka jadi tampak mendominasi, sedangkan Bhin-Bhin, Atung sama Kaka gak keliatan. Gila gue nangis sih, dan untungnya tuh musik segede-gede dunia jadi ya gada yang denger juga.

Ini bukti nyata bahwa Asian Games 2018 udah bener-bener berakhir sih, dan setelah ini semuanya bakal balik normal lagi, nasionalisme bakal balik ke batas sewajarnya lagi, politik bakal mulai membara lagi, ah, gak seru deh...

Tapi ya mau gimana lagi, Asian Games 2018 pasti bakalan selesai lah ya masa iya jalan terus, ini pasar apa acara olahraga? Wkwk.

Setelah segala pentas berbau internasional yang super menghibur itu selesai, sebagaimana acara pentas olahraga pada umumnya, closing ceremony Asian Games 2018 ditutup dengan kembang api. Dan di sinilah gue nangis lagi HAHA CENGENG ANJING!?

Yah pembelaan gue adalah, lo gak nasionalis sih kalo ngeliat pemandangan semacem ini gak bikin hati lo bergetar.

[will insert the pic of the fireworks]

Sunday, September 2nd 2018

I swear I never shed tears this much for my country.

But I swear these tears of joy and pride,

Indonesia deserves it

The Romantic Tale of Me and My Country, Part Two: "When Love Takes Action"

Duh gamungkin sih,

Asian Games 2018 ini...

Feel-nya sama persis kayak World Cup, di mana GUE UDAH SUPER KECANTOL. Gue udah mulai sotoy seakan-akan yang paling tahu betul dengan segala update acaranya, jadwal pertandingan, cabor-cabor apa aja yang udah main, la la la li li li, ya lo tau lah gimana cotnya gue kalo udah ngomongin soal World Cup? Wkwkwk...

Tapi ya gimana dong, gue beneran cinta sama vibe ini!

Satu negeri, bos! Tiba-tiba jadi kompak. Jadi penuh dukungan dan segala hal yang berbau positif, jadi lupa sama politik yang kayak tai itu, beneran menggambarkan lirik "sambung menyambung menjadi satu" yang selama ini cuma bisa gue dendangkan doang.

Gue gak pernah ngerasa sebangga ini sih sama Indonesia, suwer. Dan menurut gue ini Indonesia yang gak pernah gue kenal sebelumnya. Gue pun merasa kalo hal ini gak boleh disia-siakan dan dilewatkan begitu aja, jadi sebisa mungkin kalo ada yang berbau Asian Games, gue akan ikutan.

Nobar udah pasti lah. Di kantor yang paling sering, karena jadwalnya pasti selalu bentrok dengan jam kerja. Tapi gapapa, justru gue jadi makin akrab dengan orang-orang kantor yang gak gue kenal atau deket sebelumnya wkwk what a blessing in disguise, Asian Games!

Trus tiap pulang kantor, berubung gue kerjanya di Senayan nih ya, dan sebagian besar pertandingan Asian Games diadainnya di kompleks GBK yang sekarang udah maha bagus itu, gue selalu ngerasa iri sama mereka para volunteer atau orang-orang yang bisa nonton langsung di sana buat dukung Indonesia. Tapi ya mau gimana, pekerjaan menghantui...

Akhirnya yang bisa gue lakukan hanyalah mampir ke festivalnya, yang mana biaya masuknya cuma 10rb, tapi vibe-nya langsung kerasa kalo ini adalah venue olahraga di mana Indonesia masih berjuang di dalamnya. Isinya sih emang kebanyakan tempat makan dan tempat jualan para sponsor ya, tapi gatau kenapa sih, aura-aura ngedukung Indonesianya kentel banget. Plus ada beberapa tempat nobar yang bakal rame banget menjelang pertandingan-pertandingan penting, terutama bulutangkis.

Gue ngerasain itu beberapa kali. Suatu Sabtu gue mampir ke festival ini buat yang kedua kalinya -yang pertama sama temen-temen kantor, tapi karena cuma dateng pas pulang kantor which waktunya gak banyak, dan plus saat itu gak ada pertandingan seru, gue masih ngerasa kurang nampol. Waktu itu emang kebetulan ada pertandingan bultang yang emang partai gede, jadi ramenya... SUBHANALLAH ALLAHUAKBAR!

Cuman serunya bukan main sih. GAK. NGERTI. LAGI. GUE! Orang-orang pada teriak-teriak, nyaut-nyautin nama-nama atlet, meringis, terperangah, baik karena kesal maupun bahagia, orang-orang gak kenal jadi ngobrol dan ketawa bareng, orang-orang yang emang udah kenal saling teriak-teriak gemas, parah sih...

Dan dari kunjungan-kunjungan ini jugalah gue mulai merasakan cinta yang berkembang terhadap tiga maskot kesayangan Asian Games: Bhin Bhin si burung cendrawasih, Atung si rusa bawean, dan Kaka si badak bercula satu. Ketiganya hadir di mana-mana di seluruh area GBK, dan ketiganya LUCU AHELAH... lagi, karena gue udah terlalu pesimis dari awal, gue gak akan expect maskotnya pun bisa jadi sebagus dan sefilosofis ini.

Bukan cuma gue doang, satu Indonesia pun sayang sama mereka. Bonekanya selalu abis, antrean masuk ke toko resmi merchandise-nya gak pernah gak ngantre -dan antreannya sepanjang-panjang dunia. Gue pun gak kebagian boneka, tapi at least gue beli banyak hal yang ada merekanya!

Meski gue udah berkali-kali mampir ke festival itu, gue masih ngerasa belum puas kalo belum beneran nonton olahraganya dan ngedukung langsung Indonesia iya gak sih???

Cuman nih ya, again, karena gue terlalu pesimis pada awalnya, sedangkan orang lain udah begitu antusias bahkan dari berbulan-bulan sebelum acara dimulai, ya tentu saja semua tiket cabor penting nan populer udah abis dari kapan tau. Berkali-kali gue coba cari tiket di segala partner Asian Games, tapi berkali-kali juga gue gagal.

Turunlah gue dari angan-angan palsu mau nonton bulutangkis, voli, basket, atau renang -sepakbola udah pasti off the option karena jauh mainnya di Bekesyong wkwk- menjadi cabor-cabor tier dua: panahan, polo, dll yang masih sekitaran Senayan.

Tapi ya tentu aja gue telat. Apa pula mau nonton pertandingan tapi baru nyarinya setelah acaranya setengah jalan??? Ya iyalah udah abis semua tuh yang gak terlalu populer sekalipun. Udah sampe lah gue ke tahap di mana gue beneran turun ke GBK, nyamperin booth-boothnya dengan harapan bisa dapet basian-basian, tapi nihil.

Cuman gue masih gamau nyerah.

Hari ini, hari Sabtu terakhir pagelaran Asian Games, bener-bener sehari sebelum closing ceremony di mana semua jadwal pertandingan akan dihabiskan hari itu juga, gue balik lagi ke GBK. Sendirian, tanpa kepastian bahwa gue akan bisa nonton sesuatu.

Gue samperin lagi tuh booth-booth dan gue telusurin satu-satu, kari ini gak pake filter mau khusus nonton apa, bener-bener cari yang masih ada tiketnya, dan tentu aja masih ada Indonesia-nya. Dan ternyata ada satu cabang yang memenuhi persyaratan itu.

Namanya Sambo.

Boleh jujur? Gue gatau apa itu Sambo. Gimana cara mainnya, siapa aja atletnya, GUE BAHKAN GATAU ADA OLAHRAGA NAMANYA SAMBO!? Tapi gue udah cek website-nya, dan ternyata masih ada atlet Indonesia yang main untuk cabor ini.

Bodo amat, gue beli. Gue beli langsung tanpa berpikir panjang, lantas masuk dan berhamburan ke JCC karena pertandingannya udah mulai dari tadi.

Dan ternyata rame...

Gangerti lagi gimana senengnya gue waktu itu. Bisa berkumpul dengan orang-orang yang gagal dapet tiket olahraga penting, hingga akhirnya bernasib sama dengan gue dan beli si sambo yang gajelas juntrungannya ini -yang ternyata adalah sejenis olahraga gulat. Tapi kayaknya kita semua sama-sama gak peduli karena yang penting bisa masuk ke venue beneran, ngeliat atlet Indonesia beraksi beneran, dan, ini dia yang paling penting, bisa ngedukung Indonesia dengan yel-yel yang selama ini cuma bisa didenger lewat TV atau dari luar venue.

Merinding sih ketika ini terjadi, karena akhirnya, AKHIRNYA, gue bisa melakukan itu, di pentas Asian Games, bersama supporter Indonesia lainnya yang sama-sama fanatiknya dengan segala pernak-pernik merah putih.

Cuma itu sih yang pengen gue rasain. Mau bagaimanapun hasilnya, menang atau kalah -which, kita kalah, karena atlet Sambo kita mana badannya jauh lebih kecil dibandingkan negara lain, yang penting gue udah beneran datang dan dukung, ngerasain euforia betulan sebagai supporter Indonesia tulen.

Duh gamungkin sih,

Asian Games 2018 ini...

Gak pernah seumur-umur,
Gue serela ini ngelakuin sesuatu
Buat Indonesia Raya

The Romantic Tale of Me and My Country, Part One: "When Love Grows"

Oke gue akui, gue makin MAGER BANGET update blog ini.

Sumpah ya ada apa sih dengan menjadi dewasa? Banyak banget tanggungan yang harus dipenuhi, tapi waktunya gak banyak huhu trus malah curhat ya pokoknya intinya, gue kangen ngoceh sotoy di sini.

Ini gue bela-belain nulis karena, well, ini udah terlalu terlambat. Acaranya udah jalan, vibenya udah kenceng, dan gue belum mention itu sama sekali. Ya, apalagi yang paling banyak diperbincangkan akhir-akhir ini kalo bukan

A S I A N   G A M E S

Gambar dari sini.

Udahlah gue gamau terlalu banyak cingcong soal betapa besarnya acara ini bagi Tanah Air, betapa ini adalah sebuah milestone bagi negara kita untuk dipandang oleh mata internasional, la la li li bukan, gue lebih pengen ngomong soal perasaan gue sendiri terhadap acara ini, yang sejujurnya,

sangat gue nikmati.

Jujur, pada awalnya gue pesimis. Duh, ini Indonesia. Udah terlalu banyak contoh kasusnya, dan terlalu banyak oknum yang bisa bikin semuanya berantakan dan memalukan bangsa. Jadi meski kehadirannya sudah digembar-gemborkan semenjak dua tahun sebelumnya, gue belum merasa ke-grande-an acara ini sampai akhirnya tibalah 18 Agustus 2018.

The Opening Ceremony

Gambar dari sini.

Sayangnya, gue cuma nonton dari rumah. Dan itu menjadi salah satu penyesalan terbesar gue tahun ini, thanks to the stupid pessimistic side of me.

Gue gak nyangka acara pembukaannya bakal segrande itu, sebagus itu, sedramatik itu. Kaget sih, asli, karena rasa pesimis gue setinggi itu. Apa yang ditampilin di GBK saat itu, menurut gue udah kelas internasional. Agak lebay emang kalo gue bilang gue merinding -padahal cuma liat lewat TV wkwk- tapi ya, gue merinding. Karena ini diliat satu dunia bos! Well, at least diliat satu Asia.

Yang bikin makin hepi adalah karena para performernya cuma muncul secimit-cimit, gak yang satu penyanyi muncul ampe berkali-kali dengan gonta-ganti kostum hey ini bukan konser lau. Gue gak butuh nonton Raisa dan Tulus, yang gue butuhkan adalah pentas yang Indonesia banget, dan untungnya, itulah yang ditampilkan.

Endingnya, ketika para atlet saling oper obor hingga Mbak Susi Susanty naik gunung, yah, bohong sih gue kalo gue bilang gue gak nangis. Untung waktu itu gue sendokiran di rumah, jadi bebas mewek saking bahagia dan bangganya ngeliat itu acara.

Tapi kalo boleh jujur sih ya, ke-nangis-an paling utama gue justru terjadi pas parade atlet dari tiap-tiap negara partisipan Asian Games. Bukan, bukan pas Indonesia -yaa itu lumayan bikin mata banjir sih. Gue banjir parah pas Korea keluar.

Gak mungkin sih. Acara sebagus itu, semegah itu, dan untuk pertama kalinya Korea muncul sebagai Korea. Gak yang selatan aja, gak yang utara aja: Korea. Dan dua perwakilan pemerintahnya, yang duduk di sebelah Pak Jokowi, tiba-tiba bangkit dari duduk dan bergandengan tangan AHELAH NGETIKNYA AJA GEMETERAN GUE CUPU BANGET DAH MASALAH EMOSIONAL GINI-GINIAN HUHU...

Well.

Intinya, setelah opening selesai, gue baru sadar betapa gue telah memandang negara gue sendiri dengan sebelah mata. Dan gue baru sadar kalo ternyata gue cinta banget ama ini negara, cuman gue suka jijik aja sama isinya makanya jadi pesimis.

Asian Games bisa jadi pertanda baik sih.

Bukan cuma buat negara ini doang, tapi buat

Hubungan gue dan negara ini :)

Seventy Two

For the first time in my life,

I got a visitor from abroad -a friend I met on my Australia trip, during Indonesia’s Independence Holiday. Which effectively means that for the first time in my life too -since I had to guide this friend of mine around town, I explored Jakarta and its major tourist spots, during Indonesia’s Independence Holiday.

And let’s talk in Indonesian.

Jujur sebenernya gue gak sabar sih buat menyambut temen gue ini. Namanya Paul. Makanan favoritnya steak, kalo nginep pas liburan selalu di hotel berbintang, dan dia ke mana-mana naik mobil atau taksi. Dia baru pertama kali ke Indonesia jadi gue tambah excited! Karena gue pengen ngenalin makanan-makanan lokal gue yang enak-enak, karena gue pengen pamer kalo transport di Jakarta udah nyaman, karena ini pengalaman pertama gue ke Kota Tua pas 17an, dan karena gue mau nunjukin betapa meriahnya perayaan kemerdekaan di Indo which negara manapun di dunia gak ada yang bikin selebrasi seheboh ini.

Awalnya hari ini berjalan lancar. Mulai dari gue sama adek gue nganter bokap nyokap ke airport, trus pulangnya lewat rumah-rumah di area kampung jadi bisa ngeliat orang-orang lagi pada sibuk nyiapin lomba-lomba, trus ke tempat temen gue naik busway yang isinya orang-orang berbaju merah. Intinya, suasana 17an udah kerasa banget.

Namun, lama-lama semuanya mulai gak beres. Panasnya bener-bener gak karuan, trus museum-museum di Kota Tua, yang harusnya jadi atraksi utama dan alasan pertama kenapa gue ajak Paul ke sana, TUTUP SEMUA -sumpah ya gak abis pikir, ini kan 17an, kenapa malah tutup??? Kalo tanggal-tanggal merah lainnya ya gak masalah lah, tapi Hari Kemerdekaan!?!?, udah gitu jalan-jalan arah Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa semuanya pake dialihin pula, fuck, kesel sih gue gak bohong.

Tapi itu semua gak ada apa-apanya dibandingin pas gue mau ke Istana Negara buat liat upacara penurunan bendera.

Ini kan main dish ya. Jadi gue berharap banget setelah semua ke-rese-an yang terjadi barusan, at least buat yang satu ini beneran kejadian. Tapi dunia berkata lain. Jalan yang ditutup makin menjadi-jadi, sehingga busway gue memutuskan untuk gak berhenti di Monas dan langsung ke Harmoni. Di halte itu ternyata udah penuh gak karuan. Dan bus arah balik ke Monas lamanya gak nahan. Antreannya panjang, panasnya bukan main, dan ketika bus tiba, kita mesti dempet-dempetan masuk dan desek-desekan di dalem bus. Terakhir, busnya ternyata muter sehingga kita gak lewat Monas dan ya, intinya, perjalanan gue barusan itu sia-sia dan cuma dapet apesnya aja.

Temen gue, namanya Paul.

Dia ke mana-mana naik mobil atau taksi, tapi hari ini dia mesti kebawa arus orang-orang busway yang, well, tau sendiri kan betapa liarnya mereka kalo mau naik bus yang udah ditunggu-tunggu 45 menit? Paul baru pertama kali ke Indonesia, dan di hari pertamanya ini dia harus ngeliat betapa bobroknya negara gue, harus gagal ngerasain meriahnya 17an, harus ngerasain sisi-sisi kelam Jakarta yang sebenernya sehari-hari udah mulai gak kerasa.

Gue bisa liat si Paul udah mpet banget. Tapi muka paling mpet ya muka gue. Karena gue pikir bawa dia keliling pas lagi 17an itu adalah ide yang bagus, tapi ternyata nggak. Karena gue pikir ajak dia naik transportasi umum itu adalah pengalaman seru, tapi ternyata bau.

Dia bilang seru sih -yang gue sangat yakin dia bohong, dan makan malem yang gue kenalin ke dia, which were tongseng, pisang goreng, otak-otak dan es jeruk kelapa, katanya enak banget -kalo yang ini gue sangat yakin dia jujur, karena keliatan lah dari mungkenye.

Tapi tetep aja, gue kecewa…

Karena ternyata, meski udah berusia 72 tahun, Indonesia (dan Jakarta) masih buruk banget pengaturannya. Oke buat hari-hari biasa, emang udah kerasa bagus dan rapihnya. Tapi giliran ada hari besar kayak gini, dor, langsung deh keder. Kaget. Shock. Jelas banget kalo persiapannya kurang. Acara-acara kenegaraan yang ditayangin di TV, keliatannya emang mewah. Tapi gak ada yang tahu kan kalo ternyata biar orang-orang bisa sampe di Istana, buat ngeliat “kemewahan” itu, susahnya bukan main?

Tapi bicara soal “orang-orang”…

Selesai main sama Paul, gue pulang naik ojek. Ojeknya agak dodol karena muter-muter dan ngelewatin daerah-daerah terpencil yang -gue pikir gue bakalan diculik sumpah, karena- gue gak tau itu di mana. Tapi justru di atas ojek inilah gue termenung soal, “orang-orang”.

Orang-orang Indonesia tulen yang baru aja selesai ngerayain pesta kemerdekaan. Yang lagi beres-beres gawang bola, yang lagi gotong tiang-tiang buat panjat pinang, yang lagi bagi-bagi hadiah lomba. Semuanya gembira ria dan ketawa-tawa.

Lalu gue teringat seharian ini gue berinteraksi terus sama mereka. Yang ada di bandara, dengan muka cengengesan karena baru tiba di Jakarta, yang dilewatin sama gue dan adek setelah nganter bonyok, yang ada di bus yang bajunya serba merah, yang memenuhi tiap sudut alun-alun Kota Tua dan Sunda Kelapa, yang dempet-dempetan sama gue dan Paul karena semua berebutan pengen liat upacara di Istana...

Mungkin si Paul nggak ngerasa itu menarik.

Tapi buat gue, itu sangat menyentuh.

Karena gue liat langsung dengan mata gue bahwa gimanapun juga, apapun situasinya, mau itu di bawah panas terik matahari ibukota, di antara kerumunan liar, atau di tengah ketidakadilan pemerintah yang bisa nikmatin perayaan 17an sedangkan orang-orang harus berjuang di luar Istana—

Masyarakat Indonesia masih semangat keluar rumah,

Gabung dengan warga lain buat ikut ngerayain serunya 17an,

Dan ngebebasin diri dari kesibukan sehari-hari yang kayak berak.

It’s still a mess, okay,

But honestly, at least

It’s feisty, too

Time's Up

So I've watched Moana.

And I really loved it.

I adored how she's so tough and independent, how she's not a crybaby about being forbidden to follow her dream -well Disney Princesses won't easily get what they want, eh?- and how she finally break the rules anyway -yes, it's not a Disney Princess if they're not being a rebel. And her adventure is a badass one. Wandering the ocean all by herself when she doesn't even know how to sail? That's sick! In short:

"Moana is flawless. But remember, the ocean's got its dark side too."

Hm. Sounds like a contrast summary to something I clearly said I was so in love with, don't you think? Well, no, it's not about the film. The film's good, too good, if I may say.

It's about something else.

Vicky Amin presents

I used to take Disney Princesses for granted. I mean, I adored each and every single of them, but that's all, nothing special. It's not until my high school years when I realized that this franchise is more than just featuring ladies with their beauty and moral of story—there's also history in it, sense of timeline, science facts, legends, and -here's what I like the most- nationality. And ever since I realized about this, I've always hoped that there'll be at least one coming from Indonesia.

I know, I know, we got China with Mulan, and Arabic with Jasmine—Asia's pretty much represented already. Plus, Japan and India haven't got their spots and I think they are more likely to be featured if there'll ever be more Princesses from Asia. So, if Indonesia can make it, I think it will happen like, in 20 years?

Then Moana came.

With her ocean spirit and maritime way of living, with her voyager ancestors and sea myths and mother nature—oh Lord, I swear, it was an indigenous Indonesian woman and culture that I saw.

Of course, Polynesia shares culture with us. We're just separated with the ocean, and our old men used to sail a lot so, it's no wonder that they look just like our people from eastern Indonesia.

But it's just too similar. Their physical appearance, their outfit, their houses, their boats, their value about coconut which all elements can be benefited—OMG IT'S WHAT I'VE ALWAYS LEARNED IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Along the film all I did was gasping and whispering to myself, oh my God it is obviously Indonesia! or oh my God, it is what my people do! and in the end, I was just sitting there in silent, stressed, because that was it for my country to step up.

They will never create something so similar just to feature some new Princess from Indonesia. They will never use the ocean's approach again for their next Princesses, and guess what, ocean is Indonesia's best asset...

Well actually, if I should see things from the positive side, there's not even once in the film that they clearly stated where this Moana universe took place. So we Indonesians can actually claim that this one will be ours.

But let's not be shallow here. We all know that this lady is more like Hawaiian than Moluccan. And we know that the combination of ocean and lava is identically related to Hawaii.

So no matter how persistent and stubborn I want to be,

I know that I won't win it. Time's up for Indonesia.

However.

We also know that Indonesia possesses more culture than any other nations in this world. We know that ocean is the best asset, yes, but there are others we can highlight.

I think I'm just being too much here.

We can still make it into the Princess lineup.

So it's time, Indonesia.

To show the world what else we got

As for slacking off and goofing around,

Time's up

Classic Jealousy

Before you go on I must warn you that this is about F1 again. Well, I did tell you the likeliness of me "won't be over it any time soon" yes?

Although honestly, this time's not specifically about the race nor the tournament as a whole. It's more about, you know, ripple effect caused by the championship.

Well duh, I'm blabbering way too much now. Before you turn confused and run away, let's just get down straight to business.

It's about Malaysia.

Pic's from here.

After the best night race in Singapore two weeks ago -still can't move on, by the way, the next set of Grand Prix will be held in its neighbor—MY "neighbor" too: Malaysia. It'll be fun, I'm sure, yet at the same time, well, I don't know, it feels a little bit like, umm, to me, it's more like a...

A torture.

I've always had this rough relationship with that country. With all its one-sided claims, its fiery soccer encounters with us, its attempts to look international, its "oh we're so Asia we're rich in culture in which we're actually not but we're just smart enough to look like one" lalala well okay I'm biased. And okay I visited that country once, but I don't know, I can't seem to be able to sincerely like that country.

And now F1 is entering their region. A thing I'm starting to show my love to, is entering the country I don't really love. And if I may say, it bugs me. A lot.

Starting with how the social media rants about the drivers having fun in Malaysia—it hurts me somehow. Then how Malaysia's culture being adored by the F1 universe—it really fvcking irritates me. And every single time I see name Malaysia mentioned by either the account of F1, or Red Bull, or worse yet, Ricciardo, I really just, ugh, want to shut down the digital world and live in the peace of olden-days.

I don't mind about Singapore being loved because, for me, that country is on a whole different level. They're goblin. I don't know how they could do it, but I got to admit that they're not supposed to be a Southeast Asian country. They're on the same level with Europeans. Indonesia on the other hand, without a doubt, is far far left behind. So admitting that Singapore held a Grand Prix so spectacular that it awed people from all corners of the globe, wouldn't be hard to me. I'll submit wholeheartedly to that.

But Malaysia? What's so special about them? Culture? Indonesia's got it all -except the mental. Nature? Indonesia's much more beautiful -except the fact that we have no idea how to make the most of it. Indonesia's not that different from that nation, that it's so unnecessary to have a Grand Prix there and skip it here!

But then again,

Despite this stupid jealousy,

It's their prize to enjoy the Grand Prix.

Because no matter how hard I try to deny it, it's obvious that Malaysia's much developed on so many levels.

But still I just can't take it.

Because this is not just about F1.

This is MUCH bigger than just races.

It is pride,

In which Indonesia

Doesn't have yet

Red White

Independence Day?

Yes, that's the main dish.

But this year, it's beyond that.

It all started on last Sunday night.

Just when I thought the fun was over, giving the fact that weekend reached the end and Monday was coming, something amazing happened in England. Yes it was the first matchday of Premier League, and Liverpool was playing.

Against Arsenal.

At Emirates.

It was supposed to be uneasy for us. And I didn't expect much anyway. But since it was a big game, and it was the debut match for the whole season, I streamed to London anyway.

The drama was real. A real emotional roller-coaster. Penalty against Liverpool, but blocked. First goal by Arsenal, but the lads could catch up with more goals. Gunners leveled up their game with more goals, but eventually, Liverpool managed to survive 'til the end. And won.

Pic's from here.

I swear, it was a sweet night for me. And I swear I woke up with the biggest smile on the next day, despite it was Monday, and I had to go to work. But what made it "the biggest", was because on that Monday night, I was going to have another open trip which I hadn't done for so long.

Yes, just like last year to Krakatau.

It was a trip for Indonesia's day.

This time,

To Dieng

I know, it's a crazy view eh?

I was all excited. Plus this was my first time joining a non-sea trip. And, it was my very first time using an office day-off - I'M AN ADULT! And the 2-day-2-night trip itself, it turned out to be so incredible.

Rice paddies along the way, rolls of hills on top of the plateau, multi-hued lakes and awesome craters, ancient temples and insightful historical watchings, countryside people with their fresh routines, new friends sharing the same Indonesian-treasures interest, nice warm local specialties with mountainous weather, DAMN! I never felt a trip more Indonesian than this.

But the main show of course, was the one on the August 17th itself. When we trekked the 2600-meter-something mountain to have our annual patriotic ceremony, with flags waving everywhere and scenes of sick hillsides graced the background. And with the moment when "Indonesia Raya" was marched from all corners of the mountain, leaving back to reality was indeed a difficult thing to do.

They called it Puncak Sikunir

Well. Mesmerizing, huh?

But that was not it.

Just when I thought the fun was over, giving the fact that my wonderful trip reached the end and another working day was coming, something amazing happened again. This time, in Rio. Yes,

The Gold Medal

by

Tontowi Ahmad | Lilyana Natsir

It's a big thing for me. No, not because of the event. Not necessarily because it's Rio, and everybody is talking about that, and posting things about the athletes, that it became a big thing for me. No. I've been a supporter for Indonesian badminton since long ago. I even watched it when Hendra Setiawan and Markis Kido won their gold in Beijing 2008. I ain't any bandwagon fan who suddenly became interested in this sport just to swim along the stream.

So my love for them is real. And seeing them winning, seeing them getting back the gold tradition Indonesia didn't have in 2012 Olympics and on top of all, seeing them giving it all right on the day Indonesia was celebrating its Independence Day, it was too beautiful.

Pic's from here.

So intense, yet beautiful.

Full of all red and white things.

And you know what makes it more touching?

That all of these happened in just 4 packed days.

It overlapped, in the most delicate ways.

Thanks, Liverpool.

And I love you so much

Indonesia

The Foolish Ones

It's been pretty confusing to be Indonesians lately.

Between pride and disappointment, it all mixed up.

Like tourism. I'm pretty much head over heels with my country right now as Indonesia keeps attracting the world with its natural charm. Yet on the same time, our internal harmony is on jeopardy. The race and religion issue is getting too much and I'm this close to... You know, stuff you religion freaks don't want to hear.

This makes me realize how low-educated my fellow citizens are. And how trash their talk is. No I'm not going to discuss the topic of "race and religion" no, oh God, I've had enough. I want to talk about something else. That also shows how poor Indonesians' mindset is.

I want to talk about Rio Haryanto.

Pic's from here.

The first ever Indonesian in Formula One.

Okay I need to set things straight here: I ain't some bandwagon fan -or what you call in Bahasa as "karbitan"- who starts to track Rio's journey ever since he made it into F1. No. I've been exposed to him long ago, as he is on the same age with me, and I've always had this jealousy—I mean, I've always had this MAJOR SUPPORT for people my age -I once brought up Neymar and Sam Smith to this blog, you can look it up. I've known him far before 2016, unlike most Indonesians do, so no, I'm not that kind of spontaneous groupie.

Back to topic.

Today was the Race Day for Australia Grand Prix. Yesterday was the qualification and as you might knew, Rio had some incident that forced him to start from the last position today. And as you might as well knew, many Indonesians whom are mostly clueless about the racing world and stuff, started their trash-talk galore.

Saying that it's an unnecessary thing done by Rio, cursing about how reckless that poor guy was, self-observing that this was a super bad start for Indonesia and could not be good for the future, this shit, that shit, oh man! Shut the fuck up already!

You guys wanted somebody to lift the dignity of Indonesia? Rio stepped up. You guys wanted something fresh to clear up your minds from the negative vibes that has been all around the nation lately? Rio delivered a very good news. You guys made this really nice support so he could finally get the money and made it through the event, and now you think that it can give you the courtesy to mock him? You guys are such a disgrace, really.

"Seriously, people, you need to keep your uneducated mind and mouth shut. All you can do is just talk, and talk, and talk more nonsense crap, yet you know barely nothing about the race!" -- Vicky Amin, 23, furious on some level.

Last night I watched an interview on local TV station, featuring one of Indonesia's racers. She described a comprehensive rules and regulations about Formula One, and stated that such incident is common and more racers will do the same thing throughout the tournament, even worse things could possibly happen. So really, it's not that big a deal.

Remember, he's the only Indonesian in F1 now.

Plus, he's like, the only Southeast Asian.

Oh better yet, the only ASIAN.

And you, you got nothing.

Nothing but your trash mouth.

I'm not here to defend Rio -well, okay, I'm here for that too, a bit. I'm writing this more likely to emphasize on how upset I am with Indonesian citizens today. Especially the ones roaming about the internet.

They're just too fool, too lazy to dig up the complete facts that they get too carried away already with just unnecessary details. It's like, sometimes I think we're really not ready for such freedom in information exchange...

Well well, that's too much to think.

Let's just now forget about them assholes.

Obviously, F1 is not for

The Foolish Ones

Total(ly) Solar Eclipse

At first I didn’t really feel like joining the euphoria.

I was just too busy to bother thinking about that.

But moments prior to the big day, I started to sense the splendor of the phenomenon. It’s like, a very great and important day was coming to town. The similar sensation to expecting Eid or Christmas. Only bigger, because it had been all around the media for the last one year.

And the people, I never felt such enthusiasm before. Maybe because it’s a once-in-300-years opportunity? I mean, in 30 years we still can see a partial solar eclipse, but as for TOTAL solar eclipse, on the same track that’s going on this year, well, it won’t happen again until year 2316 something.

It reminds me a bit to the part of Naruto I’m currently watching. There’s this project initiated by the villain to create an illusion moon (“Tsuki-no-me”) that can send anybody to the realm of imagination, where people can live inside their best dream forever, leaving the chaotic real life behind. I mean, well, it’s pretty different to what‘s happening now, as this Tsuki-no-me is obviously objected by people, while our solar eclipse phenomenon is positively expected. But the uproar of the anticipation feels the same.

The terrifying Tsuki-no-me. Pic's from here.

Well that’s what I was thinking.

Until today, exactly just now,

I saw the real eclipse.

No, I was at home. And Jakarta was only served with around 80% of the eclipse. Island of Belitung in the west, and city of Palu in the east, are the ones who were exposed to 100% of the eclipse. And both cities were aired by the national televisions.

It was pretty odd here at home. The morning sun feels like dusk, bright but sunset-like bright. And praises can be heard from nearby mosques. A situation I never felt before. I mean, it’s normal to catch Islamic praises in the morning, but when the situation feels like it’s about to get dark, it doesn’t happen everyday. Well but that’s all, no significant thing happened.

Knowing that I might not get the full experience of this solar eclipse, I switched to my TV because I knew I could get something more with it. And of course I was right.

The footage in Belitung and Palu, clearly showed how a total solar eclipse is supposed to be. From its partial form one hour before the full version, to the seconds when the moon fully covers the sun. It was pretty intense, and breathtaking. Especially when the my screen switched from a normal sunset moment screen –well, a ‘sunset’ at 7:30 am was not supposed to be normal but, yea– to a complete dark in one second. Literally in one second, as if there was a giant was suddenly standing in the way. Then the eclipse ring appeared on the TV. And people started to shout Lord’s name. And the news reporter cried.

I was just watching from home, but all those things that came out of my TV really touched me deep inside. A phenomenon once in our lifetime, was revealed before my eyes. I couldn’t imagine if I was actually there in either Belitung or Palu, standing upon an open air space, seeing the best dark of my life. I might shed a tear.

Well, I didn’t really have to be there to shed a tear.

I cried already, seeing all those on my screen.

Because you see, it was that beautiful.

The majestic total solar eclipse. Pic's from here.

Then you see, I was just stating the obvious throughout this post. You may be able to get these facts from news portal or something, mine is just explaining what I know –which is soo little– and not much about the scientific reasons of the phenomenon.

Still, I’d like to get in the mood of this total solar eclipse thingy.

It’s bad enough that I didn’t even bother thinking about traveling to Belitung or anywhere around Sumatra, just because I was busy with something I can always do again later. While this exact phenomenon, will never appear again in my life.

Thank God I still get to see it at least on TV.

Sensing how crowds crumbled in tears of gratitude.

Completely realizing the fact that they—I mean, WE,

We are TOTALLY nothing

Compared to Him

Oh, the Irony

Spot the pattern?

Top pics sources: here, here, and here.
Bottom's: here, here, and here.

Unless it's getting way out of hand and intolerable, I'm not going to discuss anything.

This time, let the picture talks.
I'll keep the words to myself

Hello, You Beautiful Thing

For you who started to think that I began losing interest in my “Conquering Indonesia” project, you’re wrong.

I know I skipped a month. After Harapan in May and Pahawang in June, I should have gone somewhere in July. But don’t you dare blaming me for that. My beloved office didn’t give me even one day off for Eid break so, ya, there I was, trapped in Jakarta while everybody else flew out and about.

Then came August, thank God, finally. Another long weekend was waiting for me in the middle of the month, and guess what—

It was the Independence Day of Indonesia.

What an occasion, no? That could be my chance to show how I really meant getting to know my own country. How I would explore my national treasure ‘till the last second of its big day, despite the fact that on the next day I should go back to my routine. It was just the time.

So I deliberated to myself, “hmm where can I go in just three days, somewhere colossal, and different from my previous two trips?”

I know.

K R A K A T A U

What’s not ‘colossal’ about this? I’ve been exposed to the name since I was still 8. One of those famous names printed on my social science modules along with Danau Toba, Way Kambas, Taman Laut Bunaken, Pulau Komodo—I mean, names like Ora, Derawan, or Raja Ampat were just noticed in recent years, but those four, as well as Krakatau, were classics.

As usual, the process to reaching Krakatau was also ‘colossal’. I booked a spot on an open trip long before my departure day on August 15^th, but guess what—on August 13^th, the operator told me that my reservation didn’t come in. Oh, what the hell, universe, please. Not today, not for the Independence Day, not when I have a long weekend to—done, I booked another spot with another operator, while my mouth kept complaining. And that is just why I love myself.

More obstacles got in my way. From super slow bus, freaking wheel pulled off of my ride to the pier –yes, it broke off the main body of the car, and I saw it rolling away from the road, amateur sailors, mosquito raids, annoying participants—God, there were so many obstacles.

But then, the ocean always knew how to soothe my anger.

Underwater Krakatau was mesmerizing. I must say that it wasn’t anything better than Pahawang or even Harapan but, I still felt that it was worth the sacrifices. I got down the water twice, and got up the boat with an amazing souvenir each: scratches, cuts and blood from the first spot, and - this one is crazy - a story of me crossing path with the most gigantic non-whale fish I ever seen with my very own goggle on the second spot. Once again, this one is crazy. Bad news was I didn’t bring any underwater cam so I couldn’t get any proof to the land but, I swear starting from now, I’ll make my own research about this fish.

So. Three days trip, in a colossal place…

What made it different from Harapan and Pahawang?

The majestic Anak Krakatau, that inherits the grandeur of its long gone mother.

I’m not a mountain guy. All these years, have you read anything mountainy? No. But this is a special case. I want something for this year’s Hari Merdeka. Plus this mountain is not that MOUNTAIN like Semeru, Kerinci and all those sleeping giants people seem kept hiking lately. Anak Krakatau is still a kiddo so guess what—amateurs including me, can climb the path all the way to the highest point allowed.

So right on August 17^th, my group and I trekked up Anak Krakatau. We all wore red and white outfits, brought our best spirit up the new mountain. And we had a little ceremony. Gathered together, sang “Indonesia Raya” and “Hari Merdeka” oh God, I got goosebumps when singing those. I even get chills on the back of my neck just now when I remembered that moment and typing it down here.

Then everybody got busy with their own photo session. I, remembering that I was on my own as usual, spent my time standing there, enjoying my on-top-of-the-world moment, seeing the endless horizon before my eyes. Mt. Rakata and Lang Island were there too, completing my scenery with their gallant existence. And the mighty sun slowly climbed up the sky of Lampung, was hidden behind clouds but somehow could find a way to break through and spot its fluorescent ray on Sunda Strait.

I never seen such picturesque landscape. It’s like the universe—the ocean, the hills, the mountain, the sky and the sun, were conspiring to make the most of my Independence Day contemplation.

It was calm, despite the crowd.

It was warm, despite the breeze.

Fuck, I really love this country.

Well.

The biggest fish I ever saw in Indonesian beach,

The biggest frame of Indonesia I ever saw from above.

Now guess what—

I’ll be back, you beautiful thing