How can you travel
Without any gloom and stress?
Take a window seat—
—
Window
Category: Map It!
Journey
Journey to the self
Takes a long and winding road,
Worth doing. Half done—
—
Human beings’ journey to understand one’s self is often unpredictable. I never wanted to visit Mecca and Medina yet because of my devotion to a mother, I agreed to go to ensure that she was safe and healthy. And the result was tremendous evolution of self. 💝
To Ibu: I miss you much today 😘
Alfatihah
Dinner
The night’s getting old.
The light’s getting bright. Road’s, too.
Breeze’s humming hymns.
—
After a long day, I invited the two friends working with me to have dinner together. Not a treat, just a shared dinner as each of us are bound to integrity pledge— Go Dutch! Respected and appreciated! 🙏🏼
A Lebanese restaurant was recommended by one of them whose girlfriend loves eating Lebanese and Turkish food. The other agreed with any. And so we drove to Halab Penang, a Lebanese restaurant located in Lebuh Chulia (Chulia Street).
Being a Christian, one prayed religiously before eating, the other one also Christian yet didn’t seem to whisper any. Me? I know my Beloved hears me even when I speak with no voice. 😊
Thanks for today! Remember, dear friends the power of “only positive vibes are entertained”. 😊
See you next time.
Alfatihah for you both. 💕
Disguised
Swaying then rocking,
You disguise either message
Bad or good. Still blessed—
—
Visit
Garden of the death
Where pray and wish are whispered
To eternity—
—
Feel Good
Don’t let anything and anyone be a happiness snatcher even if they hurt you unintentionally or intentionally.
—
Feel good is successfully deciphering the codes in my life.
Green Backyard
The green yard behind
Is where greets and smiles soft-land
On the plate and glass.
—
A Home before A Home
Wondered about home.
Has wandered finding a home.
She’s learnt she’s a home.
—
Feel good is feel home wherever she is.
Javanese Hungry Go Where in Yogyakarta
Just in case my kitchen is resting, here is a list of Javanese heaven on earth for my hungry stomach.
💝
- Omah Kayu, Jl. Pemuda 234 Wonosari, Gunungkidul
- Jejamuran Resto, Sleman
- Gubug Makan Mang Engking,
- angkringan pmm kaliurang
- Sate Klatak Mas Bari Pleret Bantul,
- Soto Sulung Cak Alim Jl. Adisucipto
- Gudeg Bu Hj Amad,
- Gudeg Yu Djum
- Gudeg Permata Bu Pujo, buka jam 9 malam, Gudeg Pawon Jl. Kusumanegara, ming buka jam 23:00
- Bebek Goreng Cak Koting, kidul jemb layang Lempuyangan,
- Bakmi mBah Mo Bantul
- Bakmi Kadin,
- Bakmi Pele, Alun2 Lor
- Ayam Geprek Mbok Moro cabang Terban
- Bakmi Jawa Pak Rebo Kintelan,
- Mangut Lele Bu Is Jetis
- Sate Goreng Ringin Kronggahan,
- Bakmi Jawa mBah Hadi Terban,
- Sate Ayam Cak Ali – Telogorejo
- Kepik Sawah : Jl. Godean KM 9, Senuko, Sidoagung – garang asem n belut balado, limun Tjap Orang Kaya, dll
21.Ayam Goreng Mbok Sabar Jagalan
22.Ayam Goreng Bu. Tini wetan ex Bioskop Permata, - Sate Jono Pakualaman
- Kopi Joss dan angkringan di lor Stasiun Tugu
- Wedang Uwuh, makam Imogiri,
26.Sego pecel UGM,7 - Lotek n Gado2 Teteg, Lempuyangan
- Kupat Tahu Pak Budi perempatan SGM,..
- Baceman kepala kambing p Kirman di belakang pasar Colombo
- Lotek bu Ning di jln Surokarsan
- Soto miroso,
- Nasgor & magelangan: bakmi doreng, Suryowijayan.
- Pecel wader dekat Bandara Adi Sucipto,
- Sayur Brongkos “Handayani” (mbak Tri, Alun2 kidul)
- Jadah Tempe kaliurang bu carik
- Wader Goreng Suko Jl.. Wonosari
- Soto kadipiro – Jl. Wates
- Gudeg Djuminten Kranggan
- Soto Pak Marto, Patangpuluhan
- Soto Pak Soleh Tegalrejo
41.Soto Gobyos Wetan Jembatan Gondolayu, - Sate ayam Pak Kromo
- Gudeg mercon
- Gudeg Tugu
- Bakmi Godog P.Juki Blimbingsari
- Ayam Geprek Mbok Moro cabang Durenan
- Ayam goreng mbah Cemplung, Gunung Sempu, Bantul
- Gulai Kambing Pasar Lempuyngan & Jakal km18
- Sate Kambing Samsuri Adisucipto
- Sate kambing Klatak Pak Pong, Wonokromo Bantul
- Sop kaki kambing depan RS Bethesda dan RS Panti rapih.
- Sate Ngasem Madukismo
- SEA FOOD KATOMBO, Sinduadi Mlati
- Bakmi mbak yuni stasiun
- Bebek goreng simpatik kranggan
- Sate ayam Jl Monjali dpn hotel Tentrem
- Nasgor kambing dkt panti rapih
- Nasgor Kambing, depanSMA Padmanaba
- Wader presto mbak jurri kalibawang
- Ingkung Kampung Ndeso, Pajangan Bantul
- Tengkleng Gajah di Wedomartani
- Mbah Gejrot Wonosari
- Nasi merah, empal, sayuran, sambal, dan tempe Bukit Bintang
- Bebek Goreng Gejayan Utara
- Jejamuan, Ginggang Paku Alaman
- Gudeg Cukupan seberang Saphir Square (hanya malam, lesehan)
- Soto bu Cip Patangpuluhan
- Rantengan bu wiryo beringharjo
- Warung masakan Jawa ibu Siput, Gondomanan
- Sea food baruna monjali
- Nasi Uduk Palagan (utara Monjali)
- Ayam Geprek Mbok Moro jl Bantul
- Sate Kambing Samirono
- Brongkos Bu Padmo Tempel Sleman
- Sate ayam Podomoro, Jl. Suryotomo Yogyakarta
- Sop ayam kampung Pak Min
- Bakso cap Kepala Kambing
- Soto Gumyak Selatan PMI Tegalgendu Kotagede
- Tongseng Sor Talok Manding Bantul
- Telur Tuna Hercules deket fak Teknik UGM
- Ramesan Warung Idjo Teteg Lempuyangan
- Siomay Mang Mudi Ringroad Per4an Jakal
- Siomay Kang Cepot Jakal
- Rawon EnaK Ringroad deket RSA UGM
- Soto Wonosari Condongcatur
- Soto Sapi Mbok Sarbini Piyungan
- Soto Ayam tan proyek Wonosari
- Soto lenthok dan raja sambel di seturan
- Sate dan Tongseng pak Dakir depan pasar Klitikan
- Bakmi Tongseng Balungan Sibitsu jln Bantul
- Sate Karang Kotagede
- Bakso & es teler Pathuk
- Seafood & rekreasi anak Banyumili Godean
- Waroeng Pohon, Jalan Parangtritis km 6
- Gudeg Pawon Janturan
- Oseng2 mercon KHA Dahlan
- Soto gobyos jl Bayangkara
- Ayam Goreng Bacem Code
- Kepiting Cak Gundul Jl Palagan
- Gudeg Ceker Gejayan
- Mangut Lele mbah Marto Geneng Sewon Bantul
- Sop janda jogja mlati sleman
- DA’IM DONUTS Jl. Kaliurang km 10.
- Siomay Kang Ujang, jalan Panjatkan dan jalan Ngasem.
- Warung Tongseng Ayam Kampung, Selatan Pasar Bantul
- SATE MBAH SO, Kota gede.
- SATE PAK MINTO, Jalan Wates.
- Bakmi mbah Gito, Pilahan.
- Warung Sego abang , jinak Semau Wonosari GK
GUDEG
- Gudeg Sagan (mbak Wati), Jalan Prof Johanes, Galeria Mall ke utara.
- Gudeg Bu Djuminten: Jl Kranggan 69
- Gudeg Bu Pujo (Permata): Jl Gajah Mada 11 (lesehan buka pukul 21.00)
- Gudeg Ceker Bu Nining: Jl A Yani 16
- Gudeg Ceker Bu Yanti: Jl Monjali
- Gudeg Ceker Sedep Raos: Jl Seturan 15 (warung tenda)
- Gudeg Cukupan Batas Kota: Jl Solo 28 (lesehan seberang Saphir Square)
- Gudeg Geneng Mbah Marto: Dusun Nengahan, Panggungharjo, Sewon, Bantul (belakang kampus ISI)
- Gudeg Kentungan: Jl Kaliurang km 5
- Gudeg Kuncen Bu Sri: Jl HOS Cokroaminoto (depan Apotik Kimia Farma)
- Gudeg Manggar Bu Hendro: Jl Hayam Wuruk (seberang Pasar Lempuyangan)
- Gudeg Manggar Pembayun: Mangir, Pajangan, Bantul
- Gudeg Mbarek Bu Hj Amad: Utara Selokan Mataram UGM
- Gudeg Mercon Ibu Tinah: Jl Asem Gede-Kranggan (buka pukul 20.00)
- Gudeg Pawon Jl. Prof Soepomo 36, Janturan (buka pukul 23.00)
- Gudeg yu Jum: Wijilan.
- Gudeg Tugu Bu Wagiyem: Jl Diponegoro (lesehan)
- Gudeg Wijilan Bu Lies: Jl Wijilan 5 (buka 24 jam)
- Gudeg Wijilan Bu Nur: Jl Wijilan
- Gudeg Wijilan Bu Slamet: Jl Wijilan 17
- Gudeg Yu Djum: Utara Selokan Mataram UGM
- Gudeg Yu Narni: Jl Kaliurang km 4,5 (lor Kehutanan UGM)
- Gudeg Yu Yah: Jl Magelang km 5 (warung tenda kidul Terminal Jombor)
- Rantengan Bu Warno: Jl A Yani (lantai 2 Pasar Beringharjo) & Jl Jagalan Beji PA I/43 Pakualaman
BAKMI
- Bakmi Pak Furqoni, Jalan Modang Jogokaryan
- Bakmi Doring: Jl Suryowijayan 348
- Bakmi Jokteng: Perempatan Pojok Benteng Barat
- Bakmi Jombor: Jl Magelang km 6,3 (Flyover Jombor)
- Bakmi Kadin Mbah Hj Karto: Jl Bintaran Kulon 6
- Bakmi Mbah Gito: Jl Nyi Ageng Nis, Rejowinangun
- Bakmi Mbah Hadi: SPBU Terban
- Bakmi Mbah Mo: Dusun Code, Kulon Perempatan Manding, Bantul
- Bakmi mBah Tris Manding Kidul, Trirenggo Bantul.
- Bakmi Mbah Wito: Dusun Kemoro Sari 1, Desa Piyaman, Wonosari
- Bakmi Mbak Yuni: Jl Wongsodirjan (lor Stasiun Tugu)
- Bakmi Pak Geno: Jl Parangtritis km 23 Patalan, Jetis, Bantul
- Bakmi Pak Harjo Geno: Pasar Prawirotaman
- Bakmi Pak Juki: Jl Yacaranda 1, Sekip (depan Apotik Gajah Mada)
- Bakmi Pak Juki: Depan SPBU Sagan
- Bakmi Pak Pele: Wetan Pagelaran Kraton, Alun-Alun Lor
- Bakmi Pak Rebo: Jl Brigjen Katamso 167, Kintelan
- Bakmi Shibishu: Jl Raya Bantul 106
- Mie Ayam Mas Yudi: Jl Taman Siswa 158
- Bakmi Jozz Krakitan, Ringinharjo, Bantul
- Mie Lethek Mbah Mendes: Jl Ringroad Utara (200 meter kulon Lotte Mart)
SOTO
- Saoto Bathok Mbah Katro: Jl Candi Sambisari, Purwomartani, Kalasan
- Soto Ayam Tan Proyek: Jl Raya Wonosari
- Soto Bangkong: Jl Magelang
- Soto Betawi Bang Darto: Jl Petung 33, Papringan
- Soto Betawi Bang Pitung: Jl Juminahan 12
- Soto Bu Cip: Jl S Parman 58
- Soto Djiancuk: Jl Tepi Rawa Kalibayam, Sonopakis, Ngestiharjo
- Soto Gobyos: Jl Bayangkara
- Soto Gumyak: Jl Imogiri Timur (kidul PMI Tegalgendu Kotagede)
- Soto Kadipiro: Jl Raya Wates 33 (sebelah kanan jalan arah ke Wates)
- Soto Kemasan: Jl Ringroad Selatan, Singosaren (dekat Terminal Giwangan)
- Soto Kudus: Jl Monjali (samping SPBU Monjali)
- Soto Kudus Gajah Mada: Jl Kaliurang km 8,7
- Soto Lamongan Cak Parno: Jl Lembah UGM Karangmalang D28
- Soto Lenthok 21: Jl Sugeng Jeroni
- Soto Lenthok 42: Jl MT Haryono 42
- Soto Lenthok Pak Karjo: Jl Prof Herman Johanes, Sagan
- Soto Miroso: Jl Adisucipto 168A
- Soto Moneter: Jl Ringroad Timur, Banguntapan (lor perempatan Kotagede)
- Soto Pak Marto: Jl Janti, Gedong Kuning (depan JEC)
- Soto Pak Marto: Jl S. Parman, Barat Plengkung Taman Sari (200 m kulon bangjo)
- Soto Pak Pur: Jl Nitiprayan, Ngestiharjo, Kasihan, Bantul (500 meter kidul IKIP PGRI)
- Soto Pak Sholeh Al-Barokah: Jl Wiratama 84, Tegalrejo
- Soto Sampah (Uwuh): Jl Kranggan (depan SPBU)
- Soto Sapi Mbok Sarbini: Jl Raya Wonosari, Srimulyo (dekat Pasar Piyungan Baru)
- Soto Sapi Pak Musthofa: Jl Magelang km 7 (lor Terminal Jombor)
- Soto Sapi Pak Sugeng: Jl HOS Cokroaminoto 185
- Soto Seger Mbok Giyem: Jl Adisucipto (depan Sheraton Mustika) & Jl Magelang km 8
- Soto Sulung Cak Alim: Jl. Adisucipto km 8,5 (depan Grand Quality)
- Soto Sulung Pak Malik: Jl Pasar Kembang (Parkiran Selatan Stasiun Tugu)
- Soto Sumuk: Jl Jend Sudirman (wetan Jembatan Gondolayu)
- Soto Wonosari Mbah Urip: Jl Rajawali Raya 74, Condongcatur
- Sop Ayam Kampung Pak Min
SATE
- Sate Ayam Cak Ali: Jl Kaliurang km 7
- Sate Ayam Cak Amat: Jl Hadidarsono, Kotabaru
- Sate Ayam Monjali: Jl AM Sangaji (depan Hotel Tentrem)
- Sate Ayam Pak Kromo: Jl Mayor Suryotomo 3
- Sate Ayam Podomoro: Jl Mataram 11
- Sate Djono: Jl Masjid Pakualaman 7
- Sate Goreng Ringin: Kronggahan, Jombor, Mlati (Terminal Jombor ke barat lalu ke utara)
- Sate Kambing Mbah Darmo: Jl Solo (wetan bandara)
- Sate Kambing Monjali: Jl Monjali 106 (lor bangjo Jembatan UGM)
- Sate Kambing Pak Dakir: Jl HOS Cokroaminoto 75 (depan Pasar Klitikan)
- Sate Kambing Pak Syamsuri: Jl Anggrek, Sambilegi, Adisucipto
- Sate Kambing Samirono: Jl Colombo 105
- Sate Karang Pak Prapto: Jl Nyi Pembayun, Lapangan Karang, Kota Gede
- Sate Klatak Pak Bari: Pasar Desa Wonokromo, Jl Kedaton, Pleret, Bantul
- Sate Klatak Pak Mus: Jl Stadion Sultan Agung, Pleret, Bantul
- Sate Klatak Pak Pong: Jl Stadion Sultan Agung, Pleret, Bantul
- Sate Klatak Pak Yakut: Ruko Griya Alvita, Jl Wates km 3
- Sate Kuda Gondolayu: Jl Jend Sudirman 25 (kulon jembatan)
- Sate Kuda Pak Kuntjoro: Jl Kranggan 64A
- Sate Ngaglik: Jl Kaliurang km 10 (depan kecamatan)
- Sate Ngasem: Jl Keloran, Bugisan, Tirtonirmolo, Ringroad Selatan
- Sate Padang Asli: Jl Kaliurang km 5,6 (dekat HokBen)
- Sate Padang Mamak Sharil: Jl Sultan Agung, Pakualaman
- Sate Padang Salero: Kawasan Stadion Mandala Krida
AYAM
- Ayam Asap Kuah Santan: Jl Gito Gati 100 (lor Hotel Hyatt)
- Ayam Bakar Bu Ning: Jl Taman Siswa (warung tenda)
- Ayam Geprek Mbok Moro
- Ayam Bakar MG 22: Jl Sisingamangaraja 22B (seberang Kantor Pos Mergangsan)
- Ayam Goreng Bu Tini: Jl Sultan Agung 17, (wetan bekas Bioskop Permata)
- Ayam Goreng Kampung Bugisan: Jl Bugisan Selatan 42 (depan SMKI)
- Ayam Goreng Mbah Cemplung: Sembungan RT 05 Bangunjiwo, Kasihan, Bantul
- Ayam Goreng Mbok Berek Kalasan: Jl Solo km 14,5 (samping Panti Rini Ziekenhuis)
- Ayam Goreng Mbok Berek Pawirodikoro: Jl Pugeran Timur 24
- Ayam Goreng Mbok Sabar: Jl Jagalan
- Ayam Goreng Mentega Lie Djiong: Jl Brigjen Katamso
- Ayam Goreng Ninit: Jl C Simanjuntak 20, Terban (depan Karita)
- Ayam Goreng Ny Suharti: Perempatan Rejowinangun, Gedong Kuning
- Ayam Goreng Pak Ndut: Jl C Simanjuntak 29, Terban
- Ayam Goreng Putra Rantau: Jl Wirosaban (wetan rumah sakit)
- Ayam Goreng Suharti: Jl Adisucipto (samping turunan Flyover Babarsari)
- Ayam Goreng Tojoyo 3: Jl Urip Sumoharjo 133 (depan Empire XXI)
- Ayam Kremes Mbak Ning: Jl Gajah Mada 1 (kulon bekas Bioskop Permata)
- Ayam Panggang 3 Berku: Jl Kusumanegara 185
- Ayam Panggang Bu Ning: Jl Godean km 5
- Ingkung Kampung Ndeso Mbah Cempluk: Dusun Santan, Desa Guwosari, Pajangan, Bantul
BEBEK
- Bebek Goreng Cak Koting/Bu Meti: Jl Dr Sutomo (kidul Flyover Lempuyangan)
- Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut: Jl C Simanjuntak 29, Terban
- Bebek Goreng Pak Saring: Dalam Pasar Lempuyangan
- Bebek Goreng H Slamet: Jl Pangeran Mangkubumi
- Bebek Goreng Pak Slamet: Jl Affandi (Gejayan Utara)
- Bebek Goreng Simpatik: Jl Diponegoro (depan Pasar Kranggan)
GADO2/PECEL/LONTONG
- Gado-Gado Bu Hadi: Jl A Yani (lantai 2 Pasar Beringharjo)
- Kupat Tahu Pak Budi: Jl Kusumanegara (perempatan SGM)
- Lontong Sayur Padang: Jl Ipda Tut Harsono, Timoho (dekat RM Barokah)
- Lotek Bu Ning: Jl Surokarsan
- Lotek MM UGM: Depan MM UGM
- Lotek Sagan: Jl Sagan Kidul 23 & Jl Danau Tempe V/8
- Lotek Teteg Lempuyangan Bu Is: Jl Argolubang 184 Gg Delima GK IV/196 Baciro (depan SPBU)
- Pecel Baywatch Mbah Warno: Kasongan, Bantul
- Pecel Lele: Jl Patangpuluhan 21
- Pecel Senggol: Jl A Yani (pintu gerbang Pasar Beringharjo)
- Pecel SGPC Bu Wiryo 1959: Utara Selokan Mataram UGM
- Pecel Wader: Jalan Masuk Bandara Adisucipto
BAKSO/PEMPEK
- Bakso Pak Teguh, depan pasar Prawirotaman Yogyakarta (buks sore jam 17.00)
- Bethesda: Jl Yohanes Nurhadi (kulon rumah sakit)
- Bakso Idolaku: Jl Taman Siswa 138
- Bakso Jawi Bu Miyar: Jl Sultan Agung 9
- Bakso Kuning Gading: Jl Abubakar Ali 2A, Kotabaru
- Bakso Malang Berkah: Jl Nusa Indah, Condong Catur
- Bakso Pak Jam: Ironayan, Banguntapan, Bantul (samping masjid)
LODEH WADER – Warung HANYA Jl. Parangtritis km 6,5 (utara kampus ISI), - EMPEK-EMPEK Nonyan Kamto di Malioboro Mal
l dan Selatan Ramai Mall…
-Angkringan RUBY JOGLO
Jalan Nanggulan
And many more….❤
Levelled
Terraced hilly fields
Build levels, reduce runoff.
Beautifully strong—
—
Good Roots
Good roots are strong roots
Supporting those on the soil.
They won’t be betrayed.
—
This trip is incredibly beautiful. Meeting best friends is more than anything. We talk. We laugh. We eat. We visit places. We engage with people.
One of my best friends who will be my neighbour in my humble abode is one of best human beings I’ve ever known. She lives to humbly serve humanity. She dedicates her life to help the underprivileged. She is so patient about what others do to her and always in understanding mode. She is so passionate in doing what she is doing to help others.
Among all her non profit projects that are my favourite is opening library in a small village that is functioning as youth center at the same time and supporting buruh gendong (traditional female labours who are paid to carry things either by sellers or buyers in Yogyakarta traditional markets, most of them are senior) in some traditional markets in Yogyakarta. If time allows me to live as long as I wish, our agreement is I will teach free classes of English, Japanese, leadership and management system in her youth center, while occasionally going with her from one market to another to greet the buruh gendong. Yet as an artist she is also teaching (mostly) women on how to make artistic products for sale to support themselves financially.
In this trip we discuss a lot about what we should do to ourselves and others but we can’t because of immovable blockages. We also talk about how we can feel good no matter bad a situation is. We talk about what will happen if the youth are not aware of what lies in their future at the same time we concern about how children around us get mature faster than we did before. And all always last long although with only a glass of tea, a cup of Javanese coffee and some pieces of local snack.
Life is too precious to focus on what doesn’t serve us good anymore. Life is too short to lament of any loss that is truly never loss. Life is too grand to just be sad of how that that we love disrespects us. Life is just too beautiful to consider what is not real.
So thankful for how real my best friends are in helping others. So thankful to be part of their spirit. So thankful that we are ordinary people in this grand life. So thankful that we are a grain of sand in the vast shore. So thankful that we accept who we are. So thankful that we are strong roots for each other.
Thank you, dear friend. It is good to always have a question “so what is our plan and action?” 💝
Alfatihah.
Good Day
What will you do on one bright day? Anything but feel no good.
—
Jakarta
Always love this city
Where work is in moving cars,
Finished in toll gates.
—
What is Jakarta about? Heavy traffic? Better in some way. Flood? Better in some way. People? Always happy, optimistic and witty no matter what!
Nothing beats feel home. 💝
A Dream
A dream is shadow
Who is loyal to the light,
Acting as the dark.
—
Weekend is always the second best after everything even when it is cloudy and full of rain everyday. 💝
Andalusia
Lines of orange trees
Tell stories of a city
With its bright fruit juice.
—
Library
Opening the door,
She finds books and thesaurus
Stacked high to the sky.
—
What else is this life mainly but library? Read your books! 💕
“Read your books” is excepted from one Quran verse “Read your records (the word kitabaka can also mean your books or your scrolls). You alone are sufficient this day to take account of yourself” that implies self observation, self evaluation, self assessment, self correction.
Ouch! An internal audit it is — becoming the auditor and the auditee: acting different roles in the same place using different points of view. Doable and sustainable! 😍
May all beings be happy.
Silk Road
Silk road, Beloved,
A bumpy road to a heart
Laughing at a joke—
—
In a silk shop in Hanoi a conversation happened.
Me: (silently questioning whether the silk offered was truly silk from Dalat or “silk” from somewhere in China)
Shopkeeper: How do you like it, Madam?
Me: I love it. But to help me make decision, would you mind answering my question? I hope this won’t offend you.
Shopkeeper: Certainly, Madam.
Me: Is this silk truly from Dalat?
Shopkeeper: Yes, Madam. It is from Dalat, my parents’ hometown. Why, Madam?
Me: Not from China?
Shopkeeper: (laughing) We received the same question from another customer before. I am not surprised. Trust me it is Vietnamese silk, not Chinese product…. (She made a joke about “silk” then continued her long explanation of silk industry in Vietnam and her family business history and brought some samples of old silk that had been kept since her grand grand parents started production.)
She was able to convince me relatively well and my decision was buying one pretty white piece. White silk won’t go wrong to attend my nephew’s wedding in December! 🥰
May all beings be happy.
A Guest
A guest, Beloved,
Makes host happy yet confused.
Smile sweet and thank, too.
—
I’ve met hosts with different types of personality or characteristics. When the host is a person, it’s just about that particular person. When the host is a company, it shows me the company culture or local culture.
I’ve got a few “cute” treatment from some hosts.
One company in Koka was informed that I’m a Muslim. My colleague told them “Rike eats halal, please find the food source from now.” They didn’t clarify to me and just followed that pranking colleague blindly. And in my 3-day visit they fed me halal food they ordered online and had to be delivered long trip to that remote area.
“Is it good, Rike-san?” The host asked me on the last day.
“Do you expect honest or polite answer?” said I laughing.
“Be honest please ha ha…”
“I tried NN-san’s food from your canteen. I love your food much much better. This online food tasted good but didn’t taste fresh.” It was impolite like hell for most Japanese host I guess. 😂
“Our canteen food is not halal. I’m sorry about the online food.” He must have wanted to commit suicide after that. 😁
Then I started preaching what halal meant to me. And they said they would not order the halal food for me anymore and give me their canteen food the following years. 😂
—
The second was one company knowing I’m a Muslim as informed by the branch in Malaysia. So they knew I pray although they never knew I only pray when wanting to.
So they brought me to a small room to do afternoon prayer. I asked if they have Muslim employees so they had the room, they said it was prepared for me. They moved out table, chairs and other cultural ornaments. 🙇🏻♀️
The first day I prayed, the other days they asked if I would pray. I said no. Then again I preached what type of Muslim I was and they nodded heads looking confused— they might think how would a human being can be this obedient yet disobedient to her God.
—
The third is also about being a Muslim. I came with 6 other people for 2 days and the company gave me fruit salad while giving nice beef/chicken/pork, egg, vegetable, rice lunch to others. They said they only had salad as halal food and no restaurant near the industrial area cooks halal and non halal food separately.
My colleagues explained that I could eat this and that but “not pork only”. So the next day they provided my favourite Vietnam spring roll with “vegetable and pork” not “pork only”. I left the lunch box untouched and went back to the yummy salad. I’ll come back next year, please give me pho. 😁
—
Some people are so naive not knowing what to do and deciding to do their bestest best to respect the guests. God bless them.
I enjoy being a (not so good) Muslim. Misunderstood but still well treated by those willing to respect others. God bless you! 💝
Salaam….
Guessing
Guessing, Beloved,
The least inaccurate points
Of mangosteen seeds—
—
That’s what we call “tebak buah manggis”, guessing game to decide whether the number of sections at the bottom of the fruit accurately matches the number of seeds inside. Mostly matching, yet this time it is not! 😆 Life is sometimes unpredictable even with good database; anomaly is a rule whose patterns are not yet formulatable oops formulated by human beings — please excuse my English, I’m not a native. 🙃
Like someone we love. We thought they are 6, in fact they are 5.
Fair enough to say: seldom expect accuracy in estimation; better be sufficiently into the least inaccuracy so it won’t drop one down to abyss when finding inaccurate things. I’m trying to be wise as myself for myself about myself. 🥰
Oh dear, mangosteens!
Playground
Playground, Beloved,
Where crickets find the shelters,
Light heart run around—
—
Back to my playground — am I the crickets hiding from the stomping feet of the children playing? Or the the light-hearted children stomping their feet around?
Comfort comes in different ways to different people.
May all beings be happy.
Prime Crime
Partners in crime, Love
Sail from torii to torii.
A ship of good friends—
—
Little Bird
Little bird, dear love,
Telling her to soar then go home
To where her heart is—
—
Home. Is it a what, a who, a whom, a whose, a which, a when, a where or a how? She knows hers and it doesn’t always the same as others’. 💝
Greeting
Greeting, Beloved,
Cool breeze sweeping the valley
Moisturised by dew—
—
Surprise
Daruma city
You’ve witnessed left eyes were drawn.
Wish me the right ones.
–
A group of people in Takasaki wished me a happy birthday in an online meeting. A real surprise that made my day! I almost cried of happiness! 🥺
This evening one of them went back to Tokyo and she sent me messages with photos taken in Takasaki station. Another sweet surprise!
ありがとうございます, AWさん。また来年お会いしましょう！
Looking forward to a set of daruma dolls of different colours I ordered from Amazon (because of cancelled plan to buy them in its original city). Not a real surprise but hope the dolls give me a little shade of surprise! 🤩
Salaam.
Dream Home (lunch break)
Dream home, Beloved,
Sitting with all senses on,
Capturing moments—
—
Lunch break + very very heavy rain = early wish of birthday getaway to come true!
To be continued with more destinations in 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034, 2035, 2036, 2037, 2038, 2039, 2040, 2041, 2042, 2043, 2044, 2045, 2046, 2047, 2048, 2049, 2050, 2051, 2052, 2053, 2054, 2055, 2056, 2057, 2058, 2059, 2060, 2061, 2062, 2063, 2064, 2065…. As if I knew how long I will wander around here? I hope to live as long as time is mentally and physically enjoyable with family and friends without bothering them.
Long life, fresh and sane!
Then came the calculation part…. A lot of coins to spend to comfortably celebrate that way in those particular places. Easy! Just need a clover pendant to make it happen. 😝
Thanks for the rain and daydream. I know there is more than meets the eye! Life is so rich and I accept all the gifts.
Dream Home (ranting)
Dream home, Beloved,
A place where nature meets hearts;
Hearts warmly greet souls—
—
The conversation with a long lost friend came to a topic of “where we want to live if ending living alone?”
Living in Singapore was never part of my dream. A visit in 2010 gave me impression that I would die of hunger in a week with Indonesia salary. 😁
Now this city is a lovely second home; my impression has changed. I won’t die because of hunger but I will die because of loneliness if I stay single retiring here. I still can’t find enough friends like those in home country. There are three but all of them will retire in Bali and New Zealand sooner than me.
Residing in a landed property where gardening and backyard dining is affordable is a preference, yet I don’t have the luxury of living in such place here. And I don’t want to die alone in a locked condo found rotten after days or even weeks. Oh God, please protect me from such horrible thing. Amen….
F: I’ve always wanted to live in Ubud and it will happen very soon. I’ll open a spa with all traditional herbal from all over Indonesia. I’ll quit my job soon. I want to live my own life as me, no one can tell me to do this and that anymore! No bloody politics anymore! Visit me often! You’ll find my spa super special! I’ll give you discount! Be a regular customer! Hey! You once wanted to live in Thailand?
Me: Someone informed me about a good property in low price near my favourite hotel in Ayutthaya. Yet Thai have controversial life style I’m not comfortable with in a way. I’m too simple, sometimes too honest and can be against those status-oriented that I might not be able to adapt well. Not a true dream! Hey! Actually love to live in Kyoto!
F: You’ll die in three months after you complete second round of shrine, temple and ancient house hopping! 😂
Me: Dying of walking! 😂
What a refreshing conversation! And yes, I’ll visit her spa soon! 😍
Lesson learnt: Will only live with those I love and loving me where home is a real feel. No excuse.
Salaam…. 💝
In Harmony
In harmony, love,
The art, the breath, the weather
With the city vibe—
—
I prefer enjoying the artistic vibes of a city to enjoying the crowd of its party or clubbing. People’s effort to entertain others through art on the street while at the same time earning a living is more humane than people’s effort to escape from their allegedly humdrum life by forgetting who they really are (my humble opinion).
May all beings be happy. 💝
Dear Lover
Lover, Beloved,
With whom air and joy is shared,
By whom tears soon dried—
—
Being excited about solo travel wished in near future has made me remember places visited alone years ago. One of them is Madrid. Exciting one! Also ridiculous one! This trip was where I had: Korean food for lunch (my hunger came earlier, while people in Madrid have lunch at around 2pm so the most recommended Madrid restaurant was not open yet), Chinese silk bought (order from my beautiful best friend who was craving for it), lapis lazuli earring studs purchased for €80 (found them only S$40 in Lucky Plaza, might be only IDR300,000 in Jakarta), walking around the same street 4 times to find one place that was shown very clearly in Google Map…. I was lost in mind because of too many handsome faces on the road 😂
Madrid though won’t be a city I will go alone anymore. This place is too romantic to go without a lover.
One more thing, be careful of pickpockets! Too many, too many!
Salaam. 💝
Dove Peace
Dove peace, Beloved,
Not dove’s! It’s ours projecting
What we can’t achieve—
—
Sweet!
Peaceful, Beloved,
Sitting remembering you
In this sweet silence—
—
Sometimes just don’t get it why Japanese is like that but now accepting it as it is a culture with which a nation is built and shaped based on nature and history; like a Korean being a Korean, a Javanese being a Javanese, an English being an English, a Vietnamese being a Vietnamese, etc. As long as it doesn’t disturb loyalty and integrity, it’s ok. 🥰
rike jokanan 
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