Road to Soul Writing

The number of foreigners in Lombok is getting bigger each year. This number has created cultural mix. Lombok is getting more westernized so does with the foreigners that's getting more easternized. Being part of this mix culture has made me feel more globalized and more aware that I'm a world citizen.   It was a year a go, after teaching all female teachers at Nusa Alam were heading to Sophie’s house. We parked our rides at the back yard. When we arrived, some people were busy tidy up all of Sasak cakes—Kelepon, Putri Nyelem, Banget, Wajik and etc—on some wooden table in the garden, small sound system stood and was ready to play. On the terrace, two women were mixing some flowers and yellow grains. Some teachers take quickly initiative to help. When everything was ready Sophie picked Sarah up at Senggigi. Sarah was fitting her wedding dress accompanied by Michelle and Sonia.  About a half hour later, we could hear sounds of antique car parked in front yard garage....

On the higher ground, is set with paddy terraces as background and is under old frangipanis, lies a royal tomb from Pejanggik Kingdom, those are King Pemban Haji’s   and his royal family’s.   This grave is famously known as Serewa .   It is derived from refined Sasak word serioq which means “look”.   Serewa consists of nine rectangles. Eight rectangles are tomb and one rectangle is a water spot. The eight tombs are in various sizes. The longer rectangle is the more people lie in it. Generally, there are two grave stones represent one body that lie in a grave. These grave stones were curved in Balinese curving style and Buddhist touch.  The king’s tomb can be easily distinguished. It is forted by the iron fence and is the highest one. This tomb is next to a gazebo that is decorated in white fabrics. Under the gazebo, there is a stone and a soil made plate to put some offerings. This place is where the pilgrims make a wish and pray. This Royal cemet...

I pass Ampenan everyday when I go to work and I’m always in rush. I haven’t noticed this old special city until one Friday afternoon I read an article about three main cities in Lombok. Then in the following day, I drove my motorbike to the west, passed through the traffic jam, headed to Ampenan to find remains of its history. For the first time, I took a walk under sunny sky among some verdant old buildings that are influenced by Dutch architecture. There were some tables and chairs piled up in front; some street vendors were preparing their spots; some old men were chatting in Sasak while sipping their cigarette. I felt like I went back to the past, drifted to the story when it was a harbor city. Nowadays, Ampenan is the second biggest trading center in Lombok. This beach front city is inhabited by Chinese Indonesian, Arabic Indonesian, Javanese, Bugese and Sasaks. Besides, its black beach is still being the favorite place of local tourists. On the beach, there are some pill...

I hadn’t realized my middle finger was bleeding as I passed the bush that’s fully filled by shrub with thorny spikes. I kept carefully going up while concentrating to hear a stream.  In about thirty minutes, a narrow creek lies in front of me. It’s adorned by small cascade that fall over the stones, the water was very clear but I was puzzled and asking myself where the waterfall was.  Then I walked along the creek side, at the end I saw a light and I found myself stood on the top of the Timponan Waterfall. Before me thick tropical forest under the cloudy sky looked like green Turkish carpet. As I looked down, I could see the line of white foam flow ed on the black wall. I sat down on the big rock while enjoying the view and thinking about a path that could lead me to the area where the water fell. After regaining my energy, I went carefully down and tried several paths. I was trying hard to keep my balance as I walked down on the steep path. Roots were useful...

Gunung Runjani 3726 m-Lombok Island, Indonesia Photo by Daniel Hookins I was walking about 20 meters away behind from my group. I found myself in the middle of a misty mountain. My eyes tried to look through. There were only some trees and edelweiss looked obvious to me. And I realized that this place is still far away from the summit but I knew I would make to the top. I used to wondering a lot why people suffer themselves by climbing a mountain, why they walk through the woods on a narrow dangerous path and why they think it is a worth experience. This curiosity has forced me to find the answer.   On July 16 2013, a black shiny AVP picked me up at 5 0’clock in the morning. I was standing in front of my house with my Mom when the car arrived. I hugged my Mom before I left. “Sudah siap mbak Zi” said a Javanese man while opening the car door for me. I gave him only a smile. I was still sleepy.  The car headed to the south and stop in front of a huge gate. A...

Photo by Varian Fahmi It was 1 st of July 8. 43 pm, I drove fast from Santosa in Lombok Traditional costume just after attending APEC seminar. It took me 15 minutes to get Montong Kedaton. I knocked the door several times. From outside I could hear some people were laughing and chatting. Not awhile Brenda opened the door and as usual she always gave me her warm welcome.   She wore red t-shirt that’s written “10 Canada” with the picture of maple leaf on it. She looked through over my costume to check weather I have something red or white. Mmm lucky, there some red line on my shawl.   Then she took me to the back veranda. Adi, Mas Varian, Efi, lentera and Stuart were there. They were busy chatting, cuddling cat and eating some Nanaimo Bars—traditional Canadian dessert.   It looked Yummy. I tried some and I wanted more. I was fascinated with the party staff. Tissues, bottles, stickers that picture Canadian flag, Brenda also turned on his projector to portray map of Can...

Photo by Daniel Hookins It was quite cloudy when I drove to Senaru. Along the way I couldn’t clearly see the views around. It took me more than two and half hour to get there. The sky was still dark, the hour hand pointed to almost 12. My empty stomach couldn’t wait. I went to a forest front restaurant nearby which is part of Rinjani National park.   From this restaurant I could see the top of Sendang Gile Water Fall. I was absorbed with it. My empty stomach stopped rumbling. I sat quietly and felt the air touch my skin. A few minutes went by; a waiter in blue t-shirt came bring my fried rice. It was pretty tasty but I couldn’t finish it. I regained my energy easily. I left my motorbike in the parking area of the re staurant and walked to the waterfall gate that stands next to the restaurant. A middle age man passed me a ticket entrance after I gave him IDR 10.000. I fumbled my bag and grabbed my mosquito repellent lotion. Put it some on my calves and arms. From t...