Madiun...

Madiun, where you can find the best Pecel all over Indonesia. A small city in East Jakarta that I never thought I’d ever go to. But thanks to my dear college friend, Pipit, who got married and celebrated her wedding in the city, I finally got around to visit. By the way, CONGRATULATIONS PIPIT AND RAHMAD!!!

I left from Gambir station on Friday at 18.00 and arrived at 05.00 on Saturday morning. Not much to do to kill time once I got there, especially when you can go just about anywhere in flat 15minutes (that's how long it takes to circle the whole city).
Saturday morning was Siraman. This is a very traditional Javanese wedding, mind you. So the ceremony is quite complicated. Pipit was drenched down. No less than 7 elderly relatives were honored to shower her with Air Kembang, this they say, to cleanse her inner self so she would be ready for her marriage life. I never thought I’d enjoy Javanese weddings ceremony before, but this one was very interesting. Siraman ended about time for lunch. And after helping myself for some delicious meal they have prepared for their guests, I took off.

After circling the city looking for souvenirs (what else but the famous Sambel Pecel, Brem Madiun, Madumongso, and Nting-Nting kacang), I ended up riding that poor becak with a big box full of souvenirs (still doubted myself how I’m going to take everything home, all by myself).


Saturday night was Akad Nikah or most people there call it Ijab Kabul. Pipit said her vows, and Rahmad said his, all witnesses confirmed before Penghulu, and they were legally married. The ceremony was over within 1 hour. And left me (again), wondering, how can I spend the rest of this yet still lovely evening? And sadly, I chose to go back to the hotel…


Sunday morning was yet another interesting ceremony. Temu Manten was the one ceremony in which the Bride was displayed in the “Pelaminan” while waiting for her Groom who was about to enter. As both people walk towards each other, they would have to throw this banana leaf knot to each other. They said this symbolizes who liked whom first, or perhaps, who would be dominant in the marriage. Whatever, it was a crowd! Two well-dressed people throwing things at each other, and afterwards walk side-by-side to welcome their guests. Wow…
Temu Manten also finished around noon. But this time, I was determined not to go back to the hotel but I went with some friends I met there. We had a huge lunch in Magetan. That’s only like 30 minutes from the heart of Madiun. Not much to see, but the food was great there.

1 hour before the reception, we went back to I’s place (that’s Pipit’s high school friend who also works in Jakarta now), Rp drove us all. The Reception was held at Graha Bhakti Praja, the biggest and most famous Hall in Madiun. Once we enter the room, it felt like the whole Madiun people were there. It was so crowded, and I suddenly felt so out of place. What’s a person like me doing here, all by myself. I couldn’t wait to go back home. But Rp said it would only take 5minutes from the Hall to the train station, I better wait there.

Anyway...
22.00 Sunday night. It’s finally time for me to go back home. Jakarta, here I come!!!

What can I say about Madiun? The fact that it made me miss the fast paced and crowded Jakarta? Or that I spent the whole weekend there (almost) all by myself (no thanks to a certain person who cancelled 3 hours before the departure…)?
Or is it the fact that it made me realize just how good I felt riding Becak and felt the hard wind blowing my un-made hair? Or simply that I enjoyed the serene city, and that I enjoyed the wedding ceremony so much, that I want to shout to that dear friend “Hey, Kn, you missed A LOT!”

Jakarta...
I would never trade living in this high crime rate city nor would I trade having to storm the traffic for like 1.5 hours (max) before I get to work, nope, not for that too tranquil town.
But, you know, one day I wouldn’t say no to coming back there again, and perhaps this time, I’m not going to miss Jakarta so soon…

Thanks Pit...