Ken Andari

“Surya Kencana is a beautiful place. It’s a valley surrounded by green hills and blue sky. Yellowish grassland, and flower beds of edelweiss! Can you imagine that? But that’s just a dayview. In the night, for me, Surya Kencana’s just getting more and more beautiful. You can see dozens of stars twinkling above you. Stars you’ve might never seen before. They were so close; it seems like I can pick it one for you. One day, you must go there and feel the wind of eternity!” That’s how Rezza always told me about Surya Kencana, one of his most favourite places. He said he always wanted to go back. I was so curious. And I don’t have to wait any longer, because tomorrow, he will bring me there! Surya Kencana is an edelweiss valley, located in the east-side of Mount Gede summit. Most of Gede climber went from Gunung Putri Post, loved to stop here just to take rest and enjoy its beauty, before they continue to summit. My journey started on Friday, September 17th 2010. A week ago. I'm no...

Mendengar kata lebaran, apa yang ada dalam pikiran kita? Hmm...tentu saja, mudik! Baju baru! Salam tempel! Pernak-pernik! Kue lebaran! Ketupat! Opor ayam! Di Indonesia, Hari Raya Idul Fitri atau yang disebut juga Hari Lebaran memang selalu meriah. Banyak tradisi lebaran yang masih lestari hingga kini, dan banyak di antara tradisi tersebut yang (menurut saya) cenderung berlebih-lebihan. Apakah karena itu Hari Raya Idul Fitri di Indonesia disebut Hari Lebaran? Orang seringkali memaksakan mudik, beli baju baru untuk keluarga, menyiapkan salam tempel, bikin kue, dan masak masakan enak demi merayakan ”kemenangan”. Setelah sebulan berpuasa, di hari lebaran bisa makan sepuasnya. Si anak yang berpuasa sebulan penuh, dijanjikan hadiah uang plus baju baru. Salam tempel juga disiapkan untuk anak, keponakan, dan sanak saudara yang kalau dihitung-hitung, jumlahnya jauh melampaui sedekah kita selama Ramadan. Bagi saya, ini jadi seperti ”balas dendam”. Di keluarga kecil saya, penyambutan lebaran tah...