Travel with Irwan

Sofia Ngawul My mother and I had prepared our clothes, bread and water in my backpack. Blacky, my old-fashioned motorbike had been freshly repaired as its old fashioned problems had been so annoying. But now we were all ready to set off for the two and a half hour journey to visit my mom’s cousin who had been sick for a while. One of the main things we could not forget to bring was the medicines we had bought b ased  on the recommendations of the doctor, to carry to the Lumu, where my mother’s cousin had spent her life while suffering from diabetes. All packed, we put on our face masks and helmets ready to leave Ruteng for Lumu. When we were about to get on the motorbike, my Mom’s phone rang and she had to pick up a call from an unknown number.  Within a few seconds I saw my mom’s face dropped and her eyes reddened. I immediately asked “What happened?” My Mom replied “She’s dead.”  But who? I continued to ask. “Mama Esti” she answered, with tears dropping do...

During my break after spending three weeks working in the fields in Wakos, I came back to my home in Ruteng to relax and enjoy some time with my family. At noontime, I decided to visit the reading house which is located just a few minutes away from my home. Yes, Rumah Baca Aksara is the name of that place where I could find books to read, located on the outskirts of my small town. My steps slowed as I approached the house. I couldn’t believe my eyes seeing so many newly planted vegetables by the front yard of the building. Green beans tied up by bamboo to grow, some new seeds in the bags, used bottles to fence the vegetables, coffee flowers spreading their scent strongly, and flowers set beautifully around to welcome guests before entering the house.  There was a clear message appeared in my mind, that this is how a reading house should be. This feeling would undoubtedly give anyone a warm welcome. The building of Rumah Baca Aksara ( Source ) Just a year ago before this Rumah Bac...

Coffee drinking habit in East Manggarai is very well known with its “ Kopi Pa’it”  or drinking coffee without sugar. If you happen to visit your neighbors, do not expect to have sugar put into your cup of coffee, it is total black coffee that every host serves their guest. No day without drinking black coffee, that is a simple sentence to describe how much people consume “ Kopi Pa’it ”, in the morning after breakfast, during the day after lunch, and in the noontime. This is totally different from other places in Flores that coffee is usually mixed with sugar. For me drinking coffee without sugar is a true fascination. It not a matter of taste but community. It unites and just like most people saying life is begun after coffee. Sitting closer to furnace for heating the body in the morning before going for sunshine is my common activity before going to work. Sharing stories while keeping the woods fire is worth the time. source In Ntangis East Manggarai, almost all people spend...