Lebaran yang aneh...

Today, the 1 of Oct 2008 is one of the Holy Day of Islam, The Iedul Fitr Day. After one full month doing fasting, today we all celebrate our success defeating our evils inside.

Usually, I celebrate the day with my whole big family in Bandung. It was so fun, all from aunties, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews gathering in one of the eldest family member, and eating a lot of dishes that only can be found on Lebaran Day. Well, not exactly only can be found, but its special dishes on Lebaran Day. Without it, its not a Lebaran. Like Ketupat, Opor Ayam, Sambel Goreng Ati, Rujak cuka, Nastar and Kaastengel. 

But..... unfortunately, this year's Lebaran, I have to spend the day wierdly.... First, i have to ride a whole way to Kobe to Sholat Ied. Its more than 2 hours ride by electric train (densha) from wakayama... since today is not a holiday in japan, so its a helly crowded in each station.... people get to work were so determined and rushed scared me off. i have to change my train (fortunately) just once in Osaka-eki. and i almost squashed out... finally, after the struggle with sweat and blood, i managed to get to The Sanbo Hall, the place held the Idul Fitri Prayer...

I started as an alien, but i ended with couple of new indonesian friends... It just the feeling that you're abroad that bond us together... I met with several women in Sanbo Hall. I met with Bu Dian, she's Garuda Representative Officer's wife of Kansai area, soshite Indri, she's a trainee from australia but has indonesian nationality and last Tita.  she's a indonesian housewife married with a japanese man. 

well, after the prayer, the three of us (me, Indri and Tita) walking down the street to Sannomiya station to grab an ice cream waffle. Meanwhile, we chat idlely here and there about ourselves. What i dont understand was the connection between us, liked we've met before and its just our reunion. not our first time. Weird, huh?

Well, its just the beginning...

when we arrived in Sannomiya Shopping street and looking for for the waffle booth, we cant find it. instead, we find many clothing stores. they had many cute and good stuffs, but i cannot buy it. its just too expensive. i rather keep my money and buy it in indo. and.... we met yakuza!! maybe not real one but still, kinda doki doki... hehe...

unfortunately, Tita got to go coz her mum inlaw, ask her to bought sum wrap buttons in Kyoto which is half hour ride in densha. kinda far for just sum button, eh? and then, after we split up, the remain of us ( me and indri) went to sum cafe to grab some tea and cake. we dont want to eat coz we ate somekind of indonesian dish but have no taste in it in Sanbo hall.

We assumed that since its cake slice, it wont make us full. but, i tell you something, never assume about food in japan. What we saw in the menu, goes whole way differently in reality. We ordered Ceylon Tea and Chocolate Maron cake for me and Earl Grey and Maron Crepes Cake for Indri.  When our order came, both of us shocked. The cake slice was so big. I mean really big. Not the itsy bitsy tiny winy cake usually served in cafe. Fortunately (or unfortunately?) it taste very good. very yummy until the last bite. we already full on the half way through the cake, but its too good to wasted. so we forced ourselve to eat it, slowly. phhewww... we ended so full until we barely cant walk! haha.... but its worthed though...

After the cake session, we have to split up coz Indri has japanese class to attend. ( I guess her lebaran was wierder than mine. Nobody has to attend anything during lebaran in Indo, rite?). And then, I continue my journey to Osaka jou, a.k.a Osaka castle. When I arrived at Osaka jou koen Station, i remember that i have to call Mazumoto san, my parents' foster parent when they lived in Japan 15 years ago. So i called him, not sure whether the number still active or they still remember my parents.

but, apparently, he still remembered them. and he asking me alot about me and my parents. he scolding me not to call him before, coz in few days, i'll leave japan. and he also scolding my dad, not to call or write him letter. he also told me bad news. his wife was slipped and has to stay in hospital for few days. I thought that i heard him lil bit cry. but i'm not sure. he said he was worried about my mum n dad. well, i think its just sweet. we ended the conversation in promise that we gonna call each other soon.

After, i went to the castle. Since its not a holiday, so its not crowded, but still many people. mostly foreigners. I cant say much for this part other than wow... the castle was so beautifully preserved, the park, the pond surround also beautiful. and finally I saw the willow trees!! wow... after years only read on books or heard from poets, i finally saw and touched it. it was really as pretty as what they said. 

just wow wow wow.....