Footnotes in Black and White

Vertical Side

2010-01-17T18:05:00.002+07:00

No, it's only about side project.

Since a long time, I always like Panoramic, and onetime I struck into books called New York Vertical, Paris Vertical and Vertical View by Horst Hamann.

And as you know me, which try to imitate anything, then I make my own version of Vertical but not panoramic, I only have few pictures of vertical panoramic, so it's better called vertical because not all my vertical pictures are panoramic.

It is here

Meet Some Friends #5 - End Of Stories And Behind The Scene

2009-12-16T15:45:00.006+07:00

Walking around, our feet brought us to Ceramics and Art Museum. It located in front of Museum Fatahillah. The ceramics, paintings and many art forms collection were vast but lack of air conditioning, dehumidifier, writings and explanation. it seems that all the art forms were put there and that's it!.

And behind the scene you could see me, my friends in front of this museum, taking ice tea and ice cream. We then departed, I took a train back to Bogor, Alex and Aga went for swimming, the rest were going to mall by Trans Jakarta.

So long friends!

Meet Some Friends #4

2009-12-16T15:15:00.005+07:00

So we went to Museum Fatahillah. It was very popular to some photographers for the buildings and also for pre-wedding shoots location.

I saw some attractions while there, some kind of Kuda Lumping, but what shocked me was some children were part of the attraction.

Meet Some Friends #3

2009-12-07T17:49:00.009+07:00

So we walked down from Rail Station to Taman Fatahillah via busway station.
I took cliche picture over there.

Meet Some Friends #2

2009-12-06T19:56:00.004+07:00

I just realized that Stasiun Kota changed. The hall was closed so we could only walk outside.

Meet Some Friends #1

2009-12-06T19:34:00.008+07:00

Benny sent me message that he would be in Jakarta after Idul Fitri so asked me whether i could care to join walking together with him on the street of Jakarta.

I called everybody that I thought still in town and not mudik. Appointment was made to gather in Fastfood restaurant in Kota on Saturday. Yuwono, Kikih, Imam, Alex and Aga replied positively. The time was set to 9:00 AM

Unfortunately, I got influenza, woke up late and I forgot that train schedule from Bogor to Jakarta during weekend was reduced so I could only jump the 9:20 AM train and arrived at 11:00 AM.

When I quickly ran to Drop Zone; I saw Benny sat alone on fastfood restaurant with Yuwono, Kikih and Imam grouped on other side, without knowing each other.

Then after greetings and drank a cup of coffee, we walked down to take picture

Sempur: Reprise

2009-12-06T19:00:00.004+07:00

Last month, I took a picture of my friend pre-wedding.

Amazingly the location that couple chose was Sempur and other usual locations in Bogor. In the middle of session, I saw children, after school, buying ice cream and playing with lizards they hunted on bushes nearby.

I took three frames and back again to the session

Sempur: Epilogue

2009-09-07T18:00:00.000+07:00

Some were not changed after all these years.

Sempur: The Flag of Our Ancestors

2009-09-06T18:00:00.001+07:00

Red and White raised everywhere.
Large and Small flags hoisted

Sempur: The Children

2009-09-05T18:00:00.000+07:00

Children, with their mothers, grandmother and families

Sempur: Prologue

2009-09-04T18:00:00.001+07:00

Independence Day 2009.

The same middle aged people, with old but always new destination, Sempur. For some people Sempur will be their third or fourth visits, but for Tigor and Tono (Yes, Tono, our long lost friend now back again to the right track) this would be their the first time. The Team was me, Purwoko, Riza l I Sjahid, Tigor Peetosutan and Gunarto Wibisono

Based on SMS days before, the time is set for Independence Day, Monday 17th August 2009. I bought also copies of Badai Pasti Berlalu for these gentlemen (for some person, Badai Pasti Berlalu means nothing, for few people, it means everything).

As the independence ceremony will be conducted on Lapangan Sempur, then we parked our car on Taman Kencana and walked down. We met and greeted some LVRI member who will attend the ceremony with their proud face and smile. We let Tigor lead the way and crossed the bridge.

Sempur is separated by Ciliwung, there were at least two elementary school and three cable stayed bridges; for photographer, bridges, elementary school, sellers, dwellers are more than enough to capture pictures more over on independence days, flags were raised and there were games for everybody to celebrate it, we could not ask for more.

Sempur means name of tree, but some source stated it came from San Poor – bathing place and was dedicated for Dutch dweller during colonialism while some part of it were still undeveloped, and here are the pictures

Cianjur: Epilogue

2009-09-03T18:00:00.001+07:00

Our journey stopped to the place we started; place we parked our car, in front of Klenteng.

Cianjur klenteng was surrounded by shops and located in small and dense street, it's small compared to the klentengs we visited (Bogor, Jakarta and Sukabumi) but neat.There were administrants with a cat taking care Klenteng.

Cianjur Market Part 5

2009-09-02T18:00:00.000+07:00

The end of series, the potpourri of the market

Cianjur Market Part 4

2009-09-01T18:00:00.000+07:00

The Flesh and The Meat, Fishmonger to the cattle slaughtered

Cianjur Market Part 3

2009-08-31T18:00:00.001+07:00

The barbershop, placed on the corner, hiding from market hectic in the morning

Cianjur Market Part 2

2009-08-30T18:00:00.000+07:00

No, it's not Disneyland After Dark (DAD, which later on facing a lawsuit) this is Market after school.

I was quite shocked when i saw the necklace of the young boy

Cianjur Market Part 1

2009-08-29T18:00:00.000+07:00

Viking – The Jak , it’s like water and oil, it won’t mingle even in this market

Cianjur Market: Prologue

2009-08-28T18:00:00.001+07:00

The market had an extended form, it protruded the Cianjur railway station and literally no space between the tracks and the shops, but since train is scheduled twice and people aware so they do trading peacefully

We walked aimlessly inside Cianjur Market and to our surprised we went back to first time we parked the car

The Fruit and Vegetables were in abundance that day

Cianjur Railway Station

2009-08-27T18:00:00.000+07:00

There is only economy train stopped on Cianjur Railstation, Ciroyom (Bandung) – Cianjur with one diesel locomotive and two passenger cars. However, local stated this train as Argo Peuyeum (fermented cassava) since many Peuyem seller boarded on this train heading to Bandung.

The trip is scheduled twice a day, morning and midday and one trip is approximately 3 hours. Originally the trip was from Ciroyom (Bandung) – Cianjur – Lampegan, but since Lampegan tunnel collapsed (however it was fixed, but no announcement when the trip is to be extended to Lampegan again) then it stopped on Cianjur.

As a comparison, the train fare is around Rp. 2500 against Rp. 15000 for bus fare

Street of Cianjur: The Death of Movie Theater

2009-08-26T18:00:00.000+07:00

In the advent of a company which hold theaters and importing movies and compounded by the era of VCR, VCD, Laser Disc, DVD and you name it.

Small theater with inadequate capital will have to join the majority or dying out

Street of Cianjur: The Seller on The Street

2009-08-20T17:08:00.003+07:00

Fishmonger and ring seller, both can be found on the street of Cianjur

Street Of Cianjur: Brunch!

2009-08-20T17:05:00.006+07:00

Jajanan Pasar, I can not find the similarity in English, can be found anywhere on the alley in Cianjur

Street of Cianjur: Transportation

2009-08-20T17:01:00.003+07:00

Similar to other cities in West Java, Becak and Angkot (Angkutan Kota - City Transportation)are the main mode of transportation

Street of Cianjur: The Tailor

2009-08-20T16:54:00.004+07:00

And in front of Barber, there was a small tailor

Street of Cianjur: The Barbershop Cum House

2009-08-20T16:46:00.003+07:00

On the empty street near railway station, there is an old house.
The style of the house can be tracked back to fifties, the main room now changed to barber activity

Street of Cianjur: In Front Of Their Home

2009-08-20T16:41:00.006+07:00

The wireless telecommunication age holds a significant influence to friendship

Cianjur: Prologue

2009-08-20T15:32:00.008+07:00

Four middle aged person, (Me, Rizal Sjahid, Evodius Purwoko, Tigor Peetosutan and Jusuf Arief) who appeared that didn't have a real hobby except taking picture of trivial items on neglected and unnecessary pieces of history, gathered on Saturday morning.

The aim of wandering was Cianjur, to visit the Klenteng (hope this is a correct term), fulfilling the four Klenteng Brotherhood (Jakarta, Bogor, Sukabumi and Cianjur) as people told us.

Nights before, Map opened, internet surfed, distance measured and found that there were market (supposed to be traditional one) and railway station and elementary schools. That's more than enough for a half day trip, as they are the holy trinity of Transportation, Education and Religion which in our reckless, irresponsible and wild grand theory of humanrace was the significance factors contributing the progress of culture of human race.

In the morning, we gathered on Purwoko house, enjoying morning tea and chit-chat and apparently I am the one who still smoke cigarette now. Then we go to Cianjur A.S.A.P. The Klenteng was easy to find, we parked in front of it and walked only to find Chicken Porridge.

Finished meal, we tried to find the elementary school which we thought a old school with thick building from Dutch era, but thought's gone as we saw three stories building. We set course to Cianjur Railway Station and found that some of the equipment inside the station is using solar cell. Inside in station we had a good Es Cendol, Es Campur and Ice Tea; when the officer said that in few minutes the train from Bandung will arrive we set a walk to crossroad near the market as we thought it was the best spot for taking pictures.

It is only Bandung - Cianjur vv, officer told me, the Cianjur - Sukabumi still impassable as one tunnel is closed and no plan to fix yet.

We continued walking inside the market and back to Klenteng to have a small talks and not to forget to buy Cianjur specialties for our family who gave us permit to wander around.

Reprise: Pulo Geulis – After School

2009-08-19T16:50:00.004+07:00

After School is considered as holiday, and tomorrow is probably another holiday
What else?

Reprise: Pulo Geulis – Morning Breakfast

2009-08-19T16:38:00.006+07:00

Morning had started in Pulo Geulis, the same ritual in every morning, the breakfast with famous chicken porridge

Election, Election and Once Again Election

2009-08-19T10:36:00.004+07:00

As far as I can remember, there were holidays due to election in Indonesia; and to make things complicated, I work in Jakarta when stay in Bogor (West Java) legally my workplace and my home are on different provinces.

In West Java, at least, I have 4 major elections. Mayor Election for Bogor, Governor Election for West Java (both will be on Sunday), General Election for representatives and Presidential Election (both are not conducted on weekend thus considered as holidays). For representative I had to choose parties for my City, Province and national and not to forget to choose senator (or similar concept to that) to represent me in Jakarta.
Jakarta Governor Election is conducted on weekdays, and considered as holiday by office.

Quite lucky that these activities were conducted in every five years, but the boringness is clear as I had go to same places over and over again.

Post Script 12.20 Local Time 18.08.2009
Inside the room, I found that it is too small, narrow and dark for examining the ballot. This is the first time for Indonesian people to mark the number of the party or the picture of the representatives, previously only party which to be marked by putting a hole (usually with nail). As consequences, the ballot is almost like A2 size paper with name and picture and representative's party and I had to choose for Bogor, West Java and Indonesia. You can imagine the small font, the picture, the party symbol all in one places and the table is not high enough for person taller than 160cm so you can imagine how worst the ergonomic side of this election. I can not remember which party, which representative or which Senator that I choose that day.

Bogor - Sukabumi

2009-04-26T16:58:00.006+07:00

After few years wandering on railway stations, now the destination is almost coming to the end.

The train from Bogor to Sukabumi had been closed and neglected for several years due to profit reason; but few months ago, it is re-opened as people permanently asked the cheapest way to travel from Sukabumi-Bogor-Jakarta.

Altough only once a day from Sukabumi to Bogor (morning) and Bogor to Sukabumi (evening), it really helps people who will go to trade vegetables to big cities.

The stations are: Bogor-Batutulis-Maseng-Cigombong-Cicurug-Parungkuda-cibadak-Karangtengah-Cisaat-Sukabumi and below are links of pictures, from various cameras, films, lenses and from not so long time ago

Bogor

Batutulis
Cigombong
Cicurug
Parungkuda
Cibadak

I missed Maseng, Karang Tengah and Cisaat; for sure I will visit them all to complete the pilgrimage.

I will not update this blog every week now, as works consumed my time, but for sure there will be a time when I take my camera and have a walk again

PULO GEULIS – THE CHILDREN

2009-04-24T18:16:00.004+07:00

Children everywhere are the same, playing hard and try to forget the school

PULO GEULIS – SENIOR CITIZENS

2009-04-22T19:57:00.007+07:00

Enjoying the world and share the stories of past, present and future

PULO GEULIS – CAMPAIGN OF POLITICAL PARTY

2009-04-22T19:24:00.004+07:00

The island was not immune to the election hype; all corners were full of parties, names, idioms. A house was set as command post, to ensure that all parties were treated equally

PULO GEULIS - CILIWUNG

2009-04-18T12:06:00.003+07:00

Drinking water is permanent problem in Pulo Geulis. A five hectares island surrounded by Ciliwung river now depends on public water company. Actually there were 2 wells but nowadays the wells were considered as non-drinking water well.

Ciliwung also provided fishes for dwellers, but as time goes by Ciliwung now is getting dirty and polluted, nothing can be gained from the river except fear of flood during monsoon which had taken death toll before.

As a precautions, I blurred the images contain naked children

PULO GEULIS - VIHARA

2009-04-17T23:18:00.005+07:00

Introduction: Pulo Geulis is an island around five hectares in bogor. The island is surrounded by Ciliwung River, all races are living in harmony

The harmony between Chinese and non-Chinese dwellers clearly saw, as they helping each other during ceremony, there are Moslem cemetery inside Vihara Mahabrahma in Pulo Geulis

Free Market

2009-04-12T18:09:00.003+07:00

A market in between Sukabumi Vihara to Train Station. A Market full of hospitality. A Market full of life

Kerosene Blues

2009-03-28T23:28:00.006+07:00

Sukabumi,
Despite of endorsed program of changing from kerosene to liquid natural gas since last years, the old habit of using kerosene and compounded with distribution problem made queuing was inevitable.

People I met stated that this queuing was shorter than normal

Bogor Kite Festival

2009-03-28T21:58:00.003+07:00

Kite Festival was conducted in Rancamaya, sponsored by house developer.
I brought my Family and bought kites for my daughters. lovely kites from almost all places in Java were there,; fishes, squids, Nyi Blorong, Leak and so on

Few Hours Before Year 2060

2009-03-28T18:14:00.003+07:00

Vihara Widhi Sakti (Klenteng Bie Hian Kong) is the oldest and greatest in Sukabumi built in 1912.

We came there, on Saturday 24^th January 2009, few hours before celebration. As Imlek will be celebrated on night time, with Gie Say brotherhood (founded on 23^rd day; 5^th month in Chinese Lunar calendar, year 1952) with Beng Say perforemd on the street

(Gie can be translated as hero, honest, faith and Say is noble creature) Gie Say - Beng Say creature refers to relief Kang Co Han Tan Kong.

Beng Say had been 50 years old and legend said, it came from Chung Kuo

Cibadak

2009-03-13T21:11:00.004+07:00

The Bogor - Sukabumi is open again; all stations are painted and alive and vibrant.
It is a feast to the eyes

Parungkuda: Train Station and It's Vicinities

2009-03-08T19:13:00.004+07:00

The pictures here were taken in 2006, while train Bogor - Sukabumi stopped in 2005, Parungkuda train station was empty and deserted when I came there.
it's vicinity was still vibrant but until certain time.

Parungkuda: Schooldays

2009-03-08T19:04:00.004+07:00

These are images long time ago an early morning in Parungkuda
I seldom use the normal mode with My XPAN, you can see on the last picture

Lasalle

2009-02-28T22:06:00.001+07:00

a nice college; a feast to viewfinder

Situ Gede

2009-02-21T20:39:00.004+07:00

Apologize for re-writing, re-issue of this entry once again, as now I have all the negatives developed and scanned. The old entry had been deleted

Situ Gede is a small village near Bogor.

A snapshot of an ordinary family in the morning near big lake (situ gede = big lake)

Bogor Mayor Election

2009-02-06T18:20:00.004+07:00

Bogor Mayor Election started with 5 candidates, 3 were supported by political parties, 2 are independent. I never care, I never know aw I work in Jakarta and arrive at home so late.

One of independent candidate is Ki Gendeng Pamungkas who is living in my neighborhood quite popular due to his eccentricity he is supported by security personnel nearby.

During election day on lazy Sunday morning, I went these to cast my vote, don't know who's to choose, so I let my daughter chose.

The winner? the incumbent mayor of course

Rahem

2009-02-06T17:59:00.006+07:00

I know him since first grade as classmate in junior high school, until the second and during third class, reshuffled by school master to avoid gangs et cetera. Then we enrolled to same high school, become classmate on second and third.

He taught me how to play guitar, cut my hair for a clove cigarette in return (I asked money for cutting my hair to barbershop), and with other classmates in high school, we were studying, drinking, smoking together, you name it.

Graduated from high school, I went to Surabaya and lost contact with him and just met him again last year in his shop, and as usual just like in old times, he will bring glasses of coffee (with mix of corn) for us .

As young blood after graduated from high school, he went to Jakarta, to Pasar Ular to be précised seeking a fortune and leaving his mom, little brother and sister in Sumenep. His business was buying and selling smuggled items. After years then he seized his fortune, buying one container of wristwatch machines and sold to wristwatch assembler in East Java, and gave him million rupiahs of profit in pocket.

Admitted that he couldn’t stand the way of life in Jakarta then he went home to Sumenep, get married and take over his mom shop in market called Pasar Anom , selling home utensils.

And the story goes well, from one shop to three shops with several employees. Until one night Pasar Anom was caught on fire. One of his shops was burnt down, everything inside the shop was melting. When I ask how much he lost, he replied easily that this is only a test of God on his faith and all wealth can be gained again later. He also said that insurance will never taking care the traditional market as there will be two choices, burned-out or being arson, so it’s about care to be taken and keep the faith.

That day, I left Rahem with new meaning of test and pass or fail of life, and realize that it was a good coffee at all

A Day At The Races

2009-01-31T00:31:00.002+07:00

There were no races!

It was only races broadcasted from live big screen television from other countries, i never knew.
but for a few dollars, a hope of lucky, relieving from daily routines, who will care?

Mayor Oking Street: Part 4 The Enterpreneur

2009-01-30T23:49:00.002+07:00

God bless the Entrepreneurs, as they are the ones who make the world go round.
Since centuries ago, they are proven , resist from any wars, withstand any pressures, calamities, disasters and still lubricating the world to go round until now!

Mayor Oking Street: Part 3 The Waiting In The Station

2009-01-30T23:12:00.005+07:00

Train Station is like my backyard, I almost know every people overthere.

Mayor Oking Street: Part 2 Faces In The Morning

2009-01-26T17:31:00.002+07:00

As morning comes, Face shows,
many works have to be done

Mayor Oking Street: Part 1 Barbershop

2009-01-26T17:17:00.003+07:00

Going around with friends on Staturday morning as usual; walking around without proper planning as usual also, so we were around and around between Mayor Oking Street and Bogor Station.

Barbershops as usual are interesting as many mirrors are installed inside, I can not remember how many barbershop in Bogor I took pictures.

Faceless, no interaction and no eye contact

2009-01-25T17:43:00.003+07:00

Faceless people I never know, no interaction to the subject and no eye contact also. Except for children

Emerald Hill

2009-01-17T19:17:00.004+07:00

Emerald Hill is a nice hill, across orchard road. Nice bar and alley, all is good over there

A Day At The Museum

2009-01-11T07:09:00.004+07:00

Air-conditioned, price discount from Singapore Airlines as you can show the boarding pass, free after working hours made me comfortable inside National Museum of Singapore.
While the other one is on downtown with good view, it is National Art Gallery. Free admission and nice toilets

Meaningless

2009-01-09T22:16:00.004+07:00

Meaningless
It means nothing, I didn't understand, why I took picture and what motives behind it. I am not Freudian, I can't comprehend my self.

F. D. P. T.

2009-01-02T11:39:00.006+07:00

In 'other world terminology' FDPT means First Day Production Test, just to check whether parameters for productions are correct or as planned and results fell in acceptable ranges.

I deliberately use this terminology as First Day Post This (Year).

The original plan was so detail, last day in the office on 24th December, soon after all daughters finish from school on 27th we go to Pekalongan meet my friend there, studying about batik and back on 30th so I can spend my new year at home.

But alas, the butterfly effect took place, heavy rain, influenza, stomach infection, fever and so on ruined the plan.

So I just literally wake up on the second day of January and hoping you are all given spirit and iron will as this year and probably the year after are the difficult years to sail

Merry Chistmas

2008-12-20T17:55:00.006+07:00

With all commodification around us and desacralization and oversimplification of ritual which in turn will be translated easily as buying something, may I offer only a Merry Christmas to you all from the bottom of my heart?

Pasar Anom Sumenep

2008-12-12T22:45:00.003+07:00

Pasar Anom, originally was near Sumenep Grand Mosque. As the market was located in the central of the city and city shall be clean to obtain Adipura, then Pasar Anom is moved on suburban area.

A year ago, Pasar Anom was caught by fire, leaving some scars on some buildings.

20 Years Later

2008-11-28T17:53:00.003+07:00

This is not Alexander Dumas’ trilogy describing the life of D’Artagnan, nor about TYA (Ten Years After) multiplied by two. This is a story about a reunion 20 years later

20 years are very long time, but in reunion, time bent and winded and suddenly stand still temporarily

Abruptly, we saw death, marriage, propose, engage, pregnant, parent in law, divorce, heart attack, diabetes, stroke, political movement, legislative, house of representative, and lost of some friends we used to know from silent hum

In Reunion, everybody talk in same time and no one seemed to listen

And distance raised, we went back to our own world and wait for the next 5, 10 or 20 years from now

Mudik

2008-11-21T12:35:00.005+07:00

Mudik is more than ritual, it is now like moving automatically and synchronized in selected timeframe decided by government. Government issued decree of started and finished of Mudik/Idul Fitri holiday.

Mudik, as I suspected, is caused by urbanization. The flux of workforces to big cities, thanks to glamour, culture and big city dreams are very strong in the last 20 years and make Mudik getting complicated every year. The stories of delayed trains and insufficient passenger train; buses and cars in massive traffic jams, flight delayed are usual during Mudik

For me, mudik is biennale activity, as I have to spare Idul Fitri with my wife’s family and my family; And this time is quite importance as I have reunion in Sumenep, attend family wedding and visit my Grandmother.

The pictures below are taken in Madura Strait ferry for my trip to Sumenep, two days after Idul Fitri. Still the ferry was cramped by cars, motorbike and people and made me unable to walk around and stretch my legs. as you see all were taken from the driver window.

Vungtao, Morning

2008-11-15T20:59:00.003+07:00

Woke up too early, I decided to walk around in Vungtao, a few blocks from hotel .

Night Life

2008-11-11T12:59:00.003+07:00

Again, I could not sleep.
I walked around and around and watching the girls stand still in cold and under the confusion light. When will you stop the show?

2902 Gallery - Thirteen

2008-11-11T12:54:00.002+07:00

With Wellington, visited the 2902 gallery. Climbed Mount Sophia, panting as I got older.
It was a photo exhibition of thirteen young, talented, extraordinary photographers. A truly feast to my eyes and mind.

Children, In The Morning of Their Lives

2008-11-08T13:25:00.004+07:00

Life was so free and wonderful in the morning of our lives

Obama, Osama

2008-11-07T12:12:00.002+07:00

Obama wins, how about Osama?
still in the alley with all the punkers and bystander

From The Glass

2008-11-07T10:22:00.003+07:00

From the glass, I sometime see my reflection, but mostly I don't.
Obscured and masked by something in between

Karang Hantu - Chinese New Year 2559

2008-11-04T17:57:00.008+07:00

It's Year 2559, I went to Karang Hantu a small town in tip of Serang, there was a ceremony in old klenteng.

Now Chinese new year is declared as National Holiday and it would be a long week-end. Some people had a plan to visit small island near Karang Hantu and children playing game, a rental one, they really wanted to be similar of they friends in the city for playing a video game. The Neighborhood of klenteng is rural house

Behind The Glasses

2008-11-02T09:13:00.004+07:00

Thin as glass, but thick the separation of air, words and signs are
Is communication not necessary anymore or are we being alienated?

It's The Journey

2008-11-01T17:36:00.006+07:00

It's the journey, not the destination. As destiny will meet me or I meet my destiny on my destination.

KUA-KUL (MH1281) delayed and I miss the KUL-CGK (MH 727) had to stay one night in KLIA Hotel to catch MH711 on next day flight

Suryakencana (Extended Version)

2008-10-28T07:00:00.010+07:00

Introduction: I submit photostory for Exposure (Online) Magazine. Luckily they accept my story about Suryakencana Street and put it in their first edition. since I submit it in Bahasa Indonesia, then Exposure made it bilingual, that's why in text below you will see a name which has translated my material. Due to limitation, it was decided that 10 pictures are allocated in the magazine, while below is the extended version or my personal cut of Suryakencana. I hope you enjoy it.

The sun was rising and as usual hampered by clouds as this is Bogor. I was standing on Suryakencana Street, extending alongside the entrance of Kebun Raya Bogor. When morning came, the rhythm of life had just begun. People started their daily activities along the street the informal sector started to beat.

That morning, the glory of street remained in memory. I have heard many stories about it.
Suryakencana Street used to be a fortress in the era Pakuan-Pajajaran Kingdom. Then, when Dutch colonized Indonesia, it was called Handels Straat and became center of business and economic activities, which was known as Chinatown in Bogor.

After Indonesian independence the street name changed to Suryakencana. It refers to the name of last king from Pakuan-Pajajaran kingdom which also know as Raga Mulya with last palace in Pulasari-Pandeglang.

Within decades ago, Jalan Suryakencana and its environs had became the busy area in Bogor. There were many shops, living place, food court and theatres. It had been the main road from Jakarta to Bandung before Jagorawi (Jakarta-Bogor-Ciawi) was built.
In the past, Suryakencana was famous for its Chinese food, due to majority of the Chinese community in this area, the food sellers mostly sold Chinese food. As time goes by, they assimilated with local people. This assimilation brought to a new creation of food. The authentic taste mixed with local taste resulted in special food from Suryakencana such as porridge, lumpia, soto, etc.

It is hard to say, but it was only history. The glory has vanished and remained memory. The theaters had been closed, some were abandoned, and others were replaced. Some shops had been closed too, and owners moved to another place. The living place will be sold. This street is no longer the center of Bogor. The busy area had moved to other place.

Nowadays, Suryakencana Street is known for its street vendors of food. However the traffic jam, perforated road and garbage ruined the coziness. Garbage is scattered around, makes the street look like a slum area. The situation is so bad that once a citizen wrote a letter to local newspaper asking government to tidy up the area to prevent it from becoming more dirty and disorganized. That day, apart from that chaotic situation, what I could do is just recorded a piece of story through my lens. A story of people who put their hopes on Suryakencana Street.
(Anna Ervita Dewi/Igor Firdauzi)

M.I.C.A.

2008-10-27T18:13:00.003+07:00

I Love MICA with it's signboards, I can play around with them

To Cigombong (Again)

2008-10-26T15:59:00.003+07:00

To Cigombong, to my parent small house and little swimming pool. I took the children, my neighbors which their children is Athena school mates for one day trip and having fun. Athena planned to bring her lomo, his picture can be seen here

You will notice this is the second post I use color film, just to see the result with my Nokton.

Children love to play in swimming pool, while I have a chat with the our Cigombong little friends. A happy day!

A Walk Around Near Hotel

2008-10-25T08:22:00.004+07:00

A distance walkaround near the hotel to get tired so I can get sleep well and finish the day so can get Friday faster.

Early Retirement

2008-10-25T08:01:00.005+07:00

Early Retirement is my dream. Doing and pursuing what I really want and stay in cold city like Batu in East Java. Food is great, abundance in type of Satay: chicken, lamb, rabbit any meat you want and not to mention Nasi Rawon (actually you have to go to Malang for Rawon Brintik or Nguling) Nasi Pecel the fresh air and Ludruk is still available in neighborhood.

I really dont want to work until night when I get older and older, and sometime cut short the vacation because there's a call from office saying things are developing rapidly

Coincidence

2008-10-25T06:57:00.005+07:00

why this guy is always on the edge of picture, when I took picture of people with their cellular phone?

Night Life

2008-10-24T09:15:00.004+07:00

Decades passed, I am not a nocturnal human being anymore. During working days I go to bed at 9.30 PM. but sometime i can not sleep and choose to walk around and back when tired. Poor old man.

Random Precision

2008-10-23T18:49:00.006+07:00

You wear out your welcome with random precision
(Shine On You Crazy Diamond - Pink Floyd)

They are taken randomly, without any story, without any line, intermittently, just nothing. They are absolutely cliche and overly familiar, just a plug and play of people walking with the scene. The only similarity is I took a photograph during weekend. What a shame.

The Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging Part 1

2008-10-23T12:57:00.003+07:00

I look up to the sky and see many things around. I see the universe, I see the moon at noon, I see the steel protruding the sky, I see the concrete stabbing clouds, I see the disc cutting the top of trees. I see many things.

Mind Games

2008-10-22T07:14:00.004+07:00

Remind me of Eric Clapton Album, there is always one in every crowd

The questions are, is she calling overseas while her friends making a memento picture of holiday trip? is holiday trip means nothing to her? or is she alienated by her friends or is she just a passer by and suddenly feeling urge to call boy friend? family? is her boy friend possessive?

I love to play mind games for killing time

Walk, Dont Run

2008-10-21T18:47:00.004+07:00

7 seconds to cross.

I choose to stop and wait It's probably because of weekly safety meeting that we have to observe environment, and no rushing, safety is number one and so on. And I always remember: 'walk don't run'

Daily Life

2008-10-20T12:09:00.007+07:00

I like saturday morning, watching people. it's so amusing watching them preparing breakfast, woke up, playing, working and else.

Family Gathering

2008-10-19T19:06:00.007+07:00

Office activity, yearly family gathering . This time is Ancol and the vicinities such Dunia Fantasi and others.

I brought my family to office and boarded on bus. After all ceremonies, all were given choices to Dunia Fantasi, Sea World or other places.

I took Sea World as i never go there.

PS. I believe you can distinguish the difference between Lucky and Tmax

Small Madrasah

2008-10-16T14:41:00.007+07:00

Madrasah literally means School, but in this case it is Islamic School

It was Public Holiday in Bogor. I walked around and found there is small and remote Madrasah 20km from Bogor. A madrasah that only accept boy and teenager as pupils, with dormitory and kitchen provided and self sustained as they plant

So I ask permission to take pictures, as I am aware with nowadays situation, taking picture is a sensitive issues. The teaching process is in traditional way, the lesson is read by the teacher, and pupils listening with taking notes, a glass of coffee and milk, ashtray and clove cigarettes as always accompanying pupils.

Susan Sontag, Ayam Penyet and Vivo City

2008-10-15T12:48:00.007+07:00

After finish eating Ayam Penyet in corner of Liang Seah street, I (once again) went to Vivo. I wanted to buy book, a Susan Sontag book describing photography (On Photography) , as I wanted to be seen literate. You can imagine how handsome I am when holding camera and a book describing of photography in my armpit and speaking seriously and intensely to other people.

Soon after I paid the book, as usual I sat on vivo city and smoking, watching skies and Singapore-Batam ferry and reading the book, but Alas!I didn't understand the whole words printed there! I decided to go back to hotel and get some sleep

By the way, I misplaced the book at home, so I didn't finish reading and didn't have opportunity to show off as literate photographer wanna be!

Liang Seah Street

2008-10-15T10:21:00.004+07:00

Located near Bugis, Liang Seah is famous for the food and not to forget the LOMO Embassy!
I had appointment with Wellington for looking for LCA. as usual, I woke up too early and took my time walking around in Liang Seah Street.

Kitchen Blues

2008-09-25T16:00:00.005+07:00

As oil price is getting higher and higher, Government launched a program to use LPG instead of kerosene for people live below or on poverty line. One small LPG tank +/- 3Kg and stove are distributed freely, sometimes the package is sold so people have additional money to buy something and back to use kerosene.

It is the small tank +/-3kg that make the price attainable despite for glitch in LPG tank quality (it can be a big cherry bomb, and had several cases of fire due to this tank) and when people use LPG, suddenly there is a disrupt in distribution and some people had to convert once again to kerosene or firewood.

For some people they use firewood and never change

DHL Balloon

2008-09-21T15:19:00.003+07:00

Located near Bugis MRT Station and 7th Storey Hotel this Helium Balloon really captured my Daughter attention as she wanted to take a ride and round singapore from the sky.

So I told her that this balloon is anchored to the ground with metal cable and it wont go nowhere, later on I promised that on our next holiday we will take a ride this balloon.

Unbeknown to us, the balloon will only serve until end of September 2008, so another promise may not be unfulfilled.

National Stadium

2008-09-20T20:35:00.002+07:00

National Stadium is located in Kallang, opened in July 1973 and officially closed in June 2007 and will be demolished in 2008.

I went there before demolished, the stadium was empty and bare but neat.

The Punks And The Merlion

2008-09-12T19:08:00.005+07:00

Saturday after school. Youngster gathered. Remind me of Sid Vicious, with their gesture and style of smoking. but this is Singapore a Clean city, i wiped out my thinking and passed away.

Esplanade

2008-09-12T18:36:00.004+07:00

The durian building, i sit here from noon until dawn. Watching people passing by

On The Waterfront

2008-09-07T19:21:00.006+07:00

Walking around, killing time on the waterfront, riverfront until dawn and take meal then went to the hotel for a sleep.

What a life!

Geylang

2008-09-05T21:43:00.008+07:00

It was a mixed-up, originally I wanted to go to train station for Malaysia-Singapore but I got confused, whether I had to jump-out in Kallang, Bugis, Aldjunied or else. so I jumped-out and went to Geylang.

Drifted in lorong, I took some pictures of shops, hawkers, and short time hotels (I didn't take picture of these).

Thank for Hospitality

2008-08-27T18:37:00.003+07:00

A year ago, during fasting day on Ramadhan, I met them all. Billitone family, Yuwono, Wellington, Kikih and all jolly,merry cheerful people.

It is a shame that I just now say, thanks for hospitality.

Changi: Terminal 3 (Again)

2008-08-24T18:44:00.004+07:00

Walking around without destination (again!) with Wellington during weekend in Terminal 3. It is terminal for Airbus A380 and more like a shopping mall instead of airport. then suddenly got a call from Togar that he stopped by in Singapore and wanted to walk around.

After waiting for few moments in Changi then we went together to downtown with Tigor .

63 Years Later, a perspective of History

2008-08-15T11:40:00.006+07:00

lahir seorang besar dan tenggelam beratus ribu
keduanya harus dicatat, keduanya dapat tempat
(Chairil Anwar - Catatan Tahun 1946)

From This Post, a year ago when I visited Rengasdengklok . I received comment from Mr. Wikana's grandson. stating that his grandfather is basically missing in 1966 after the political turmoil in 1965 (reader is to be advised to maintain critical and objective approach when read it).

As one of youth leader it is hard to find source of Wikana on the net; while wikana's name is mentioned in wikipedia, there is no description at all. Wikana only mentioned only as a cabinet minister without portfolio in Sjahrir Cabinet II and III, Amir Sjarifuddin I and II representing Indonesia Communist Party. After that period, nothing is mentioned about Wikana. It seemed that he only became footnote in history after early stage in Indonesia Proclamation.

Jogjakarta - Last Day (Bakpia Pathuk)

2008-08-10T10:06:00.003+07:00

And don't forget bakpia pathuk as oleh-oleh also; after finished bakpia, we just go straight to airport to Jakarta and concluded the visit in three days.

Surely I will Be Back As Soon As Possible

Jogjakarta - Last Day (Oleh-oleh Day)

2008-08-10T09:46:00.006+07:00

As the last day, we had to buy oleh-oleh to our families. so we went to Mirota in front of Bringhardjo Market.
So I bought also something for my family very quick and sat there watching people walked around.

Jogjakarta - The Third Night

2008-08-09T10:41:00.003+07:00

This was my third night in Jogjakarta, we planned to visit Angkringan and feel the night life. Eat the Sego Kucing and Teh Nasgitel. What A Life

Jogjakarta - Kasongan

2008-08-03T17:59:00.008+07:00

Kasongan is famous with its pottery; from home utensils to accessories, and it is a typical home industries with workers were from village in vicinities.