Mount Slamet, January 2016. Pt 2 - Of the Arrival

     

      It was merely a week from new year's eve. Food stalls around my dorm room had not been opened yet. My stomach was rumbling demanding tributes to be thrown through the human's white cave of teeth. Maybe I would just call for delivery service, but no. My muscle was worn out, my nerve was torn out. I was just too tired to go outside. Besides, these hiking gears and other equipment won't pack themselves.

***

        Here I am. Seven in the morning, somewhere I have never set my foot onto. My twelve-hour rumbling stomach starts to disturb me. Fortunately markets and food stalls here are accustomed to open in this early hour. I let my self grab some meals at nearby stall. My friends also grab some meals. After all this whole stuffy train trip was pretty exhausting.
        It is an hour to go until the sun reach its peak position. I set out my legs to comfort myself. The two hour car trip was unappealing. The road was bumpy and the car was worn out already when we board on. Perhaps it was the bumpy road who keep wrecking the car. We are sitting in silence. One of my friend, Apis, seem to worry about something. Now he is on all fours approaching me.
        " You's got'n drink not set up fo the hike? I kinda thirst 'ere " he says with a bit of hesitation.
        " Sure " as I hand him the half full bottled water.
        " I reckon there's some stalls outside selling drinks, " I add up.
        " We may buy some necessary stuff befo 'e hike ".
        As the sun reach its peak position, we set out from the basecamp, prepared to make the hike. Before we set our first step, we pray to the God. For the safe trip and for the bumpy road. For the good morning meal and for the night starvation. For the bright weather and for the stunning heat. The trip might be unsafe if not for the bumpy road. The morning meal might be poisonous if not for the night starvation. The weather might be bad if not for the stunning heat the sun brought with its light. Moreover, we pray for the future. For the safe hike, for the ability to overcome any obstacle, for the power to control our emotions which will be tested by the misty mountain. Last, we pray for our homecoming.