The Jakarta Chronicle

So it was Sunday late morning, your girl was out somewhere, and none of you friends were available, you were hungry, there were some ingredients in the fridge, but you were not quite keen to go the kitchen yet, what’s the option ?

Quite a few really, for one you you skipped and jumped right away to the several cafes and restaurant around the city, ready to throw some western breaky which by nature should consist of eggs, toast, bacon, and orange juice later washed throughy with a slightly bitter yet aromatically splendor coffee. Or…or like what I did just then, drive slowly around the neighbourhood, cruising for some gerobak food stall.

My target that morning – or rather early afternoon, was a Ketoprak vendor at Jalan Tebet Timur Dalam 2, just near the bus stop.  I have the name for vendor, calling it Ketoprak XL, because the guy have a side job of selling mobile phone voucher, and the first time I spotted him weeks ago he wore an XL shirt.

You see, like most Jakartan who grew snacking whatever the street vendor who walks around in front of your door step offered, I am very fond of this local food, cause eating it will not only satisfy my craving with the food or matter of making my tummy full and happy, but also incite a childhood memory, bring a certain warmness and sense of happiness. Well you know what I mean.

Anyway, luck was with me that day, the Ketoprak XL was there, already one customer waiting. A mere 10 minutes later, a plate of Ketoprak Sedang (not too spicy) complete with boiled egg and cut cucumber was ready to be savoured, and savoured it was.

Having completely awed and enchanted with after taste, not to mention a satisfied tummy, I crave for some desert. Alas not a vendor in sight, and so my sight rested to gorengan (fried stuff) vendor just 10 walks away, quickly ordered two fried tempeh, and two fried ubi (sweet potato).

Walking nonchalant as if I have all the time in world, I moved slowly to the warkop nearby, got a bottle of ice tea, and really took my time in finishing my tempe and ubi, occasionally sipping the ice tea.  

As I walking back to my car, I calculated the expenses I just paid, Rp.8000,- for the Ketoprak, Rp.2000,- for the Gorengan, and another Rp.3000 for the ice tea. 

The sun was searing above my head, and I could almost imagine I tucked my self in to blanket, in my cool bed room, as soon as I finished a long, hot and steamy shower. Not bad for a lazy Sunday.

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