Yogyakarta, Indonesia – February 2000

By Mastepe   |   February 1st, 2000   |   Comments (0)
Traveler Article

Events

  • Feb 2: Anniversary of Prince Murteja, performed in Padepokan Pudyaraja Jl. Suryodiningratan at 10am.

  • Feb 5: Traditional Ballet, performed in RRI Auditorium II at 8pm-12pm

  • Feb 12: Leather Puppet Show, performed at Sasono Hinggil South Kraton Square.

  • Feb 2 – 12: Djoglo Gallery soft opening, at Padhepokan Pamengku, Jl. Timor-Timur 183B, Kentungan.

    Edutourism

    (language & cultural travel)

    The integrated immersion program conducted by Djoglo will be starting from January 24 to February 18 (for 2,4 & 8 weeks). It is a program for intensively learning language, dance or traditional martial art, gamelan and visiting several cultural heritages. For more information contact djoglo@indosat.net.id

    New Years Eve in Yogya – by Tim

    I spent New Year’s Eve in Yogya!! I didn’t think I could get such an amazing experience in my life. I flew from my home, Canada, on December 1, even though I’d have to wait a long time for bahasa program. I had spent time in Lombok, Bali and Malang before joining “Sunset ’99 at Parangtritis Beach” with Djoglo’s staff. I was accompanied by my friendly tutor, Iwan, exploring Malioboro Street. Many people were on the street waiting for “buka puasa” (fasting break), or just hanging around. Spending an hour with the crowd of people on the sidewalk, “This is a real experience, Iwan,” I said.

    Kim from Korea, Lisa from Canada and I, together with Djoglo staff, started to leave at 4.30pm after a “pisang goreng” (fried banana) party. On the way to the beach, all I saw were motorbikes dominating the traffic.

    Some guys and girls made a line to buy trumpets on the sidewalk. It seemed people wanted to expose their feelings to say good bye to 1999 and be ready to jump into the new century. We got to the beach later than we were supposed to. Aan directed to park the car away from the parking lot where we could see, maybe, hundreds of motorbike were parking around the “dandut band” stage.

    We walked on the black sand and sometimes Kim played in the water. Iwan told me how dangerous the south sea waves were. Of course he graduated in geological engineering. I took some pictures of Parangtritis sunset 1999, the last sun I would ever see in the century.

    Some of us broke the fasting at 6pm and we made “satay ayam” barbeque. Lisa has a good voice, and Iwan played the guitar very well. I thought most of Indonesians can play guitar. Aan taught us an Indonesian song. He said it would be the song test for bahasa Indonesia. He was kidding I assumed.

    After we were all full enjoying the dinner we went to Parangkusumo, the meeting place for Sultan and the South Sea goddess. People still keep maintaining the belief that the Sultan and his descendant have to marry the goddess for her help sake. A sacred ritual was taking place. Four guardians held the flame, and the sea wave brought the mystical smell unto us. I was very disappointed since we were not allowed to take pictures of the ritual. Iwan didn’t answer me why. The mystical nuance came up as we could smell the incense and the gamelan sound in slow beat.

    We got home at 3pm, all of us really tired, but what an amazing time. “Go to bed when get home,” I thought. But I didn’t since all of us stayed up until 7 playing cards at my homestay. A really full of fun New Year’s Eve.

    General Info Section

    Yogyakarta is a culturally rich city, and used to be a kingdom of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat.

    Now Yogya, for short, is a city of education, the art city, city of Javanese culture, even Indonesian culture. Why? Because many students from many places come to study and to mingle. Sumatra, Kalimantan (Borneo), Sulawesi, Irian, Bali and many foreign students from Australia, Asia, America and Europe stay and learn here.

    Quirky Facts

    You may go to any cultural heritages such as Sultanate Palace, Borobudur Temple, Prambanan and many interesting places.

    Geography

    Where is it?

    Accommodation

    Coming Soon.

    Language

    We use Bahasa Indonesia and Javanese for local people. It is very simple and

    easy to learn. Take

    a course?

    Transport

    How to get to Yogya?

    Money

    Indonesian currency is Rupiah. This month’s conversion is on average to US$1 ~ Rp. 7000. This is the time to go and to buy.

    Edutourism

    A 4 to 8 weeks immersion integrative program including language, dance or

    traditional martial art and many activities such as rafting, mount climbing,

    camping and visiting cultural heritages.

    Internet Cafes

    Internet cafes are easily found in the student or campus area. Spend ~US$1 for one hour of access.

    Arts/Music Scene

    As a culture center there are many galleries, art performances such as leather puppets, ballet, music festivals etc. Wait for the upcoming event.

    The Outdoors

    Mountain climbing or white water rafting?

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