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Events Hidup di Belanda

Tahun baru 2018 di Amsterdam

1st January 2018 - 4 min read

Ada ratusan pesta dan klub malam yang berlangsung di Amsterdam pada Malam Tahun Baru, ada yang modelnya pesta kostum, suit up dan lain lain. Tempat populer untuk party di tahun baru adalah Gashouder dan Loveland NYE di Mediahaven. Kalau emang pengen dari awal ke acara-acara gitu, beli tiketnya jauh-jauh hari online karena ada kemungkinan semua sold out atau harga tiket jadi super mahal.

Tapi bukan rahasia kalau saya bukan tipe anak party 😛 Jadi kemarin saya santai aja di rumah, masak-masak, baca buku, ngobrol-ngobrol sampai tiba waktunya pukul hampir 11.30. Damar dan saya keluar rumah untuk cari kembang api yang dibudgetin sama pemerintah Amsterdam. Yang ternyata viewpointnya (Java Eiland) nggak terlalu jauh dari rumah kami. Sebenernya Giras, adek Damar yang tinggal sama kami, ikut, tapi karena ban sepedanya bocor, jadilah dia terdiam di rumah. Menikmati kembang api yang dinyalain tetangga-tetangga. Banyak dan bagus-bagus juga ternyata lho! menurut ceritanya.

Selain liat kembang api dari pemerintah, ada beberapa cara lain juga buat menikmati malam tahun baru-an di Amsterdam buat kalian yang emang sengaja pergi ke Amsterdam untuk tahun baruan. Kalau saya sih, indoor sudah pasti lebih enak dan hangat. Walaupun tahun ini, malam tahun baru nggak sedingin tahun-tahun berikutnya! Nggak tau deh harus sedih atau seneng.

1. Oliebollen dan Champagne (Belanda banget) 

Perayaan Tahun Baru di Belanda nggak lengkap tanpa tumpukan oliebollen dan champaigne (50%nya buat di pop dan diciprat ciprat, sisanya baru diminum). Oliebollen itu gorengan manis. Adonannya berbentuk bola yang kemudian digoreng dan ditabur gula halus diatasnya. Arti Oliebollen literally bola minyak. Ternyata konon katanya, tradisi ini berakar pada mitos Jerman kuno bahwa oliebollen harus dikonsumsi untuk menangkal roh jahat. Pedagang oliebollen ini bisa ditemukan dimana aja di seluruh kota.

2. Book restaurant with a view

Kalau nggak ada kenalan di Belanda atau males berdesakan dengan orang-orang dari segala penjuru belanda di Amsteram, sebaiknya cari restaurant yang tempatnya strategis dan punya acara NYE. Cari restoran dengan pemandangan panorama. Beberapa di antaranya adalah Mr Porter di W Hotel, Kanvas di Volkshotel, Sky Lounge di Hilton Doubletree, A’dam lookout 360 Amsterdam. Kalau punya budget lebih dan pengen duduk-duduk ngerayain cantik, tempat-tempat itu cocok.

3. Jalan-jalan di sekitar kanal

Kalau sudah terlambat pesen tempat di restoran atau pesta, atau memang nggak siapin budget, maka jalan-jalan di sekitar kanal adalah salah satu cara untuk menikmati kembang api dan merasakan tahun baru seperti lokal. Kembang api dijual hanya beberapa hari dalam setahun di Belanda dan biasanya orang-orang lokal go crazy dan nggak ragu merogoh kocek merekea sendiri. Segera setelah gelap, kembang api bakal jedar jedor dari segala penjuru. Banyak sekali kembang api tidak resmi (hanya dari penduduk) di alun-alun utama kota seperti Dam Square, Rembrandtplein, Nieuwmarkt dan Leidseplein. Malam Tahun Baru di Amsterdam sering disamakan dengan ‘zona perang’ oleh orang-orang yang pernah datang. Jadi hati-hati!

4. Seperti saya, hanya di rumah dan pergi ke poin kembang api yang diselenggarakan pemerintah. Di Het Scheepvaartmuseum atau di Java Eiland
Kemarin kami ke Java Eiland karena lebih dekat dengan rumah dan ada jembatan yang katanya ‘the best view point’ untuk menikmati kembang api dari pemerintah. On the way kesana masih oke, jalanan masih cenderung ke arah sepi dan sesekali bunyi kembang api. Tapi di jalan pulang, bener-bener rasanya kaya di lapangan perang (suara tembakan dsb). Lumayan ngeri sih! Tipsnya kalau ada orang mainan kembang api di tengah jalan, berhenti atau pelan-pelan dulu. Tapi pengalaman yang seru sih 🙂
Once, again HAPPY NEW YEAR. Semoga tahun ini semakin gemilang, seperti terlahir kembali dan mereset harapan-harapan dan mimpi-mimpi itu.

 

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Europe Events Family Germany Hidup di Belanda

Lebaran di Grand Mosque Koln, Jerman

9th July 2017 - 7 min read

Alhamdulillah, kita bisa merayakan hari kemenangan lagi tahun ini. Dan tahun ini lebih spesial karena bisa merayakan bareng dengan mama bapak. Mereka berdua datang dalam rangka berkunjung untuk Wisuda PHD mbak Fany (yang ternyata tertunda hingga November). Tapi karena tiket sudah terlanjur kebeli, mereka tetap berangkat ke Belanda.

Sudah beberapa kali belakangan ini saya menerima whatsapp broadcast group soal masjid baru di Turki yang sangat modern nan megah. Masjid ini bentuknya lain daripada yang lain dan diklaim sebagai masjid yang paling modern di Eropa. Bagaimana tidak, arsitektur dalamnya mencerminkan sisi progresif islam dan memutarbalikan anggapan bahwa islam harus melulu tradisional dan dibangun dengan kayu. Bapak dan mama were quite intrigued and so was I.

Sebenarnya perjalanan ke masjid ini sama sekali nggak terencana, tapi Bapak dan mama sudah berwacana minta untuk dibawa kesana. Saya terbuka dengan ide itu, tapi saat Bapak mengutarakan keinginan untuk sholat eid disana di H-2 lebaran saya agak kaget juga. Alasannya, karena Masjid itu bukan masjid Indonesia dan pastinya punya peraturan-nya sendiri. Apalagi saat saya buka websitenya semuanya bahasa Turki dan Jerman. Untungnya saya punya kolega Turki yang mau membantu untuk mengartikan bahkan menelponkan panitia masjid di Grand Mosque.

Ternyata di masjid Turki, sholat eid hanya wajib untuk pria, tidak bagi wanita (atau sangat jarang). Jadi pada umumnya, masjid tidak menyiapkan tempat khusus untuk shaf perempuan dan hanya memprioritaskan sholat untuk pria. Bahkan memberi kan ruang khusus wanita untuk pria-nya. Dan panitia masjid Grand Mosque pun tidak bisa menjawab saat ditanya apakah akan ada ruang khusus untuk wanita. Yang jelas, masjid akan penuh dengan pria. Terutama tahun ini adalah sholat ied pertama yang digelar di masjid ini. Kami pun tetap memutuskan untuk datang tanpa ekspektasi apa-apa dan sudah ikhlas jika memang tidak bisa sholat. Yang berbeda lagi dari masjid turki adalah sholat eid dilaksanakan pukul 6.15 pagi sedangkan masjid Indonesia di Belanda baru dilaksanakan antara pukul 09.00 hingga 10.00.

Dengan berbekal informasi itu saya dan kakak saya cepat-cepat menyewa mobil dan mencari akomodasi. Alhamdulillah semuanya dilancarkan..

Kami menyewa mobil dari snappcar dan menginap di sini. Dua-duanya super memuaskan. Untuk persewaan mobil ada hal yang perlu diketahui, Jerman adalah Green zone jadi mobil yang digunakan harus berstiker tertentu (green sticker), jika tidak bisa kena denda atau tidak boleh masuk. Tidak hanya Jerman yang menganut anti-air-pollution, tapi juga Austria dan beberapa negara bagian lain.

Kami tiba satu hari sebelum Idul Fitri dan atas usul bapak, kami sholat maghrib di Masjid Grand Mosque agar bisa menikmati kemegahannya dengan lebih puas dan tidak terburu-buru. Tanpa kami ketahui ternyata ada buka puasa yang diselenggarakan oleh panitia masjid tersebut. Kami ditarik oleh salah satu panitia masjid tersebut, wanita Turki yang baiknya masya Allah. Ah indahnya kebersamaan ini, rasanya tidak ada yang membedakan kita walaupun kita tidak mengerti bahasa masing-masing, tapi kami semua saudara. Kami merasakan sekali kehangatan di dalam ruangan makan itu. Makanannya pun enak sekali.

Keesokan paginya kami siap-siap dan ternyata Grand Mosque menyiapkan tempat untuk wanita sholat. Kecil sekali dan tidak sebanding sama sekali dengan di Indonesia atau masjid Indonesia di Belanda, namun saya dan mama bersyukur sekali bisa berkesempatan sholat Eid. Karena saking terbiasanya, jika tidak sholat Eid rasanya bulan Ramadhan dan puasa sebulan nggak afdol 😀

Ada satu perbedaan lagi yang kami temukan saat sedang sholat, mereka melaksanakan sholat dengan 5 takbir di rakaat pertama lalu alfatihah, kemudan di rakaat kedua alfatihah yang diikuti dengan takbir 3 kali. Karena saya nggak ngerti (dan nggak fokus) setelah alfatihah di rakaat kedua, bagian imam takbir, saya rukuk, kemudian berdiri lagi. Baru ‘samiallahu liman hamidah’ saat saya sedang sujud hahah. Dan anehnya orang-orang di bagian perempuan itu juga salah, yang berarti mayoritas wanita-wanita itu bukan dari Turki. Karena kebanyakan perempuan Turki tinggal di rumah dan mempersiapkan makanan untuk keluarganya.

Setelah trip ini saya bahagia karena bisa menghabiskan lebaran dengan keluarga, yang jarang sekali terjadi. Saya sampai sudah tidak ingat kapan terakhir kali saya idul fitri dengan mama bapak. Alhamdulillahh.. Selain itu saya tidak akan pernah lagi berburuk sangka akan perbedaan. Dalam hal ini, kami semua islam walaupun kami mempraktekannya berbeda, tapi bukan berarti salah. Saya ingat kata Ust Quraish Shihab soal pertanyaan mengenai bagaimana dengan Islam dan cara yang berbeda-beda. Beliau menggunakan analogi penambahan. 7+3=10, apa 5+5 bukan 10, apa 6+4 bukan 10, apa 2+8 bukan 10?

Selamat Berlebaran semuanya.. Semoga ibadah kita diterima di sisi Allah SWT dan bisa bertemu kembali dengan lebaran-lebaran berikutnya. Aamiin aamiin yarobbal alamin.

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Events Milestone

Tommy Christmas Party / Farewell

19th December 2015 - 4 min read

There is always an end after the beginning.

I finally closed my chapter in Tommy and ready to move on to a new adventure. There has been ups and downs during my time in Tommy until now they have been part of my life and family. But of course all the memories will remain. A fond memory……

My Tommy chapter was closed in the same time as the Christmas party which every year has always been held in the most fun way possible. The theme this year is Spain party. Amsterdam RAI hall was magically transformed to a bull arena. The flamenco dancers were even be the part of the entertainment.

I had a little bit mixed feeling because it was my last day. I did not have any expectation about farewell, gifts or any such thing. But what I received was out of expectations. My manager, was secretly observing me and being super thoughtful. He knows me very well. He initiated the gift of a trip voucher, with contribution of others of course. What could have been better than that! But the gift was small compared to all the memories I have collected. My mind flew back to Feb 2014, my first day. I had never known what to expect, and again what I received was out of expectations. Not only had I had experiences, but I found a family.

My manager has cold and difficult personality, he literally hates everyone. Therefore, by the fact that he thought about arranging a gift for me, was captivating me. Not only that, he also delivered a very sweet speech. Not cheesy sweet, but sweet in his own way. He said that once there were only darkness, then there came some lights (read: me). He was sorry that they tried anything to keep me but nothing worked.  But he said he’s proud of me that I followed my heart. I left because of principle, and principle leads to a character. The last ones mean a lot to me….

I thanked God that I am blessed with these experiences and these people.

The following are pictures that sum up the night (to remember)

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Ready for a new year and a new challenge.

Toedlooo Tommy Family!!!!!

xx

Dreams Europe Events Germany

Frankfurt Book Fair 2015

21st October 2015 - 6 min read

Once again, I got another opportunity to go somewhere with basically no significant efforts but had a huge impact in my life.
It’s an offer from my sister and family because they had one free seat in the car. I was a little reluctant in the beginning, but then I thought this was the biggest book fair in the world with more than 100 countries participated, and 7000 exhibitors. Especially, by the fact that Indonesia was being the guest of honor this time which (normally) will not come twice. Indonesia had to wait for 5 years to get to this position. I guess, this was meant to be for me to attend as well. I just needed to tag along in the car, and spend some bucks for the extra bed as well as some food and entrance ticket. What else could I ask for?

Frankfurt Book Fair: the world’s largest event of the publishing industry. The Frankfurt Book Fair has a tradition that spans over more than 500 years. Soon after Johannes Gutenberg had developed printing in movable letters in Mainz near Frankfurt, the first book fair was held by local booksellers. Until the end of the 17th century, it was the most important book fair in Europe. As a consequence of political and cultural developments, it was eclipsed by the Leipzig Book Fair during the Enlightenment. After World War II, the first book fair was held again in 1949 at the St. Paul’s Church. Since then, it has regained its pre-eminent position.

It turned to be a real amazing personal experience, because to be Indonesian and to be able to witness how Westerns adore the country you were born in, is definitely priceless. The sense of the pride was certainly coming in this kind of moment, in which I knew I had to cherish. All of the details of Indonesian Pavilion was done properly (huge space Indonesia got as a guest of honor), or I must say whole heartedly. Everything about it was simply marvelous, from the art installations until the performances. Not only that, but also the invited authors and contributors. They were all well-picked, all legends and again I emphasize I was super lucky to be able to meet them and admire them from close distance. Especially for the authors whom the book I read and had a relation with.

In the first day, I was strolling around and checking out some books when an architecture book was captivating me. I saw the author data, and the name was Imelda Akmal. The name was somewhat familiar, but I had never really encountered on what has she done until I opened the book and liking the concept she made in compiling the information from different architectures. The point is one, to optimize small spaces. Usually, I think thoroughly whether to purchase something. But after opening her pile of books in a section, my eyes captured one book called “Houses by Indonesian Architects”. The houses style inside the book is exactly how I visualize my future dream house. So I bought it.  I just didn’t want to not buy and regret after..
In the cashier, the woman said that the writers are somewhere around. I was looking for her to ask for photographs and autographs. She turned to be one of the influential people in architecture industry who focus in optimizing minimum space (minimalist – which fyi, I very much like the concept).  She gave me a business card and we took pictures together. I would definitely remember this time because this book would be an inspiration source of how my future house will look like.

Beside that, I also met Dewi Lestari whom the book I read and love! It’s nice to see her in person and listen to her excerpt of “Partikel”. Such an amazing and inspiring women. Being in the same room with them, with Slamet Rahardjo, Fauzi Bowo, etc give a different synergy to surroundings. Glad to experience it. I came back knowing name of authors I have never known before, and a philosophy I’ve never encountered before.

No regret at all! Caution: It’s a huge place and event, 2 days were simply not enough. Not enough to stroll around Indonesian part itself.

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Maurilla
Events Family Hidup di Belanda Milestone Netherlands

Quality weekend with Mom Dad

30th March 2014 - 7 min read
Minggu, 22.57 malam
Seperti biasa, weekend rasanya cepat sekali berlalu.. Sebodohnya ini terdengar, tapi saya pengen begadang sampai besok pagi demi memiliki quality time dengan saya sendiri dan demi punya waktu lebih panjang untuk berwiken. Nggak mau hari seninn.. hikshiks but hey reality strikes and will never experience what I have experienced this week if there is no Monday. *Cheering myself up
Anyway, it has been a good productive week for me and I should be really grateful for that. Hari Selasa, saya dan sahabat-sahabat dekat datang ke konser YUNA. Gosh, it was totally magical as I have been admiring her ever since I discovered her existence in this planet, back on 2010 if I am not mistaken. She has such a pure incredible voice, I guess she was born with such talent. She sings genuinely and what is more important for me is that she speaks her soul out. I consider one to be very lucky to be able to sing out her feeling beautifully.
It is such a great night that I will always remember. Especially, I got the chance to have a little conversation after concert with the star whom I fell in love deeper to due to her humbleness. I am very luckyy!!! Oh, and I got to take a picture together with her.. 🙂 Alhamdulillah
Left to right: Nadya (whom by accident I bumped into), Prita (it was her bday that day), YUNA, me, Alda

ps I held my tears when I was with those people, but when we said goodbye, I cried my heart out like a baby calling my ‘bestfriend’ to tell him how bad I miss him. It is wonderful how such a star could give an influence.

And this weekend is the last weekend my mom and dad will stay. I do not have the time to be sad as I merely want to focus on how to make them enjoy their last days, at least I wanted to take them to places they have never been. Moreover, these last 2 days, the weather has been amazing, temperature is very warm. I am very much grateful for that as it really determines their enjoyment and excitement of them in wandering around hihihihihi
I took them to a petite city nearby the city where I live. It is called Leiden. It is one of the oldest cities in The Netherlands, it is located on the Old Rhine. Back at the 18th century the won the first place as ‘superlative, I forgot what it is’ and offered a huge amount of money, however they were more focused on educating their local people, that’s why they bargained to build the Leiden University instead of having the money, which has become as top 50 university worldwide and took part on creating the first map for colonializing Indonesia. What an ironic story.
It was 20 degrees that day! super amazing.. bought an ice cream for Aqila 🙂 we are all happy nevertheless, although not everything we got to see as we were there already late that the cruise we wanted to ride was already gone. On Sunday, I took them to Amsterdam visiting Rijksmuseum, the first National Historical museum in the Netherlands. It is fulled by paintings of amazing artists, mainly Dutch, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, etc. Surprising thing acquired from this visit is that now I know a lot of arts movement particularly in the Netherlands, was inspired by the Art Nouveau (new art) from France, which was influenced by Japanese, which mainly got an effect from INDONESIAN ART. We’re steps forward back then!
But hey even though nothing is perfect and not everything came as expected, the most essential thing is, we enjoyed and cherish the moment. What’s the meaning of a vacation if we’re rushed by the time, is the journey and the enjoyment that matters.. Every time passes is permanent, why not seize it instead 🙂 Carpe diem.
Dad and Aqila are using the binocular in the middle of a impeccable view between lake and mill

 

In front of a Dutch typical home, yet it was decorated more in an artsy and colorful way

 

Spring has sprung.. Such a beautiful color

 

Me standing with my javanese face among lots of Nias islanders’ faces during colonial period 🙁

 

My kind of painting, me with Aqila who wanted to stick with her Tante that day
With mommy on NS train towards Amsterdam. Will miss this ‘bawel’ lady 🙁
Us on top of the windmill De Valk, Leiden. Awesome place!
Again, me and Aqila (who keeps being a photobomb in any of the selfies I tried to take that day hehe), this one is inside an old windmill (de Valk) who was built in 1611. The stairs were terrifying, but we (a 4 year old and a pair of 60s people) gratefully made it hihi deg2an pisan euy

Currently enjoying days with loved ones… counting the days before their departure. 
Love them! I am happy that I could bring smiles upon their face although just a little 🙂