my first day in Pekanbaru was nothing but sleep. it was raining all day. i always bring instant food in my trip because i want to save money. just as soon as i check in the hotel (110 000 rupiah/night) I’ve put my bag on the floor, as i was coming back from the toilet, my backpack left pocket was teared apart and all the food was on the floor half eaten by the rat. it was upsetting moment as well as funny. a few hours after that (after i tidy up the mess), i went to food stall to have my only meal at that day. as i was eating there on my own, i was approached by the stall owner. he asked me who am i with and where i was staying. i told him that i was staying in the front hotel and i was waiting for my friend to come over at night (i just followed the advice I’ve read in the Lonely Planet Indonesia book, to tell whoever ask me who am i with and answered that I’m waiting for my friend). and it was a bit bizarre as i was asked by the locals the same question over and over. the whole night that day, i cant sleep. even if i did, i was sleeping and thinking at the same time. it gave me headache. the hotel was so quite. as quite as grave. it scared me actually. i can hear foot steps, even if people whispered, it did sounds clear to me. the next morning, i check out so early in the morning. i hand the key and went back to the food stall in front of the hotel. just like yesterday, the owner asked me the same question and this time he expect me to tell the truth. after seeing him so determine to know, i told him that i was alone the whole day yesterday, and today im leaving to bukittinggi to meet my friend there (another lie). then he look shocked and he told me i wasn’t supposed to stay there because it was a prostitute hotel. all the guy that asked me yesterday was my potential client (that how he addressed those guy..yukkksss). i was terrified thinking what they thought of me. but since i was still in one piece and safe i should be okay. at least that what i was thought.

then the trafel (mini van for interstate destination) arrived. it was only me and the driver. as we talk, the driver asked me the same stupid question. who am i with since he know where i stayed last night. i told me the same lie. then he look at me with that scary look and the told me that i have a great body and how he wished he could touch me. i was just quite and didn’t even look at him. i swear in myself, if he even dare to put his finger on me, i will jump out of the trafel and book a fly back home ticket. fortunately he did nothing for thank god. then came in the other passengers. 2 decent looking guys and 2 moms with babies. i was relief. along the way to bukittinggi, it was high level flood and raining non-stop. the journey that was supposed to take 4 hours to bukittinggi became 7hours journey. then the driver was receive phone call from his friend telling him about the earth quake in acheh and jakarta. high level flood and land slide. despite all the problem, i still make it to bukittinggi and book more decent look and expensive hotel. it was located just near the marapi mount (most active volcano in sumatera island). same as my night in pekanbaru, i did sleep only because of the raining and i was arrived at the hotel late at night. i have ordered for room service for my only meal that day. my parents was worried of me after they watched the 7.6 earth quake news and flood. thats how i decide to come back the next morning in padang.i was force to take an emergency fly back ticket because of the weather.

i woke early that morning. then i opened the window to see the morning view. it was nothing i could see other than fogs and sulfur-like smell. as i was returning the key in the reception table, i asked one of the staff about the weather, they told me that, minor volcano explosion happened last night. it was normal because of the earth quake. at that time i know that i really have to fly back or my parents will admitted into the hospital by heart attack. along the way to padang, there was land slide, and raining, but i like the taxi driver. he was so cool and fun. whenever i asked him why is that water coming down from the hill like that. he will tell me with nothing but with calm face that i was near to collapsed rock. it was not there. i was from the earth quake yesterday etc..etc..then i arrived at padang save and sound. i bought the ticket and now im at home.

everybody was laugh at me because of my extremely short adventure. but its okay. i have already book another ticket to vietnam-china-macau-thailand. i plan to do it solo. finger cross on that. cant wait for another adventure. even this time was really short, but it didn’t failed to teach me.