This
month marks all the years I have been given the trust of life in this
world. This time I will share an unforgettable childhood memory in
places that always evoke a sense of emotion every time I pass them.
Pusdai Area
I
was born in a puskesmas not far from Gedung Sate, the center of
government of West Java Province. Both my father's and my mother's families did live in areas that are not far apart. Because my father served
outside the city, I was entrusted to the house of my parents located in
Kampung Cihaurgeulis—(now) the Center for Islamic Studies and Da'wah, better known as Pusdai.
Aki
and Nini have long settled in Cihaurgeulis. That said, Aki's house was
once in the Cihaurgeulis market area before it was relocated to the
Purity Market of Bandung. As with dense settlements in the middle of the
city, the Cihaurgeus area has many alleys connected like a maze.
Narrow
alleys that not only have straight contours but also go uphill, swoop, and pass through the bridge, with the roofs of the houses that are squeezed
together. The sewer near Aki's own house is still used every morning for MCK impromptu by the bocils who are squatting down (don't imagine the
former yaa!). Some rented plotters still use MCK together for bathing,
washing, and other activities.
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| Pusdai, Jalan Surapati in 2024 |
Although
closer to Jalan Surapati—only limited to a bridge over the river that
is not large—access to vehicles (motors) can only be passed from the
direction of Jalan Diponegoro, which ends in the landfill (TPS) right
towards the highway.
In the area of Jalan Diponegoro, this is lined with culinary delights like fried foods and rabbit satay.
I
myself still remember the small alley where the favorite meatballs of my uncle and aunt were attached to the wall of RRI Bandung. On the fence,
RRI grew a wild plant full of brown, black-fur caterpillars that are
often used by cousins to prank me 😨.
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| RRI Bandung in 2024, on this wall used to line the caterpillar |
I
myself attended kindergarten in RRI Bandung. Unlike the typical
kindergarten, kindergarten RRI has no swings or slides (until now I did
not dare to ride the swing), but we were included in the radio broadcast to 'show off' the song we sang. Aki is one of the loyal fans and is
always ready to listen to her grandson singing on the radio.
 |
| Radio and Old School Tic Machine Location: Fave Hotel Depok. |
The Museum of Geology and Taman Cilaki, which is now changed to the Elderly Park, are my playgrounds. Sometimes
the outskirts of Diponegoro Road are often used for unloading of corn
harvests that become a side business of residents by helping to clean
corn flakes.
 |
| Diponegoro Road in 2024, where we used to unload corn |
Likewise,
in the area of the Cihaurgeus gang, I still remember there is a yard of
the house that is used as a place to peel red beans. Usually residents
work together while listening to the fairy tale of Si Rawing on the
radio, spoken by the legendary storyteller, Wa Kepoh. Just so you know, Wa
Kepoh reads stories alone in various types of good voices, male-female
voices, and children's-to-old-age voices.
The
Pusdai area, which has an area of 4.5 hectares, began construction in 1992 and
was inaugurated in 1997 after going through a land acquisition process
for 10 years. At that time Nini had passed away, and Aki, who began to get
sick from moving, settled down with one of my father's older brothers.
 |
| Pusdai in 2024 |
Now
Pusdai has become one of the icons of the City of Bandung, which serves as a
place of broadcasting and Islamic activities. When I had time, I still
took the time to stop by for a moment to remember the unforgettable
childhood memories that are now barely set.
 |
| Emblem 💓: That was the house of Aki and Nini, Pusdai Year 2024 |
Books
I'm a book lover.
Countless
books I had been devoured from childhood. Due to limited funds, I
rarely buy books. To meet the thirst, I will read the book. I have been a
member of the Reading Garden since I was still in grade 2 of elementary
school.
I
often wander alone if I want to play at a friend's house that is quite
far away (it used to be safe and just on foot, yes!). On this trip I
found a lot of reading gardens that provide a variety of books, from
comics (crafting Tatang S-themed superheroes with local wisdom to the
torment of hell) to various magazines.
This
hobby continues until I grow up, mainly because I found a 'sibling friend,' who is my cousin, whose age is 4 years older. We even had time
to become regular customers of the ITB Library and the British Council,
which are open to the public, as well as Hendra Reading Park, the oldest
reading park in Bandung.
 |
| Hendra Reading Park, Bandung (Source: Yovan Nainggolan, Local Guide) |
The
cousin also introduced us to one of the legendary Indonesian
bookstores, the Gramedia Bookstore, which was still a simple building
such as a warehouse. We used to walk along from home through Gasibu
Field because, in the past, public transportation was still not common and
we definitely did not have enough money. A considerable distance for
us, the bocils, as if ignored.
 |
| Gasibu Field in 2024 |
There,
we are free to read our favorite comics published in series. One memory
that I could not forget was when I accidentally tore a tabloid when my
cousin paid for our groceries, which were not much, at the cashier. As a
result, my cousin had to pay the tabloid Rp. 1,500; the nominal was
hefty at that time.
Many
places always remind me of unforgettable childhood memories. Until now,
the street around Gedung Sate has not much changed, especially the shade
of shady trees that add to the coolness. What's the other place, yes?
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