A Morning After the Battle
February 1st, Malang. The night before, I had faced an unexpected battle with ten cockroaches. After that, I managed only five hours of sleep. Strangely, when the number is that high, a sense of calm sets in.
In the morning, I walked into the usual gathering space. Adi’s older brother, Anan, kindly prepared breakfast for me: Nasi Goreng Ayam. He smiled and said, “It’s simple, I can make it anytime.” For a traveler like me, those words were truly comforting.
Searching for Pancakes
After breakfast, I rested for a while but soon remembered Adi’s pancakes. Curious, I asked for the address and rode my bicycle about ten minutes to reach the spot.
He usually sells them at a stall in the market, but today business had been so good that he had already closed. I laughed and said, “Ah, I missed it!” Instead of leaving me empty-handed, he kindly recommended another stall nearby.
There, I tried grilled chicken meatballs, skewered and juicy. Just 10,000 rupiah—less than one US dollar.
At the same market, I asked a man running a stall if I could take his photo. It was the first time I had asked a stranger without any real connection, but he agreed warmly. That moment gave me unexpected courage.
Encounters in the Market
As I walked back toward the bicycle area, I noticed a tree nearby. Inside its trunk, layers of pressed materials were tightly packed, giving it an unusual, almost mysterious look.
Then it was time for shopping. I headed to Respiro, a local outdoor shop. There I found a huge waterproof bag for about 4,000 yen, and a UV-protection jacket. In total, around 6,000 yen. Indonesia’s affordable prices never fail to help me as a traveler.
Just as I was about to leave, a young man on a motorbike waved and asked, “Can we take a photo together?” We posed, though I forgot to take a picture of his very cool bike. Maybe someday I’ll ride one myself.
At the shop, the friendly staff also took my picture. That was the second time today I had asked someone for a photo—something I almost never do.
Returning to a Family-Like Place
When I returned home, the space already felt like a second home. Relaxing there gave me a sense of belonging.
At night, Anan offered me Nasi Ayam. Warm meals during travel are not just food—they are gifts that touch the heart.
Later, I was even treated to Indomie, Indonesia’s beloved instant noodles. And finally, for dessert, my very first taste of durian. Its flavor was like butter mixed with garlic—strange at first, but unforgettable.
As I ended the day, I felt once again grateful. In Malang, I wasn’t just passing through as a traveler. I was welcomed, fed, and treated like family.
