消えない | A U R I G A

消えない (kienai); Don't disappear; Jangan hilang :

This story started when she (Rahmi) went to Japan. She made a promise thatttt she would make nine (9) poems for me. Poems for Rahma (Puisi untuk Rahma): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, dan 9. Why Nine? Nine is an odd number, number before ten, and it reminisce of our birth month. Those were her poems. Although some weren't the same thing anymore, like... hmm I still love disney princess characters but that doesn't mean that I still love Jasmine Princess - Aladdin. Now, I admire Princess Merinda, Brave Movie! Ever watched her movie? She was so dam cool, she also had 3 brothers (same like me, I have two 'lil sisters and one brother), thus I can't deny that I love her character so much! Well then, I will continue to those lovely throwback moments and somehow I still remember the event even it was almost three years ago. It just simply imprinted on my mind. :)

January 24, 2012 - February 3, 2012.
January 24, 2012

I took the afternoon flight and transit in Malaysia on 8 pm. I need to wait until midnight flight around 11 pm to Japan. I spent the rest of my time for walking around at Kuala Lumpur Int'l Airport. It was so exciting and all alone. Based on my schedule, I would arrived on 25 January 2012 at 7 AM. There you go, my celfie photos:

(1st photo) Selfie at the Soekarno - Hatta Airport, after crying due to said goodbye to ummi (mom) and papah (dad). I went alone there but happy (simply 'cause it was my first time, like yeayyy!),

(2nd and 3rd photos) Selfie at the KLIA Airport, amazed when I saw Malaysian civilization and somehow I was a bit tacky :D (masih muda ya?)

(4th photo) Meal that were served during Japan Trip, (5th and6th photos) the KLIA Airport

January 25, 2012

I arrived at Narita Airport, when the weather was so terrific cold! Confused to get out of the plane and where should I go because there’s no direction. Then, I followed the bunch of people whom exit from the airport. Then, I arrived at the Immigration Counter. They asked and checked the reason why I visit and where to stay and return ticket. Once I get out of the huge building of Narita Airport, I asked to Japanese security guard how to buy train tickets and he kindly showed me where I have to buy and to wait for the train.

The weather was very cold, I put on my gloves. The people was wondering my appearance, maybe because I wear hijab but... ah never mind (mungkin hanya perasaan saya saja). Frantically, I just took a train to the Rahmi’s dormitory. Two days before I went to Japan, she e-mailed me how did I get to her dorm. Because she had whole day mandatory class, so she couldn’t pick me up and here's her list she gave me:

Get out from the airplane, just follow the road to the airport train (there’s a liaison between the flight),
Follow the people and check the queue for visas, etc.
Take the lift down,
Don't forget to take your suitcases.
Look at the information direction. Don't hesitate to ask if you want to reach Musashi Kosugi St. about which train should you take and buy your tickets
Find the station below. Again, don't be embarrassed for asking!
Put your ticket to the train ticket machine and wait after the ticket went out of the engine do not forget to take the ticket! Save that until you arrived at Musashi Kosugi St.
Then, I asked her the same information, if I want to go to Hiyoshi St. what I should do and what train I should take?
Buy train tickets, ask security guard directly.
Enter the ticket and take that again, Save the ticket!
Arrive at Hiyoshi St.
Walk straight the yellow road about 15 minutes.
And in case you'll lost in translation and its too complicated, prepare 1500 yen for a taxi ride to get to my dorm.

As she expected, what happened to me was I lost the direction in step number 7. I arrived in Musashi Kosugi and I asked with my insufficient English and those Japanese answer was "eigo wa shaberanai" : means they didn't speak English as they crossed their arms. Therefore, I just took my map of the suitcase. Finally, I found a queue for a taxi and I asked taxi driver as I showed him the dorm map with address Yokohama-shi, Kouhoku-ku,Hiyoshi. Then he lifted my suitcase!

Almost Japanese taxi was antique, well maintained, and neat. I just pray that it's not far to Rahmi’s dorm. I saw many elementary school children who were riding a bicycle while joking (seperti di dorama, fikirku). After that, I gave the money to the taxi driver, took the cash return and got receipt (I got surprised that there's automatic machine to gave a cash return). The taxi driver also told in Japanese but I can interpret that he said:

Hebat bisa masuk Keio University. Semangat ya nona belajarnya, Gambaru! (Sambil mengepal tangannya)

I kept silence and just said: haik!

(Though I just visited my sister here, it just turned out that the fact where Rahmi chose for exchange student was very very prestige).

Then, I went up to the third floor, took stairs while carried my suitcase. In the previous, Rahmi said she won't lock her door and her roommate – Midori, she already knew, I would come but it seems like she was sleeping because I hear no sound when I knock on the door.

Immediately, I went to her room and turned on the heating equipment because the outside was so cold. I arrived at 10 am and fell asleep until she was home & she surprised me...

Rahmi: Rahmaaaaaaa, sampe juga loooo!!! Rahmaaaaaa, gue kangen !!!
Me : What the hell sih mi, I still want to sleep...
Rahmi: Yahhh rahmaaa, Terus kapan siap-siap nya? Nanti bangun jam 4 sore ya!

4 pm, I woke up and saw she already fell asleep next to me. Finally, I look around her room (there’s kitchen, bathroom which separated from the toilet) I was arranging food which mom has bought and prepared before I went to Japan... like rendang, potatoes, instant noodle and another food.

Its 5 pm already and got ready to start my first trip to KYOTO !

Rahmi said, we boarded with train to Shinagawa St., then we waited for 1 am night bus. We departed from Hiyoshi St. at 10 pm and was amazed when I arrived in Shinagawa St. at 11 pm. Asked why? At there, we could see the busy traffic among pedestrians even though the weather was cold!

We carried one suitcase for food supply and also clothes. Finally, our bus came. Decker bus! Sitting beneath and adjacent to Rahmi. We can't describe its feeling, but we felt happy to be on vacation together.

On that time, the temperature showed 5 degrees Celsius (winter) and I've been setting up her jacket and several layers before am dying slowly, but not for Rahmi :).

January 26, 2012

Woo-hoo, we arrived around 6.30 am to KYOTO!

We got off from the bus and we’re freezing. We’re looking for where the bus station location, seems like Rahmi want to be like Dora the explorer. I relied on her sophisticated smartphone. She asked me to wait somewhere while she’s around, because I couldn’t read Japanese letters. No wonder the station was so crowded during rush hours, which again it surprised them to see me wearing hijab on that beautiful country. Rahmi finally came back! She led me to buy a bus ticket for one day ride (sepuasnya) for 500 yen only! Unfortunately, the locket was not open yet. We were starved and confused whether should we bought something to eat or should not.

“Hold on ya ma, remember... we want take a look in nature instead of kulineran,” said Rahmi.

I just smiled and we drank our water and snacks (sad huh? But, again I am thankful)

After getting those tickets, she greeted junior high school students. “Maybe they just want to practice English,” she said. Kyoto was not like Tokyo, if its in Indonesia, we can compare that place to Yogyakarta.

We went to the hostel that she booked before. It was cheap and neat. Got one room which contains 6 bed. Therefore, we haven't been able to check in yet cause the check in time was 3 pm. We carried our suitcases and without wasting time, we went to the first location.

Fushimi Inari

This temple is Rahmi’s favorite. That's one of her dreams to stand in there. Yeah, its a shooting’s place of Memories of Geisha ! I just noded because it was soooo coooolddd and so quite. I am sorry I kept repeating "cold" term in this writing. Well, because it's winter so anyone rarely want to visit here, maybe spring or summer there would be visited by plenty of people. I had complained to her why this city terrific quiet. But she humbly replied,

“Sepi itu indah ma!”

Right but yeah silence has its comfort... (ngomong dalam hati)

After we went down from there, we saw the matcha (green tea) ice cream and puff shops! We bought ice cream around 300-500 yen and it was tasty.

Matcha ice cream in Kyoto was super tasty !

Next destination, we went to Kiyomizu-dera temple!

While lookig at the map, she told “Kita ke Kiyomizudera ya ma !”

We already bought one day bus ticket, we can take buses everywhere that we want. This time, it was the grandest temple that I’ve ever visited until now!

It was kinda true what she said,

“Walau bayarnya mahal. Tapi, ini kuil paling berkesan nantinya buat lo ma.”

From the top, we could see Kyoto Tower and the scenery was beautiful and has a mystic feeling. At that time, many students were wearing a sailor uniform (lihatnya seperti sailormoon). Rahmi said if we came on spring season, the temple will be filled with cherry blossom - Sakura, or autumn will be filled with maple leaves - Momiji (orange and brown feeling). I found snowdrop flowers in there! After that, from Kiyomizudera, we confused about getting to the hostel. Eventually, we were leading to the Kyoto Eki (Kyoto Station) then it's already dark if I'm not mistaken. But before we returned to hostel she invited me to eat. Yeay! We ate in Sukiya!

There I ate beef bowl with chopsticks (its very Japanese!) However, we're still hungry after eating that big bowl. So, we got the urge or plan to cook instant noodle later that night at the hostel.

After arriving in hostel, we met the owner and he told us the story that he living in Indonesia for almost 2 years. He talked a lot of things in Bahasa. By the time we came he already greet “Selamat datang, tadi sudah kemana saja?” Although his accent was rather odd, but we appreciated. I slept in below the two bunk beds and Rahmi chose to sleep on top of bed. That night, the weather -5 degree Celcius and I didn't want to open my blanket.

Felt both exhausted and happy!

January 27, 2012

That morning, we were ready at 9/10 am and had neatly dressed and had a great breakfast (indomie :p), then get ready to explore Kyoto! (I wasn't able to update the location on SNS) my phone was blackberry gemini. lol.

We visited the nearby temple. Rahmi saw the weather forecast on her cell phone and she said that day it's going to snow! I was excited and didn't forget to wear super triple clothes and one jacket, also I brought my gloves. And and and, we arrived at ....

Nijo Castle
This castle was so big and we took a look surround this temple. At the main temple, we must take off our shoes to look and see what was inside (Yes, like the royal museum). No need to rush to see another temple, we were quite happy at that time.

Also the snow came down! That's my one of bucket checklist dreams was came true, to sae what kind of snow shape. Tacky, wasn't it? But it doesn't matter, it's for the first time that able to see the snow. Rahmi took these photos :

Because of different directions with the temple, we should we went further, we need to go to the Kyoto St. again. Changing buses schedule there and it's okay a lil bit tired. That was our last day in Kyoto. We waited under the bus terminal after seeing the bus schedule to next destination. Under the bus terminal, there was a sort of underground mall that connects the terminal to the station. After the bus came on time, we went to Ryōan-ji – its probably nothing special, just a lot of sand garden beautifully landscaped and manicured.

Then we went to Ginkakuji, somewhat such a distant journey. But, this cannot be missed! Because this was a place where tourists visit often. I was so amazed to see many tourists here and take pictures. Temple of the Silver Pavilion. It's the popular name of this place. many parks around it and again I was amazed by this city.

After that I went again to Kinkaku-ji which is the translation of the golden pavilion, different nuances. The color is all gold, there is a special story behind the beauty of this temple, can be read at Kinkaku-ji - Golden Pavilion.

Cool right? And when it was already at 2/3 pm. One more place that she wanted to visit was Arashiyama (where Monkey Park was!)

Because of different location and long distance to Arashiyama, we fell asleep on bus (mungkin sampai satu jam?) After we arrived at the bus terminal (entah dimana) we need to replace the bus to another bus. 500yen ticket was not valid in Arashiyama on that time.

We met with the family from Indonesia who was on vacation in Japan and unfortunately they were puzzled to communicate with Japanese which the average population of this country formerly could not speak English. Then the head of the family (father) greeted us, and asked what if they want to go to Bamboo Forest which and what bus should they take. Rahmi showed them where they should get off. Well, she always happy when she got the turn that she can help. But, I never thought that we had same feeling : we get jealous. If only we could invite our parents to here to travel on this beautiful country.

Yes it still has plenty of time (the way we were telepathy-ing... is kinda...)

I got there, we got off and had buffeted by strong winds once. It's terrific terrible awestruck very very cold! ARGH! We were looking for the toilet and went directly to the monkey park. Unfortunately, it already closed at 4 pm because we should climb up to the mountain to see the monkey park. It took half an hour and ticket counter was already closed.

“Ya mungkin lain kali ma, semoga bisa kesini lagi ya ma”

Saya meng-amin-kan. Ya nggak apa-apa.

Then, we looked around, took pictures with stone written Arashiyama. Yes ARASHI, it is our idol.

Photo with "Arashi" kanji and also been able in Japan, made both of us happy.

"Ya nggak apa-apa."

We went to hostel then bought and ate instant rice with rendang and abon. Also packing for the next day that we were going back again to Tokyo !

January 28, 2012

from KYOTO to TOKYO !

Today, we woke up in the morning and and at 12.30 pm the bus was heading to Tokyo. Yup it difficult to read a map where the bus will be landed in the parking lot (katanya rahmi tidak ada translate-an bahasa inggrisnya ma). Finally after buying Mcd (potatoes, soft drinks and milkshakes) We entered the bus. And the bus was not a double-decker bus, but the bus was very large with a hood that can be closed so that our head blocked by sunlight. I was amazed as in the business class aircraft. Rahmi said, she accidentally order a better bus to go home, so she could rest well.

Yes, she slept all the way (as she always did, what a nap queen ckck)

I'm still awake, looking at the street, also streaming High School movie (Korean drama, ah, I'm sorry I forgot the title was). But, anyway she possessed me to watch that drama. I finally fell asleep until 6 pm. I wake up because the bus arrived at one of the rest area on the highway for the passenger went to a toilet or bought a drink, maybe. She accompanied me to buy a drink and I went to the toilet. I amazed with the toilet, so many button ! ahhh im so confused at that time.

And I arrived at one of the metro line and walk to the station, we get a short train ride and arrived at her dorm. Finally we arrived around 10/11 pm !

Welcome to spooky but warm room (what a typical of Rahmi)

January 29, 2012

READY TO EXPLORE TOKYO !

Yeay!!!
That day I cannot wait to go around Tokyo, Shibuya and also famous districts (like Harajuku etc.) And I saw a lot of things there. From Shibuya, immediately I saw Haciko Statue! What a cool statue! People at there dressed so stylish. Continue-ing from there, I crossed the cool-crowded shibuya streets.

After that I was walking through Omotesando. Duh! The third list! Omotesando and took some photos there. The road was very order and neat but there's like demontration about gempatsu which means nuclear prohibition. Also, I went to cloth shops (tapi gak beli pastinya). After Omotesando, we headed to Harajuku. I just remembered that morning we did not eat breakfast and she invited me to a place to eat where we can drink freely and eat quite a lot! We ate at Ootoya (which now exist in Indonesia as well). After that we continue our way to Harajuku Street, duh... oh... this is paradise for Japanese fashion fans. Many costume play and cute clothes (kawaii-stuff) can be found in here with very reasonable for our pocket. I was there, I was stand at Harajuku Station. Ahh this place was so cool, I photograph from the outside station (Its the oldest train station in Japan) & one where the movie was filmed in there.

Remember the dog that was waiting there? That's Haciko!

On the afternoon, we intended to spend time in Tokyo Tower! Yeayyy and that's the way that she always walked to go her campus life. Finally, she took a photo in front of her ex-campus. Majestic campus and from that, it can be seen the Tokyo Tower. We're getting nearer!!!

Tokyo Tower
Because it's night, already dark and extremely cold, we walked in tokyo tower. Rahmi could pay half of the ticket price with her student card while I paid full. We looked up to the top. Uwahhh, dari bawah saja keren apalagi diatas fikirku.

After we bought ticket, we were picked up by the women who led us into the elevator. And after went into the elevator, then it's open. Uwaahhhh. Such a wonderful reality and I got my dream came true again! Those dreams, we’re in the huge Tokyo Tower. Hihiii, happiness.

We took a selfie, smile, smile, and smile. (but yes this was not the first time for Rahmi here) but still, there she must definitely felt a different feeling when I was there. (ge er... *grinning)

After done exploring Tokyo that day, we walked and fight the cold weather. And we came home.

Tertidur lelap...

January 30, 2012

Today we plan to not go anywhere, because of cold weather. Rahmi who was taking care of her study and might have to see in 24 hours in front of her laptop. I lie down while chatting and watching movies. At that time, I felt guilty not went to college the week, but never mind. I had 5 days (limit) not to come from campus. I enjoyed that day.

That night I finally met Rahmi’s dorm mate, Midori Araki,

She’s beautiful, she went there to get her master’s degree and sleep next to Rahmi’s room. We’ve just met and she’s very friendly. We had chit chat about what we did and went to where while in Kyoto, and how my impression of the Japanese. After that she made the melted chocolate cake and it was very-super tasty! (I also wonder how she made it! What a perfect woman)

January 31, 2012

Two more days, I will return to Indonesia! (but please rahma, don't remind that)
That day we planned to visit Yokohama!

Rahmi's favorite city, rather quiet place and also Sho Sakurai favorite!

Sho Sakurai is Rahmi’s favorite personnel in Arashi ++ he ever studied at same university at Keio. We went to Yokohama on the afternoon because morning made us lazy for getting out of bed.

Arrived at Minato Mirai!

So quiet, silent and what a good landscapes. There is many parks, dog walking down the street with their owners. Magnificent buildings and also yes it is:

Actually, there was something interesting : ice skating! I was going to skate there, but she said its too cold ma. Later, you can play that in Indonesia. Got it mii... From there we went to the magnificent train station, look around the hello kitty’s store and amazed by the train station with various layers.

Rahmi asked me what place i want to visit, she said better you dont miss anything here.

I said, I want to see Shibuya at night.
"You surely loved the crowded place, ya ma? Boleh deh, kita transit sebentar disana"

Saya tersenyum. And Shibuya again, this time. Night at Shibuya!

February 1, 2012

That day we were going out during the day as well. Around 1 pm, finally we went to Ueno Zoo! The shooting place for Aiba-chan program (yes its personnel Arashi again!) Why it's always Arashi, you sure definitely want to know about Arashi?

They taught me to dream. Their songs was sooo amazing, the top one... ahhhh....

At Ueno Zoo, we walked around and of course took photos with panda .. yeay I've got a chance to see and met directly with panda. They were so cute!

After that we’re planning to go to the national museum, but it was closed. It was 4 pm and we confused where we will going next... And, we decided to Asakusa to buy souvenirs for family and friends. Before its getting dark, we went to Sumida River in advance where we can see the newly built Skytree and went to Asakusa afterwards.

Asakusa is quiet place(unfortunately not another season, it may not be as lonely as it was)

Yes, we are stubborn, never mind the cold as long as we can travel all over the place on our list.

From cold to hunger, we decided to Eat Sushi in Shinagawa St. One more, I amazed at Shinagawa District. From each building that interconnected and also strong winds so we walked faster to get to the restaurant. We took a queue number because it was crowded.

We took a number from queue machine and must wait like in a bank at Indonesia and because the staff saw us like the tourist, we directed to get seat which wasn't in the round table.

It was my first time eating sushi!
Hahaa, and the first time to see sushi 110 yen per plate.
She said “makan yang banyak ya ma...” (kata-kata tipikal dari keluarga kami)

At that time we were full and felt warm.

Finally, we return again to Rahmi’s dorm!

February 2, 2012

Rahmi’s dorm

Today there is no timetable to go everywhere because my supplies (money) was run out and felt bad if she get a troublesome funding because of me. But, I want to go to DisneySea and the weather was not good enough if we forced ourselves to go there. I was a bit cranky to Rahmi.

It doesnt matter, I said...

At night after packing, we ate tempura and bought chocolate ice cream too. And it's so delicious ice cream. I bought two ice cream and because tomorrow I should catch the train to the Narita Airport in the morning. It's kinda sad to leave Rahmi...

February 3, 2012
Going back to home

That Morning, we were a little bit oversleep. We were in rush! Walking and hoping to catch the train to the airport. Rahmi told me to run. I'm afraid if my suitcase broke. Yes I carried a lot of suitcase at that time. And Its a bit heavy because have to carry the Rahmi’s goods.

Ah it doesnt matter, kapan lagi saya bisa melihat Rahmi.

ditinggal setahun saja saya sudah kangen...

At that time Rahmi still feel guilty for not accomplished my list to Disney Sea, she says:

"Rahma, I will definitely go to Japan again. One day, in the future, to get my master degree, later you will visit me again and we've should settled. We can go to the place we want, eat what we want or buy anything what we want. Sorry I don't have much savings at this time"

I just nod, continue walk to stand on the train’s door

and the train was coming.

Rahmi said. "hati – hati ya ma, kabarin kalau sudah sampai.."

And I know she's sad, we also want to cry "yah gue sendiri lagi deh ma...”

In the train, I was crying and smiling (kayak adegan Cinta liatin awan pas ditinggal Ranga pergi, bedanya ya saya di kereta. Ya gitu deh..)

I am thankful for having a great twin like Rahmi.

Somehow, writing this throwback stories makes me cry. (Rahmi sud sad if she read it, if not I will punch you.. hhahaaa)

Wanna know the reason why I cry?

It was on 2012 and God did not put off a lot of time for realize-ing our dreams and Rahmi’s promise at that time. On 2014, I visited her again, right as what we've planned... We've been able to go anywhere, eat anywhere with our own costs, and Rahmi always kept her words.

“Kalau ke Jepang lagi suatu saat nanti, Rahmi bakal traktir ke Disney Sea ya, Ma! Janji!”

This was her posting when we were in Japan 2014 - March 19-31, 2014

Magic. Dpn't you think so?

God is good. We just need to believe. Imagine it, you surely can get it.
Rahmi, is my infinity.
She said...

"At least if I lost, my story is still there in you"

so did i.

here's the link to see my photo trip: Part 1 and Part 2