Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a ratcatcher in Balikpapan is like a rollercoaster ride, but without the safety bar. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s blazin’ through my window on Jalan Jenderal Sudirman. I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First stop, this fancy café on Jalan Soekarno-Hatta. I grab my usual kopi, and boom! I spill it all over my shirt. Great start, huh? I’m lookin’ like a walking coffee stain. But whatever, I’m a ratcatcher, not a fashion model.
Then I get a call. “Yo, we got a rat problem at the old market!” I’m like, “Great, just what I needed.” So I hop on my bike, zoomin’ through the streets. Balikpapan’s wild, man. You got the beach on one side, and then the bustling market on the other. It’s like paradise and chaos had a baby.
I get to the market, and it’s packed. People everywhere, haggling over fish and veggies. And there I am, the rat guy, lookin’ for trouble. I spot a rat the size of a cat. No joke! This thing’s strutting around like it owns the place. I’m thinkin’, “Dude, you’re not the king of this jungle!”
I chase it through the stalls. “Hey! Get back here!” I’m dodging people, knocking over a stack of pineapples. Sorry, folks! But this rat? It’s like a ninja. I swear it’s laughin’ at me.
Finally, I corner it near a stall on Jalan Yos Sudarso. I’m ready to pounce, but then—BAM! A kid throws a water balloon at me. I’m soaked! Now I’m a ratcatcher AND a water balloon target. I’m fuming, but I can’t help but laugh. This kid’s got guts!
After a wild chase, I finally catch the rat. It’s a victory! I’m feelin’ like a hero. But then, I hear a commotion. A street vendor’s shoutin’ about a missing wallet. I’m like, “Not my problem, but…” I can’t just ignore it. So I help out. Turns out, the kid who hit me with the balloon found it! What a twist, right?
I hand the vendor the rat, and he’s like, “Thanks, man! You’re a lifesaver!” I’m thinkin’, “Yeah, but I’m still wet.” But hey, I got a free lunch outta it. Nasi goreng, baby!
Later, I’m cruisin’ back home, still buzzin’ from the day. Balikpapan’s got this vibe, ya know? The sunset over the water, the smell of street food, and the sound of laughter. It’s chaotic, but it’s home.
I plop down on my couch, exhausted but happy. I think about the kid, the rat, and the crazy market. Life’s wild, man. And tomorrow? Who knows what’ll happen. But I’m ready for it. Bring it on, Balikpapan!