Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a parachutist firefighter in Bitung is like riding a rollercoaster that’s on fire. Seriously, I woke up this mornin’ thinkin’ it’d be just another chill day. Boy, was I wrong!
So, I’m sippin’ my kopi (that’s coffee for ya) at this little warung on Jl. Raya Bitung. The sun’s blazin’, and I’m just tryin’ to enjoy my breakfast. Suddenly, my radio crackles. “Fire at the port!” they shout. My heart drops. The port? That’s where all the action is.
I grab my gear and hop on my bike. Zooming down Jl. Yos Sudarso, dodging potholes like I’m in a video game. I can’t believe it! The smell of smoke hits me before I even see the flames. It’s like a BBQ gone wrong.
When I get there, chaos is everywhere. People are runnin’, yellin’, and I’m just tryin’ to keep my cool. I see the fire, and it’s massive! Like, “whoa, chill out, dude!” massive. I can feel the heat from where I’m standin’. My adrenaline’s pumpin’ like crazy.
I strap on my parachute. Yeah, I know it sounds wild, but trust me, it’s the best way to get a bird’s-eye view. I jump off the building nearby. The wind’s rushin’ past me, and I’m thinkin’, “This is it! Time to save the day!”
I land on the roof of a warehouse. I can see the whole port from up here. It’s like a scene from a movie. I spot some guys tryin’ to put out the fire with buckets. Buckets! Are you kidding me? I’m like, “Yo, you need a hose, not a bucket brigade!”
I radio in for backup. “We need more water, stat!” I’m feelin’ like a superhero, but also kinda annoyed. Why are we still using buckets in 2023?
Then, outta nowhere, I see a kid on the street. He’s just watchin’ the whole thing, eyes wide. I can’t help but feel for him. I mean, this is Bitung, not a disaster movie! I wave him over, tell him to stay back. “You don’t wanna be a hero today, buddy!”
Finally, the fire trucks roll in. Thank goodness! They set up hoses, and I’m feelin’ a bit better. But then, I see the fire spreadin’ to a nearby building on Jl. Diponegoro. “No way!” I shout. I can’t let that happen.
I jump back into action. I’m rappelling down the side of the building, and it’s like I’m in a spy flick. I’m thinkin’, “This is so cool!” But also, “What if I mess up?”
I hit the ground, and it’s a mad dash. I’m sprayin’ water everywhere, and it’s like a scene from a water park. I’m soaked, but I don’t care. I’m in the zone.
After what feels like forever, we finally get the fire under control. I’m exhausted but pumped. The crowd’s cheerin’, and I’m like, “Yeah, we did it!” But then I see that kid again. He’s grinnin’ ear to ear. That makes it all worth it.
As the sun sets over Bitung, I’m sittin’ on the curb, catchin’ my breath. I can still smell the smoke, but it’s mixed with the scent of fried fish from a nearby stall. I laugh to myself. Only in Bitung, right?
I think about how crazy today was. One minute, I’m chillin’ with my kopi, and the next, I’m a hero. Life’s wild, man. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Just another day in Bitung!