Man, what a day! Seriously, Bondowoso is wild. I woke up thinking it’d be chill, just another day as a Visiting Prof. But nah, life had other plans.
First off, I’m staying at this cute little guesthouse on Jl. A. Yani. Super cozy, but the Wi-Fi? Ugh, don’t even get me started. I needed to prep for my lecture, but the connection was slower than a turtle on a lazy day. I was like, “C’mon, I’m in Bondowoso, not the middle of nowhere!”
So, I decided to hit up a local café. Found this spot called Kopi Bondowoso. Best coffee ever! I ordered a cappuccino, and it was like a hug in a mug. But then, I spilled it all over my notes. I was so mad! Like, why do I even bother?
After that, I had to rush to my lecture at the university. The campus is on Jl. Diponegoro, and it’s beautiful. But I got lost. I mean, how do you get lost in a small city? I ended up wandering around the Pasar Bondowoso, which is this bustling market. So many colors, smells, and people! I was like a kid in a candy store.
I saw these amazing snacks—kue cubir, and lemper. I couldn’t resist. I bought a bunch, and the vendor was super friendly. He was like, “You’re not from here, huh?” I laughed and said, “Nope, just a lost soul!”
Finally, I made it to the lecture, but I was late. The students were already there, looking at me like I was a ghost. I apologized, and they were cool about it. We talked about Indonesian culture, and they were so engaged! It made me happy. Like, this is why I love teaching.
But then, mid-lecture, the power went out. Classic Bondowoso, right? I was like, “Great, now what?” But the students just pulled out their phones and used the flashlights. It was hilarious! We ended up having this impromptu discussion in the dark.
After class, I was feeling pumped. I decided to explore more. I walked down Jl. Jend. Sudirman, and stumbled upon this beautiful park. It was so peaceful. I sat down, took a deep breath, and just soaked it all in. The mountains in the background were stunning.
But then, outta nowhere, it started to rain. I mean, come on! I ran for cover, but I was soaked. I found this little warung and ordered some nasi goreng. Best decision ever! The owner was super nice and even gave me extra sambal. I was in heaven.
As I was eating, I met this local guy named Budi. He was hilarious! We talked about everything—food, culture, and even politics. He told me about the history of Bondowoso and how it’s known for its coffee and agriculture. I was like, “Dude, I need to come back here!”
By the time I left, I was full and happy. I walked back to my guesthouse, and the streets were all lit up. It felt magical. I thought about how unpredictable the day was. From coffee spills to power outages, it was a rollercoaster.
I crashed into bed, thinking about how Bondowoso surprised me. It’s not just a city; it’s a vibe. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings. Maybe I’ll get lost again, or maybe I’ll find more hidden gems. Who knows? But I’m ready for it!