Man, what a day! I swear, being a raftsman in Pecangaan is like riding a rollercoaster with no seatbelt. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s blazin’ through my window on Jl. Raya Pecangaan. I’m like, “Great, another scorcher.” But hey, I’m used to it.
Grabbed my breakfast—nasi goreng, ofc. Can’t start the day without it. I’m munchin’ away, thinkin’ about the river. The Kali Pecangaan is my life. It’s like my best bud. We’ve been through thick and thin, ya know?
So, I head out, and the streets are packed. Jl. Diponegoro is a mess! Cars honkin’, people shoutin’. I’m dodgin’ motorbikes like I’m in some kinda video game. Seriously, it’s like a scene from a movie. I almost got run over by this dude on a scooter. Like, chill, bro!
Finally, I get to the river. The water’s lookin’ good, but then I see it. Trash everywhere! I’m fumin’. Like, c’mon, people! This is our home! I start pickin’ up the garbage, mutterin’ under my breath. “Who raised you?” I’m talkin’ to no one, but it feels good to vent.
Then, outta nowhere, this kid runs up to me. He’s like, “Mister, can I help?” I’m surprised. A kid actually wants to help? I’m like, “Sure, buddy! Grab that plastic!” We’re cleanin’ up, and I’m feelin’ all warm inside. Like, maybe there’s hope for the future, ya know?
After that, I hop on my raft. It’s a bit rickety, but it’s mine. I push off, and the river’s flowin’ smooth. I’m cruisin’ down, takin’ in the sights. The mangroves on the banks are lush, and the breeze feels nice. I spot some fishermen on Jl. Pantai, throwin’ their nets. They wave, and I wave back. It’s a small-town vibe, and I love it.
But then, bam! A storm rolls in. Outta nowhere! Dark clouds, wind pickin’ up. I’m like, “Oh no, not today!” I paddle like a madman, tryin’ to get back. Rain starts pourin’, and I’m soaked. My raft’s bouncin’ around like a wild horse. I’m yellin’, “This is NOT how I wanted my day to go!”
Finally, I make it back to shore, drenched but alive. I’m laughin’ at myself. “What a ride!” I think. I see the kid again, and he’s laughin’ too. “You’re crazy, mister!” he says. I just nod. “You have no idea, kid.”
After the storm, the sun comes out again. Pecangaan looks fresh, like it just had a shower. I grab some kopi Pecangaan from a stall on Jl. Jendral Sudirman. Best coffee ever! I sit down, watchin’ the world go by.
I think about my day. The anger, the joy, the craziness. Pecangaan is wild, but it’s home. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m just a raftsman, but man, do I have stories to tell.
As I finish my coffee, I realize—life’s a river. Sometimes calm, sometimes wild. But it’s always worth the ride.