Man, what a day! I woke up in Surabaya, and I swear, the sun was already roasting me like a chicken on a grill. I’m a stove-maker, right? So, I should be used to heat, but this was next level. I live near Jalan Tunjungan, and lemme tell ya, that street is always buzzing.
So, I’m outta bed, chugging my kopi tubruk, and thinking, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Ha! Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. First, I head to my workshop on Jalan Gembong. I’m all set to craft this fancy stove for a customer. But guess what? My tools are missing! Like, poof! Gone! I’m searching everywhere, even under my cat, Si Kucing. That little furball just looked at me like, “Dude, you really think I’d hide your stuff?”
I finally find my hammer in the weirdest place—inside an old pot. I mean, who does that? Anyway, I’m hammering away, and suddenly, the power goes out. Classic Surabaya, right? I’m sweating bullets, cursing the universe. I’m like, “Come on, man! I just wanna make a stove!”
So, I decide to take a break. I stroll down to Jalan Basuki Rahmat to grab some street food. You know, the good stuff. I’m eyeing those soto and tahu campur stalls. My stomach’s growling louder than a motorcycle on Jl. Raya Darmo. I get my soto, and it’s like a flavor explosion in my mouth. I’m in heaven, but then—BAM! A motorcycle splashes water all over me! I’m drenched, and my soto’s ruined. I’m standing there, looking like a soggy noodle, and I just laugh. What else can ya do, right?
After that, I head back to my workshop, still dripping. I’m trying to focus, but my mind’s racing. I’m thinking about how Surabaya’s got this crazy vibe. One minute, you’re chillin’ at a cafe on Jalan Pahlawan, and the next, you’re dodging puddles like it’s an Olympic sport.
Finally, I finish the stove. It’s a beauty! I’m feeling proud, like I just built a spaceship or something. I load it up to deliver to my customer in Kenjeran. The drive is wild. Surabaya traffic is no joke! I’m stuck behind this angkot that’s going slower than a turtle on a lazy day. I’m honking, yelling, “C’mon, man! Let’s move!”
When I finally get to Kenjeran, the beach is packed. Families are having a blast, kids are running around, and I’m just trying to deliver this stove without losing my mind. I pull up, and my customer is late. I’m standing there, looking at the ocean, thinking, “Should I just take a dip?”
But then, outta nowhere, my customer shows up. He’s all smiles, and I’m like, “Dude, you made me wait!” But I can’t stay mad. He’s super excited about the stove. I show him how it works, and he’s practically bouncing. I’m like, “Okay, maybe today wasn’t a total disaster.”
On my way back, I take a detour through Jalan Semanggi. The sunset is gorgeous, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. I stop for a moment, just soaking it all in. Surabaya, man. It’s chaotic, it’s loud, but it’s home.
I get back to my place, exhausted but happy. I plop down on my couch, and Si Kucing jumps on my lap. I scratch his head, and he purrs like a little engine. I think about the day—missing tools, soggy soto, and that beautiful stove. Life’s a rollercoaster, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Tomorrow’s another day in Surabaya. Who knows what’ll happen? But I’m ready for it. Bring it on!