Munggah Gunung

Naik naik ke puncak gunung
Tinggi tinggi sekali
Kiri kanan kulihat saja
Banyak pohon cemara

I am sure that you have ever heard this song, especially for Indonesian. It is a very common song for kindergarten or elementary school students. It’s like an anthem.

Now, I started with that song because suddenly I remember when I used to go hiking to some mountains in Java. I was not so great. I was not “Macan Gunung”. I was just fine. I did sometimes complain during the walks, I fell once or so, I shivered terribly because of the cold, and I even was carried by a friend because I could not walk anymore. I went to Sumbing at first. It was very tough for an amateur mountain hiker like me. Yet, it did not make me hold myself to have a try to another mountain. So I went to Sindoro, Lawu and Merbabu. I just reached Sumbing’s and Lawu’s top. I never made it for Sindoro and Merbabu. I do not know why, maybe I am too weak and not patient enough to reach to the top. The only reason for me to go hiking again and again was just to have another climate, another view and another rare feeling.

It was the feeling of being grateful to be created into this world, the feeling of being able to see down below, the feeling of being small and nothing, the striking touch of the cold at night sleeping under sleeping bag and to feel the heat when we went down from dawn to afternoon on the back of your neck.

Just like in the song, a long the way you could see what’s on the side, and down after you. There were so many things that you could see; the stars above you, the lights from the cities and another mountain across. At dawn, you could see the sun rise, the green trees, and the fields down before you, the narrow path, the cliffs and the shadows of the clouds. How grateful it was to feel the sun ray on your face and the fresh chilling air into your body. They’re so soothing and awakening. Then there we went again and again. We knew which part was difficult. We knew which part had perfect views. We knew which area was the best one to put up a tent. There are no surprises anymore. Things are just usual and plain now.

I hardly can see those figures. I hardly can hear sounds of the earth and heaven. I hardly can feel a thing. Feeling like you’re flying up to the sky to see more yet your feet are rooted on the ground.

Have I come to the point?

It is unexpectedly expected.

Help me up, G!