Written by : Linda Herliantina
Translated in English by : DS. Utomo
Published by : Mizan Publishing House, Bandung, Indonesia
It was too early. Only a few pale green colors that looked deliberately departed from their homes before dawn. The four teens were preparing to go to the Grass Valley.
"Have you all take jackets ? It’s very cold on the mountain ... "Aunt Ruspita warned, " Dul…,why do you not wear jeans ....?"
"He's already too fat, Auntie... .."Said Jalu.
"It's no one left behind ....?" asked Aunt once again, as she escorted them up to the gate, then waved her hand, "Be careful on the road ... ..!"
And to uncle Jatomo, Aunt said: "In the public transportation terminal later, don’t forget to buy vegetables and fruits for the children, and also for us at home ..."
They waved to aunt Ruspita who was still standing at the gate, when an old jeep started moving . Along the road leading to the city's last transportation terminal, they did not speak much, because they were still sleepy.
At the public transportation terminal, there were a lot of people selling vegetables and fruits. Uncle immediately purchased the goods aunt Ruspita ordered earlier, and handed then to Iqbal. Furthermore, Uncle saw someone sitting on a bench near the fruit seller. Turns out he was one of the guides, whose name was Samin .. After haggling about fees, uncle Jatomo then gave him money and told him:
"Uncle Samin, I entrusted the guard of children to you. If anyone naughty, just warn him.. .. "
Uncle Samin nodded. Then Uncle Jatomo waved his hand:
"Goodbye, kids .... Be careful on the road... .."
Then they began traveling. The expedition was led by Iqbal. By carrying a backpack containing clothing and books, he walked at the front. His body is tall, big and sturdy like an athlete. He hold a heavy load on his back sag. He also brought a sleeping bag rolls.
Then followed by Aryo who also carried the same innate. In addition to his books also insert medical supplies and equipment normally carried mountaineer like a compass, pocket knives, candles, matches, flashlight, and also yarn and needles.
Next Jalu with his skinny body, carried a backpack on his shoulders. Next in the procession was the teenager Dul with distended stomach, brought two backpacks, one containing clothes, and the other foods. Along the way he never stopped chewing, though breathing heavily.
In closing ranks, it looked ucle Samin, the guide. His body was muscular, tall and strong. He inherited a fairly carry weight, such as coil folding tent, cooking equipment, including pots, frying pan and other camp equipment. Apparently he was adequately trained to shoulder the heavy burden. So he brought toll the stuff easily without the slightest difficulty. Robust and steady pace, not staggered like Dul.
The Grass Valley, that's the location where the four teens were going to travel.. People call it Grass Valley because in the surrounding overgrown grass weeds. But often in the dry season stretch of grass was on fire so that scars the dry bushes.
According to the story of uncle Samin, in recent years there have lost a lot of persons . So people often call it the valley of missing persons. That’s the history of Grass Valley ...
Although the peak of the mountain is far, but there already chilly air, especially in the dry season it is today. . The Four teens were walking down a path up the dark and damp. The sky grew brighter so slowly.
At the left and right of the path there was overgrown with shrubs and wild grasses. As far as the eyes could see, the invisible presence of rice fields.
"Rainfall in the area here is very small. Here are far from rivers. The land is hard and rocky. " uncle Samin told them.
By the till at the edge of the first village, they looked narrow fields here and there. This rain-fed fields, depends entirely on irrigation only from rain.
They had reached the first village before noon. They stopped, rested and enjoyed lunch .
"Grumbul Pringsewu, the name of this village," said uncle Sámin who later explained that it means the village with thousand of bamboo trees.
After lunch and rest sufficiently, Aryo motioned to depart. Previously, he turned first to the direction he sees Dul still smack with food in its mouth.
"What, already finished eating, Dul?"
"Do not eat all of your lunch, Dul," Jalu said sarcastically as he rose. Dul the pudgy cheeks looked flushed for a moment, blushing. The others smiled. With slow motion Dul finally stood up. Her legs looked tense body weight-bearing gain weight, especially when he started carrying a backpack on his shoulders. Almost alone he sat back, if Iqbal does not quickly grab his arm.
The journey from the village of Pringsewu began to climb. This condition causes their foot steps are not as fast as earlier, especially Dul who now looks lagging far behind. Therefore, Iqbal who are in front, feeling sorry, then slow motion of her legs. They walked in silence. No more residual breath to speak.
Meanwhile the sun in the sky began to spray them with a light silvery white color. But the warmth of the rays it still could not beat the cool mountain air in the vicinity. However, the droplets of sweat began to burst out in their faces. Only uncle Samin himself who seemed still in good shape. Steady stride. Even now he leads in the vanguard with a greater and greater distance away from the group of four teens.
Finally, they also arrived at the Grass Valley in the afternoon. That Valley is a campsite that is located at the bottom of a valley. To get there we must pass through wild grass that thrives. Once down to the valley floor, they saw the beauty of the place. A small lake lies in front of them, with a very clear water, surrounded by a verdant expanse of hills around it. The voices of some forest animals drifted from this place, makes perfect symphony of nature. Expanse of white clouds that marched in the sky refract beautiful shadows on the water, because the lake is so clear. Near the lake there is an empty field is pretty wide, which is usually the place set up tents for people who often camped here.
(To be continued)
