I was sitting and playing with my phone in the departure room when the stranger came and started the conversation after learned that I am from Jambi.
“Do you know what is considered to be the best tea in the world?” The man asked.
“Chinese tea?” I guessed.
“Nope” He said.
“Japanese tea?” I guessed again.
“Hu-uh” He shook his head.
“So what?” I became curious.
“Your tea” He answered.
I never knew that the tea I drink every morning is the same as what Queen Elizabeth drinks. The tea comes from the highland in Kerinci regioncalled Kayu Aro. So, even though I was born and grew up here doesn't mean I know everything about my home town.Jambi is one of the 34 provinces in Indonesia in the middle of Sumatera Island. It is not a big city. In fact, not all Indonesian know this place exists. Type on Google, You will only see one reference (Wikipedia) about my hometown and the rest are random result.
If I invite my friends to travel to my hometown, their first response is “What can I see/do in Jambi?”. I have to admit, Jambi is not much developed and as a local we are not aware of our tourism potential - Not like Bali or Jogja that seem so touristic, Jambi is far beyond that.
One foreigner in Jambi can be a big event for us locals. Many will ask them to take a picture. If you have an unfulfilled dream to become famous, Jambi can be your next destination. But deep inside my heart, I always wish that Jambi remains the same. Like other traveler that prefer unbeaten path, Jambi is one of like that. Jambi is not set to be the top destination you must visit. Its an agriculture and mining province. The main attraction is crossing the river in the middle of the city and seeing the old ruin temple.
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| Candi Muara Jambi - Icon of Jambi's Tourism |
Life here is so simple. That what makes Jambi home for me. I pray for no more shopping mall. If I want to see a big city crowd, I just have to buy a ticket a one hour flight to capital city – Jakarta – and will be soon trapped in a traffic jam. Here in Jambi, I find the beauty of being able to go anywhere in 5minutes on my motorbike, and sometimes with no helmet. It is so nice to see in many neighborhoods the people not lined up in fast food restaurant but mingling in the local coffee shop.
Food is one of many reasons I can always find my heart (and stomach!) coming back again to Jambi. Pempek, a traditional dish made from fish and tapioca is my favorite. In here, the best food is not the one you can find in restaurant, but hidden in a little wooden stall -with probably less hygiene. The price is less than one dollar but guaranteed to make you order the second bowl.
I’ve been in several places in Indonesia and also abroad. None of these beautiful places could me forget how the sunrise glowed outside in my three-level house. I never feel annoyed at the honking from car and public transportation that passed our house.
Apart from I was born and grew up here, the simplicity and “nothing to see” in my hometown don't make me less fall in love, but actually even more.
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