When I arrived at Solo Balapan Station, I had to wait for my two friends, Rezza and Wawa. The platform was packed with people, making it difficult for them to come out.
It was around five in the evening, a busy time for the station. Solo Balapan is a major train station in the city "Bengawan."
Interestingly, this station used to be a horse racing venue before it was built on February 10, 1870. Over time, it has transformed into a modern and well-connected hub, providing convenience to travelers.
It has become a vital station, connecting people for various purposes. With 53 long-distance trains, 24 Commuter Lines, 8 International Adi Soemarmo Airport trains, and 12 freight trains, the station operates throughout the day, especially during peak hours.
Many individuals reside in Surakarta but work in Yogyakarta, or vice versa, requiring them to commute between the two cities. Others, like myself, visit Surakarta for leisure or simply to meet up with old friends.
I embarked on this journey, arriving here via the Commuter Line from Maguwo Station in Yogyakarta.
Rezza and Wawa arrived, and the sound of the call to prayer echoed from the station's mosque, signaling that it was time for the evening prayer, Maghrib.
We made our way toward the mosque, known as Masjid An Nuur.
Masjid An Nuur, with its Middle Eastern style, stood proudly with a building area of 735 square meters. This two-story mosque could accommodate 600 worshippers, making it a central hub for religious activities not only for the local community but also for train passengers.
After completing the Maghrib prayer, I checked my phone for any notifications. I received a message on WhatsApp from Indah, whom I fondly called Ziba.
If I ain’t mistaken, Ziba is a Persian name meaning "beautiful."
"Hey, Maheng, where are you?"
"I'm at the Station Mosque," I replied.
Ziba and Aris were already waiting for us. I first met Aris on Monday, May 30, 2022.
He was our driver as we explored the city of Surakarta, visiting places like Galeri Abhipraya and the majestic Cetho Temple, perched at an altitude of 1496 meters above sea level in Gumeng, Jenawi District, Karanganyar Regency.
After that memorable encounter, I didn't have the chance to meet Aris again, as he left to work in Europe.
On the other hand, Ziba and I met several times, and we even went on a trip to Pantai Ngerumput at the foot of Bukit Kosakora.
This time, we didn't choose the beach as our destination for the meet-up. We headed to Cafe Tenda Daun based on the recommendation of my friend Napoleon, whom I met at Cafe Kokambar recently. We've never been to this cafe before.
Unlike typical hangout spots located by the roadside or in refreshing countryside areas, Cafe Tenda Daun is different.
This Instagrammable hangout place is situated in a densely populated residential area, which can confuse visitors, including Aris, who lives in Surakarta, about the location.
So we had to rely on Google Maps for directions.
After arriving at the exact location on Jalan Kahuripan Timur 3 No. 19, Sumber, Kec. Banjarsari, Surakarta City, all our efforts paid off as we were greeted by the hanging roots of the Curtain Ivy, known as Akar Seribu in Indonesia, dangling from the cafe's ceiling.
The cafe's design is perfect for selfie enthusiasts or photography enthusiasts.
The ornaments and furniture in this establishment are mostly made from recycled items. Wooden window frames attached to the walls add a vintage touch.
Moreover, the decorative plants placed in drink bottles on small shelves enhance the beauty of the cafe.
This aesthetically pleasing cafe is not located on the roadside because it was originally not designed as a cafe.
According to several sources, it was initially used as a creative kitchen space to create beverage menus. Later on, it was transformed into a cafe that offers both food and drinks.
Despite being located in a residential area, this cafe is surprisingly peaceful, making it suitable for reading books and similar activities. The seating areas for visitors are designed beneath lush trees, providing a serene ambiance.
During the evening, the lights hanging from the trees create a romantic atmosphere. It is perfect for enjoying dinner together with your loved ones.
Tenda Daun was established on May 15, 2018. With its natural "green" concept of utilizing trees and the backyard of a house, recycling unused items, and combining them with self-created or homemade food and drinks, Tenda Daun aims to offer something different from other cafes in the entire Solo Raya area.
Rather than a luxurious or prestigious concept and high-priced menu, Tenda Daun presents a down-to-earth and affordable concept while ensuring the quality taste of the available food and drinks.
There are several signature menus available at Tenda Daun.
This cafe serves a variety of traditional and modern dishes. From cilok, cireng, rice bowls, and stuffed chicken wings to trendy instant noodles.
Apart from that, this cafe also offers Cuban drinks, namely Mojito non-alcoholic versions with various flavors.
As for the food menu, there is a signature menu of stuffed chicken wings with various variants, rice bowls filled with chicken or mushrooms, noodles, and the staple food for Indonesians in general, the rice menu.
And you do haven't to worry about the prices. Each menu item is priced between Rp4,000 to Rp35,000.
Our meeting tonight was peaceful and joyful. We had the pleasure of meeting a new acquaintance, Grace.
Rezza was also a new acquaintance, having recently hung out at the delightful Angkringan Enaknan in Yogyakarta. I was thrilled to encounter people from diverse backgrounds.
Such as, Aris was fluent in German, while Ziba happened to be an English teacher. It was fascinating to interact with individuals with different linguistic abilities and expertise.
However, Grace is no ordinary person. She has a famous name in Surakarta, almost like a celebrity. To respect her privacy, I deliberately refrain from mentioning her identity here, as her photo is blurred.
After getting to know Grace and chatting with Rezza, occasional bursts of laughter (old jokes) came out of Ziba's mouth, while Dwana nodded along.
Aris, our loyal driver, appeared visibly tired after a long day of work and then was accompanying us. Thanks for that.
Finally, we concluded this meet-up by taking a few photos in various corners of Tenda Daun [mhg].