messy wanderings in yogyakarta

woke up to a sticky air that feels like a warm towel draped over my shoulders, i just checked and it's...that thick humidity hanging low, hope you like that kind of thing. the streets outside are already humming with the clatter of motorbikes and the occasional stray cat weaving through puddles. i’m still in my hostel room, scrolling through a half‑finished sketchbook, when a neighbor from the next floor shouts about a hidden mural down by the river that pops off at sunset. someone told me that the spot is actually a secret spot that only the locals know, and that a couple of graffiti crews tag it every few weeks. i grabbed my battered camera and headed out, the map iframe embed below shows exactly where i’m wandering:

the first block of concrete towers looks like a graffiti‑covered fortress, and the smell of fried tempeh wafts from a nearby warung. i snap a few shots, trying not to get splashed by the occasional rain that seems to linger just long enough to make everything glisten.

somewhere along the way i overheard a drunk tourist muttering that the night market on jalan alun‑alun is a must‑try, but also that the vendors will try to overcharge you if you look like a tourist. i laughed, because i’ve learned to bargain with a smile and a sori, just browsing. later, a local artist whispered that the alley behind the old cinema is covered in layered tags that change daily, and that if you catch it at the right light you’ll see a hidden portrait of a rooster that only appears at noon. i’m not sure if that’s true, but it felt like the kind of gossip that makes the city feel alive. if you get restless, the nearby villages are just a short drive away, and they each have their own vibe-some are all about surf, others about colonial cafés. i popped into a tiny coffee shop that claims to roast beans from a farm in java’s highlands; the barista, a former musician, served a brew that tasted like burnt caramel and told me that the place is a favorite among freelance designers who need a quiet corner to sketch. the reviews online are mostly hype, but the real deal is the mural on the back wall that reads stay weird in hand‑painted letters. i’m still wandering, my boots splashing through puddles, listening to the distant rumble of a train that never seems to stop. the weather is unpredictable, but that’s part of the charm. i think i’ll stay a bit longer, maybe catch the sunset at the rooftop bar that overlooks the whole cityscape, where the neon lights flicker like fireflies. someone told me that the view is worth the awkward small talk with strangers, and i’m starting to believe it. for those who want to dig deeper, here are a few links that might help: TripAdvisor - Yogyakarta Art Night Market Yelp - Local Street Food Spots Local Board - Street Art Map now i’m heading back to the hostel, wet shoes and all, wondering whether i’ll ever get used to this chaotic rhythm. maybe i’ll write a poem about it later, or maybe i’ll just keep painting until the sunrise paints the sky in colors i can’t even name.