3Women Run 3Very Different 'Warung'

22 | Features TUESDAY August 26, 2014 ‘Bu’ Bariah: She has carved out a loyal following of people who love her food. Some have been loyal patrons for decades End of the line: A disused stretch of track between Bedono and Ambarawa, Central Java. JP/Tarko Sudiarno JP/Tarko ALL ABOARD Historic Ambarawa train station to reopen by year’s end IN YOGYAKARTA Nadya Natahadibrata the budget for land acquisition. THE JAKARTA POST/JAKARTA However, Makmur said that 110 visiting for decades. They say she families living in Kedungjati dis- remembers their names, what they he Ambarawa Railway Muse- trict and 127 families in Tuntang like to eat and the details of their um in Central Java is the site district have agreed to relocate WOMEN RUN VERY lives. Tof one of the fi rst train sta- from the area. 3 3 Meanwhile, Ida, a petite and nat- tions in the archipelago built by the “We are currently in a negotia- tily dressed 53-year-old, has oper- Dutch some 140 years ago. tion process with 88 families living ated a small warung named “Pecel After almost four decades of life in Beringin district, which is locat- Madiun Bu Ida” near Kridosono sta- as a museum — complete with a ed between Kedungjati and Tun- DIFFERENT ‘WARUNG’ dium in Kota Baru for 10 years. vintage engine that chugs along a tang. Another 126 families living Ida stresses using fresh ingre- preserved section of track — the near Ambarawa are also still com- Willow Paule to store leftovers in the future.” and greens, spicy green chilies, pota- dients, and her peanut sauce has a historic location, which lies about promising with us to move from the CONTRIBUTOR/YOGYAKARTA Bariah, who has been working on toes and jackfruit. tangy, sweet, spicy fl avor. Pecel Ma- 40 kilometers south of Semarang, area,” he said. Jl. Manguyudan for 24 years, is an Local artist Mawardi, age 31, says diun uses roasted peanuts instead of Central Java, is set to be reopened According to Makmur, reopen- ariah, an earthy 57-year- independent and smart entrepre- he frequents the angrinkan because fried. as a train station by the end of 2013. ing the station is aimed at boosting old woman, is the owner of neur who has counted on her own of “good food, reasonable prices Although comfortably middle- “We are currently in the process economic activity in the area, as Angkringa n Bu Atik on Jl. resourcefulness and resilience to for large portions, varied vegetable class — Ida has a degree in chemistry of land acquisition to reactivate the well as easing traffi c congestion. Manguyudan, near Jl. Pa- forge a better life for herself and her dishes and the sayur lodeh.” and a background in mining and wa- railway. Hopefully by the end of the “The reactivation of the track Brangtritis, in Yogyakarta. family. Despite long days and hard work, ter consultation — she says she en- year, the train station will begin to will stimulate the tourism potential Most ankringan, which (literally) Space is cramped at the angkrin- Bariah says she enjoys her work and joys the variety her warung affords. operate again,” Makmur Syaheran, in the area, which will inevitably offer sidewalk dining, offer only ba- gan: a table and benches are set has never been bored. The secret to Ida wants to “give back to the the spokesman for state owned support the province’s hospitality sic fare. to the immediate right of the cart. keeping loyal customers is attitude. community” through her warung, train operator PT Kereta Api Indo- and culinary industry, in addition to However, Bu Bariah cooks six However, Bu Bariah’s customers are “I’m friendly, so people keep com- and she empowers others by em- nesia (KAI), told The Jakarta Post improving our service in providing Javanese dishes a night, which she considerate, making room for any- ing,” Bariah says. “I like speaking ploying two women and a man “who over the weekend. public transportation,” he said. transports to the angkringan on her one who comes along. with my customers, and I don’t for- work for what they earn.” Ambarawa, previously named Transportation Ministry’s di- bicycle in a motley collection of re- Some have been loyal patrons get to smile.” She is also interested in health the Willem I Train Station, was rector general for railway affairs cycled water bottles and coolers. for decades, including taxi drivers Nearby at Godomanan Intersec- and fi tness — a passion she pursues opened in 1873 to connect Sema- Hermanto Dwiatmoko previously There are challenges to life as awaiting calls, students who live in tion, another woman, Yogyakarta- in her work and free time. Ida said rang, the nation’s fi rst rail hub, with said that the ministry had allocated a small businesswoman in Yogya- the neighborhood and becak rick- born Mecrina, 49, has been serving that she liked to use her chemistry a Dutch military base, Willem I Rp 200 billion (US$17.6 million) karta, according to Bariah, who was shaw drivers, looking for an inex- nasi sayur for 17 years. background to create custom juices Fort, located nearby. to reactivate several defunct rail- born in the city. “I have debt, that’s pensive, fi lling meal. Before starting the business, for herself and friends. When the station closed in 1976 way stations to increase passenger the hard part,” she says. “Street sell- She offers a delicious sayur lodeh: Mecrina owned a large catering “When I was in college, I also and became a museum, people numbers and supplies transported ers have a hard time paying off debts. creamy coconut milk, the sweet- company. However, when an em- took a food production technology started to built ersatz homes along by train. But my dream is to buy a refrigerator and-sour taste of red melinjo berries ployee made off with Rp 700 million class, because my hobby was going the railway tracks that run from Ke- These would include the 45-ki- (US$59,747) in monthly payments to the gym to keep myself healthy,” dungjati to Tuntang in Central Java. lometer track from Cianjur to from seven large factory contracts, Ida says. “Then I started making “We are now cooperating with Padalarang (West Java), the 33-km she lost her business. the juice. At fi rst. the juice was just the Transportation Ministry to re- line from Surakarta to Wonogiri Mecrina sold all her belongings for me but then friends told me it vive the 36.7-kilometer track from (Central Java) and the 9-km line and dismissed her nine helpers with was tasty. And so I studied more Kedungjati to Tuntang. The min- from Jakarta Kota to Tanjung Priok double pay. about how to make a healthy juice istry is in charge in repairing the (Jakarta). After several months — and with [….] I tried to fi nd out how people railway, while KAI is paying for the According to data from the min- an unemployed husband — Mec- could drink juice, but in a healthy compensation for the residents,” istry, there is around 2,000 km of rina said that she had to get back to way.” Makmur said, declining to reveal idle railtrack across the country. work. “I felt forced to start again, “I studied the properties of differ- even though it was from zero. But ent vitamins in fruit. For example, I was grateful because to the left apples: exactly what vitamins are and right of me I had family sup- in that fruit? And then I researched port. My husband supports me 100 blood type A, for example. Are the percent.” intestines of people with that blood The warung (small street-side type wet or acidic?” restaurant) is housed in a tiny green In 2012, she added tailored juices building that seats seven. A station- to the menu. “My friends convinced ary cart in front holds the 35 dishes me to sell them at the warung.” she makes daily. When a customer comes in, she “Although I wanted to go to col- asks their blood type and makes a lege, we couldn’t afford it,” Mecrina juice based on that information. For says. “But saving money, helping my those with type-A blood, she mixes nephews and nieces, owning a mo- starfruit and tomato. torcycle and buying land are all ways She says not every juice is suitable I defi ne success in my life.” for every person, based on her expe- She is happy with the dynamic rience and asking customers to trust she has developed with her two em- her to make the right mix. ployees. “My workers and I comple- Although in time, women may be ment each other’s strengths and more equally accepted and treated weaknesses.” Mecrina even pays in the workplace, these three wom- school fees for one worker’s child. en aren’t waiting: They’re empower- Long term: Yogyakarta-born “But once her kid is out of elemen- ing themselves and their employees Mecrina, 49, has been serving tary school, she’s on her own,” Mec- now, creating change with each dish nasi sayur for 17 years. rina says, laughing. they serve. JP/Suherdjoko As in the case of Bariah, some of Locomotion: Tourists and hawkers do business on the steam-powered Mecrina’s customers have also been — Photos By Willow Paule train at the Ambarawa Railway Museum. Guess what? Ariel dyes hair forr a Tika builds up musclescle JakartaJakart son to becomeme mood change for boxing PowerPowe Ranger JAKARTA: Nazril “Ariel” Irham, vocalistocalist aandnd JAKARTA: After playing Fatmawatiati — JAKARTA:JAKARTA: Yoshi Sudarso says that he’s’s livingliving frontman of pop-rock band NOAH,H, sayssays hhisis dream:dream The Hollywood stuntman ooff InIn-- founding father Sukarno’s wife, actressactress that he has dyed his hair silvery ggrey.rey.

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