Aksara For Arsyilla
Day 2 Field Trip - Solo

Solo City or Surakarta is often referred to as the City of Culture. This is all because the city has a strong Javanese culture, delicious food, and also the hospitality and politeness of Solo residents that make people always long to return to this city.

This time, the group of students and lecturers headed to the Kasunanan Surakarta Palace. A Keraton that became a cultural heritage in the city of Solo. Unlike in Jogjakarta, if in Jogjakarta the palace is also a place for the king to rule his people. In Surakarta itself, the palace is more functioned as a cultural reserve, the king who reigned as a symbol of the successor lineage of the Surakarta Hadininingrat Kasunanan only.

“All groups are ready? You can see the architecture, design, or layout in this palace. Then compare with the Palace in Jogjakarta,” explained Arsyilla.

The Surakarta Palace itself is a palace built by Sri Sultan Pakubowono II in 1744, as a replacement for the ravaged Kartasura Palace after Geger Chinatown in 1743. In his day, the Surakarta Palace building was an exotic building, it was architectured by Prince Mangkubumi (later titled Sri Sultan Hamengkubowono I) by carrying the concept of Joglo (a typical house of Central Java) and combined with balairungs, pavilions, and spacious courts.

The palace complex is surrounded by Baluwarti a defensive wall with a height of about three to five meters, and a thickness of about one meter without a bridge. The architectural style of Surakarta Palace is similar to Jogjakarta because it is architectured by the same person, KGPH. Mangkubumi who after the Giyanti Agreement with the dissolution of the Islamic Mataram Kingdom, then he was appointed as Sri Sultan Hamengkubowono I.

“The shape of the building is the same as the one in Jogjakarta yesterday Yes Bu Arsyilla?” tanya Mona, one of the students of Architectural Engineering.

“Iya, indeed. However, there are some pretty noticeable differences from the design and architecture,” replied Arsyilla.

“The difference is where is Bu Arsyilla?” this time it was Ryan's turn to ask.

It seems that the students have not found where the difference between the two buildings which are equally called Keraton that they visited yesterday and today. Arsyilla then asked a follow-up question.

“There are people who know the difference between these two buildings?” tanyakanya.

All the students were silent, then Arsyilla looked at the students' faces one by one. Feeling that no one answered, Arsyilla is worth giving a gift for students who can answer it.

“Yang can answer, after this I have agreed to eat the Strait of Solo,” continued Arsyilla.

Apparently there was one hand raised, Arsyilla also saw whose hand was raised.

“Well, that's a raised hand. Please move forward, who is it?” tanyakanya.

The students turned to the still-raised hand and it was none other than, it was Aksara.

“Bang Aksara, Bu .. wah, if it's right to eat Bu Arsyilla nih,” chirped some students.

Arsyilla was relaxed and as calm as possible, even though she was actually groggy right now. Why else would the student and her husband raise his hand. Though he has 50 students, why is it always Aksara who answers his questions.

Slowly the man came forward, some snickering on the side of Arsyilla who was now standing, and began to answer questions from his lecturer.

“The difference is the architectural style of this building is carrying a blend of Java and Europe. For the Javanese building model with Joglo as Kedhaton and Balairung-Balairung, while the Dutch touch is located in the color of this palace building which has Blue and White. In the past, Blue and White were the colors of the great kingdoms of Europe. In addition, the placement of European-style statues in the courtyard of Kedhaton blends with a large glass-windowed pavilion, reminiscent of the classic concept of empire in Europe,” Aksara replied.

Hearing the reply from Aksara, the students applauded. Not expecting students who leave several semesters in fact can answer and explain the architectural design of the historic building in the city of Solo.

“Ya, the answer from Aksara is correct well. The explanation is also detailed, meaning after this you follow me well .. I will treat the Strait of Solo,” replied Arsyilla.

The students laughed, the answer from Aksara turned out to make the student can eat together with the Lecturer and his wife.

***

After, the tour de Keraton is finished. Arsyilla now went to Aksara, inviting the students to eat together. In accordance with his promise that students who can answer will get a tract from him. Because now in Solo City, Arsyilla intends to treat the Strait of Solo for students who can answer the question earlier.

“Wah, yummy Bang Aksara .. eat Straits Solo with Bu Dosen,” Ryan said.

“Hmm, yes,” reply Aksara ala rate only.

Of course, even though his heart was very happy to be able to eat with the Lecturer, but the two of them should not be seen striking in front of the students. For that, Aksara remained calm.

“Let's just rest Ryan, there are other lecturers who can handle well. I run errands first,” said Arsyilla to Ryan.

The restaurant of the Mbak Lies Strait, has become a jujugan for tourists and become a recommended place to eat the delicious Solo Strait in the city. The restaurant, which is synonymous with various ceramic collections, is a legendary dining place in the city of Bengawan.

“What message do you want?” ask Arsyilla.

“What authentic menu?” ask Aksara.

“Yang authentic clear Solo Strait. You can choose Fresh Strait or Galantin Strait,” replied Arsyilla.

The man observes several menus, then chooses to order his food and drinks. “Uhm, I Straits Fresh typical of Solo just drink Ice Tape,” the message.

While Arsyilla chose to order the same menu with Asem Sugar Ice. So that late afternoon, the two ate together while looking at the various ceramic collections owned by the owner of the restaurant.

“Definitely happy to get the reward huh Kak?” arsyilla asked suddenly.

“Definitely happy, when else can while eating with you in an authentic place like gini,” reply.

“The food vloggers on here Kak loh, that they wrote a message on the ceramic plates,” pointed Arsyilla on some ceramic plates arranged on the wall.

Aksara then observed several collections of ceramics and writing on each plate, it is true that many celebrities who have stopped at the restaurant.

“Iya, many celebrities who have been here,” reply Aksara.

The waiter began serving the menu they ordered at the table, and both enjoyed the Solo Strait which is an acculturation dish between Java and Europe. Yes, Solo Strait itself comes from the word ‘Salad’ typical European food in the form of cooked meat. To combine with the tongue of the archipelago, it is combined with some vegetables and spices typical of the archipelago. Since then, the famous Strait of Solo is known as one of the typical delicious food of the archipelago.

“Enak ya Kak,” said Arsyilla when feeding the food to Aksara.

The man scrunched his forehead because it was rare enough that Arsyilla would feed him. Nevertheless, Aksara opened his mouth and received the first bribe from his wife. Aksara chewed it slowly, taste sweet and combined with various spices in the food menu with the Solo Strait.

“Hmm, yes ... tasty,” Suhut Aksara.

Arsyilla smiled, “Spent Brother, plus more can. I bought it,” reply.

“I will be the treat, Darling .. not good guys kok treated girls,” sahutnya quickly.

“That's okay, sister, I told you I wanted to buy,” said Arsyilla again.

Aksara then looked at his wife's face, “I can ask for another reward?” tanyakanya.

“Hmm, what?” ask Arsyilla.

“Request ration,” sahut Aksara.

Hearing the frontal request from her husband, Arsyilla almost choked. So quickly Arsyilla drank her Asem Sugar Ice first.

“If found out?” whispered Arsyilla with a soft look.

Aksara shook her head slowly, “Not going. Take it easy,” says. “In my room or in your room?” ask the man again.

“On your place alone,” reply Arsyilla.

The smile on Aksara's face around expands. The man again ate his Solo Strait while smilingly glancing at his wife's reddened face. Just talking just like that, Arsyilla's face was already fluttering. It felt Aksara was so happy to see the face of his wife who was shy like that, it was even more adorable in his eyes.