Today marked my departure from Banda Aceh as I had a flight scheduled for Medan, where other parts of Sumatra awaited my exploration. In the morning, I leisurely packed my backpack, seeking permission from the hotel staff to check out around 1 pm, which they graciously granted. I pre-arranged a taxi for the afternoon to take me to the airport, and everything unfolded according to my plan.
Kuburan Massal Korban Tsunami
My flight was scheduled for around 4.30 pm, and before heading to the airport, I wished to visit one of the mass graves outside Banda Aceh. The taxi driver initially misunderstood, thinking I intended to go to the grand mosque. After clarifying my plan, he took me to the mass grave, where I spent about 20 minutes. The area was deserted, creating a peculiar yet peaceful atmosphere. With dragonflies dancing in the air, little flowers adorning the surroundings, and sunny weather, the site had a calming effect on me.
A Flight to Medan
After spending 30 minutes at the mass grave, I proceeded to the airport, arriving much earlier than necessary, around 1.30 pm. To pass the time, I opted to try bakso, an Indonesian dish recommended by two colleagues. It’s a soup with meat and noodles. While the dish was okay, I couldn’t help but feel it might have been influenced by the restaurant’s quality (resembling a fast-food Indonesian restaurant). I plan to give it another try, considering there are many more opportunities ahead.
On the airplane, I shared a seat with Tim and Esther, a German couple. Upon reaching Medan, they planned to head straight to Bukit Lawang as part of their backpacking journey in Asia. The flight, lasting an hour, spared me a grueling 15-hour bus journey. Once we retrieved our baggage, I bid farewell to Esther and Tim.
Cab Driver Frenzy
I passed through the customs door and once again experienced a celebrity moment. The only things missing were cameras, light flashes, microphones, and a red carpet. Approximately thirty taxi drivers crowded around the exit, clamoring, shouting, vying for my attention. Disregarding the initial wave, I expressed my gratitude. As I strolled through the terminal, five continued to follow me, but four soon opted to try their luck with other passengers emerging from customs.
After covering 100 meters, I engaged in a conversation with the final taxi driver. A devout Muslim man, complete with a long beard, approached me. He seemed genuine, and I attempted to negotiate with him. The standard fare was 150,000 IDR, a fixed rate. I mentioned that I was still a student and requested a discount. Eventually, he agreed to take me to the city for 110,000 IDR. I informed him that I needed to use the restroom first, and he patiently waited.
My taxi driver, Sani, conversed fluently in English. He mentioned having a younger brother residing in Eindhoven and discussed the cultural differences between our countries, emphasizing the belief that God punishes the proud. Sani, though sincere, had a penchant for discussing religious topics. The journey took longer than anticipated, given that the plane landed at the new airport, Kualanamu International Airport, operational for only six months and located 40 kilometers from Medan. Two hours later, I reached my hotel. The hotel room I stayed in had no windows, marking a unique experience for me. In the evening, I ordered a light meal and a drink, worked on a report, and set my alarm for an early wake-up. It quickly dawned on me that I wished to depart Medan as swiftly as possible; one night in this city was more than enough.
