BDG Mooi!

A young graffiti artist (graffitist?) at work at BDG Mooi! Old Bandung Festival held in Kota Baru Parahiyangan in Padalarang, West Bandung, yesterday and today (April 28 - 29, 2012).

The graffiti contest was one of the events that make up the festival that was held to showcase the charm of the old Bandung. Other events include music performances, carnivals, food bazaar, and exhibitions by different 'Old Time Communities' (Komunitas Djadoel) -- communities of collectors of  vintage and not-so-vintage items from cars to radios and cameras to memorabilia from the old days.

Here are some of the things I saw at the exhibition:

Old typewriter, old movie camera, some old brass musical instruments, a gramophone, an original copy (I don't know what it means) of Stradivarius violin, etc.

I'll show you some more pictures in the next few days.

Give Way, Please!

Passengers trying to get off the commuter train meet -- and are blocked by -- those who are trying to get on it. Queuing and giving ways are manners that many of us are yet to learn. Unfortunately, only very little deliberate efforts have ever been made to do so. The situation is much worse with the commuter trains because the number of passengers far outnumber the available cars and trips. Out of panic, most passengers would rush to the platform as soon as the train is approaching and try to get on it before those inside can get off. It's a dangerous stampede-like experience especially for children, women, old people, and people with disabilities.

Public and mass transportation transportation system is long overdue homework for the city's government. There is virtually no working, well-coordinated, safe and convenient system of public and mass transportation system in this city.

Empty Pond

I don't know why the shallow pond in the northern garden of Villa Isola (Bumi Siliwangi) is kept empty most of the time. My guess is that it's leaking or the pump and the circulation system are not working properly so that the water cannot stay long or, if it does, it would soon turn green with algae.