House that’s Banjir- and Gempa-Proof

House that’s Banjir- and Gempa- Proof 

 “Raining again.” complained someone on the train. His neighbor replied: “Well, when it doesn’t  rain for a long time, people complain of the air being very hot, the land dry and barren, when it rains, wrong again as one complains about banjir (flood), being muddy, wet. 

Meanwhile the citizens of Jakarta, the press were eager to discuss the banjir disaster. No, not disaster but celebration said the children, workers, employee’s, as they unexpectedly got a holiday and some children and people had a chance to rent their umbrella, sampan (small boat), push stranded cars, and earn some money. 

 I remembered the passenger’s wise reply as though to say that we are not grateful and blame the Creator, who doesn’t take into account  our wishes, wants, schedules.

Banjir is impartial .Those who have their nests, lairs, homes destroyed, swept away, please move to a safer place. Man, who is better equipped with intelligence and means should be able to cope with flood or drought, instead of complaining, blaming, cursing them. 

And I remembered the cactus in the desert who preserves water in her stems and  leaves to survive. The penguin protects itself with  thick warm feathers in the icy  poles. “Only if man could build himself a home that’s banjir-, gempa-  proof” I said. (gempa, earth-quake) 

“It’s not impossible” said si upik. “Build a RUPUNG (RUmah aPUNG or a floating house).”  

“How so?” I asked. 

“Building a floating Dream House in the air. Ha, ha, ha.” 

                                                                                           From Sinar Pagi, March 12, 1996

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