Of course, I was happy and honored by his visit. I knew Gola only from his fame and works. When I was at SMP[1] (end of 1980s) and SMA[2] (beginning of 1990s), there were three figures who inspired me and affected some parts of my life later: Chairil Anwar (with his biography Hari-hari Akhir Si Penyair, by Nasyah Djamin), Soe Hok Gie (with his book Catatan Harian Seorang Demonstran) and Gola Gong (his memoir of traveling Asia with bike). I was amazed with Gola’s travel literature at that time. I loved riding bike too, even it kept being a routine in the early years of my higher study. I saluted his sheer spirit in conquered his physical disability. At that time, I couldn’t imagine how with his only hand Gola rode his bike across Asian countries. Even more, he knew exactly how to write his experiences and made them as heartbreaking profound stories. It’s also unimaginable for me how he wrote his short stories and novels using the typewriter, with his left hand only. For me that was something of great awesome and gave insightful lessons to me, a man who was a big fond of spoiling my self with time and life (eventually I wasted part of my life).
 

First time I learnt to write short story, I loved to read and learnt many things from Gola’s romantic stories, especially the ones about a nature lover published on Hai magazine. That’s because of I too was an active member of pro-environment organization in my school. For me, Gola’s works offered not only entertainment to the youngster. Instead they brought up reflection on life meaning. His writing inspired me, with some fellows, to took some tens kilometers bike riding from Denpasar to Bedugul and from Denpasar to Batur Lake. Of course, until now, I am not prepared to bike across Asia; one thing Gola had done once.
 

That was how I net Gola through his works. Then, unexpectedly, I got a chance to meet him in person. In Rumah Dunia’s events of “Ode Kampung: Temu Seniman se-Kampung Nusantara” last February, I was invited. Nevertheless, with much regret I couldn’t show up there for I had some urgent business in Bali. Thus, meeting with Gola in Bali, for me, was a surprise and it would be part of my important memory and nostalgia.
 

A day before (Sunday, 5/3), we met on a discussion on developing reading room and book lover’s network, which was held by Teater Orok and students of Literature Department, Unud, at Kampus Nias 13 (name they gave to the Literary Faculty of Udayana University). We discussed about the importance of developing a network for books lovers and began establishing an ‘attractive library” –the confluence of a library with many forms of arts activities such poetry or prose recital, theatre performance, or setting music to poetry. Those all activities, certainly, aimed at uplifting the interest and enthusiasm over the library and books. Hitherto, as both word and place, the “library” was considered as place of intention for only serious people, those who working on their mini-theses, thesis, or finishing the obligated paper for their study. The idea of “attractive library” would give it a new meaning, alternative meaning to the old perspective, different possibilities to the way people look the library as it was. That was one of Gola’s missions in visiting Bali, apart from replying the invitation to speak about writing and reading room development in FLP Denpasar.
 

I myself was very much in favor with Gola’s idea to establish the network for book lovers and reading rooms. Since RBC, which located in a remote hamlet far away from bustling city life, was moving forward to uplift the reading interest, especially among the elementary school children in Cengkilung. RBC aimed those age range because they were the future of this hamlet. At least, we could introduce them world of books and arts in their early days.
 

Apart from introducing books with RBC activities, we introduced art performances to them too, through our monthly event of theatre, prose/poem recitation, and hi-quality film showing, book discussions, etc. We also conducted workshops on story and poem writing, poem music setting, and theatre for teenagers in Denpasar, as well as model and style-life drawing and painting. For school age children Cengkilung (grade three to six), we also provided free courses on Sunday: the English, tutored by Yuli and I, and drawing with Ketut Endrawan as facilitator. A young painter, he held degree from Udayana University majoring Painting in Fine Art and Design Department. The children’s determination to learning here was simply touching. Especially for learning English, their interest was outstanding. Some of them even asked to increase weekly meeting frequency, from once to twice or three times a week. Some children also started to show their interest in writing poems, story or diary. Definitely, this was an excellent provision or investment for their future, particularly their intellects.
 

Gola saw the similarity between vision and mission of Rumah Dunia and RBC’s. That’s why he managed to visit RBC, and arrived there when the drizzle dripped sweetly, and was stunned to see situation in RBC was a resemblance to his Rumah Dunia in Serang-Banten (both are in hamlet area). “But, the scenery and nature here is nicer… many paddy fields, fresh air, dense big trees. Here, the nature is carved in such a way that we could enjoy its utmost beauty,” Gola praised with gleaming face.
 

It was not Gola alone who was mesmerized by Cengkilung scenes. Some three moths before (6 December 2005), Kurnia Effendi, an author, felt like having enlighten in his visit to Cengkilung –although he lost his way here several times. At that time, Warih Wisatsana accompanied Kurnia to come to Cengkilung while the night sky had not finished maturing the full moon. Chirping of nocturnal insect, as well as the shy smile of the moon, seemed to give a fond memory for Kurnia, and I hope they could turn into beautiful story or poetry.
 

In Cengkilung, Gola told some stories for school age children who listened to him passionately. They laughed hearing the funny stories, and they obviously were happy. I was sure, they heard no more fairy tale told by their grannies, parents, or teacher. Many television programs filled their head as substitutes to the tales; lead the world of tales strange to them. I saw Gola told the tales with his happy face. I was sure that he was happy to do that and interacted with Cengkilung children.
 

Drizzled still, Gola and other friends managed to continue their trip to other places. When I accompanied them away, I felt a big hope bloomed in my heart. May there would be young other Gola came out from Cengkilung, the young people who were capable of living the life, as worth more than being alive. Yes, I hoped it so.
 

Dusun Cengkilung, 7 March 2006
 

***
 

*) a poet and short story writer, managing the Rumah Buku Cengkilung in Denpasar
*) Photo: Gola Gong in his bike riding accros Malaysia. Gong posed in front of Port Malacca (private courtesy)