Mendesign Teaser di Stadion Manahan

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Patung Ir. Soekarno di depan gerbang Stadion Manahan.

Jika Jakarta memilihi Gelora Bung Karno sebagai kawasan olahraga kebanggaan warga ibukota, maka Solo memiliki area olahraga kenamaan, yaitu Stadion Manahan. Dan kali ini, aku berkesempatan secara langsung untuk mensurveynya untuk keperluan acara Marketing Conference yang akan beralangsung dua bulan setelah survey ini.

Kedatanganku di Stadion Manahan dimulai dari usainya diriku menikmati santap malam di wisata kuliner GALABO (Gladag Langen Bogan), yang berada di daerah Kedung Lumbu. Setelah memastikan perut kenyang dengan seporsi Soto Kwali bersambung dengan menghangatkan tubuh dengan seporsi Wedang Ronde, aku beranjak meninggalkan GALABO yang sedang menuju puncak keramaian. Aku menikmati lagu terakhirku di tempat itu sembari menunggu kedatangan taksi online yang telah kupesan.

Entah kenapa, musik yang tadinya ngebeat, tetapi menjelang usai mengunjungi GALABO berubah menjadi melankolis. Lagu “Sewu Kutho” milik almarhum Didi Kempot itu mengiringi langkahku meninggalkan GALABO hingga iramanya menjadi senyap ketika aku memasuki taksi online.

Stadion Manahan, Pak”.

Jalan utama menuju ke sana sedang direnovasi, Mas. Ada pembangunan jalan layang. Saya boleh ambil rute lain ya, Mas. Sedikit lebih lama untuk sampai di tujuan

Baik, tidak apa-apa. Saya juga tidak sedang buru-buru. Santai saja, Pak”.

Siap, Mas”.

Aku tak memahami rute mana yang diambil oleh pengemudi setengah baya itu Aku hanya menikmati saja setiap injakan pedal gas menelusuri jalanan malam Kota Solo. Suasana kota masih tampak ramai walaupun waktu sudah lewat pukul delapan malam.

Aku tiba di tujuan lebih lama 10 menit dari waktu yang terjadwal. Aku diturunkan  di sisi selatan stadion, tepat di depan Patung Ir. Soekarno. Patung perunggu Presiden pertama RI itu terlihat duduk membaca buku. Sementara di bagian dasar patung, lampu-lampu LED memainkan perannya dalam menghasilkan gradasi warna yang memikat para pengunjung. Dan dalam siraman cahaya lampu aneka warna itu, air mancur pun bergantian meluncur memperindah area kolam oval.

Air Mancur Menari Manahan.

Tidak bisa masuk ke dalam ya, Pak”, tanyaku kepada seorang security penjaga gerbang stadion.

Maaf, Mas. Sudah tutup dari jam empat sore. Jadi kami sudah tidak bisa menerima pengunjung masuk ke dalam”.

Oh baik pak. Buka jam berapa ya pak setiap harinya?”.

Jam delapan pagi sudah buka, Mas. Jadi saya sarankan besok saja mas datang kesini lagi”.

Oh baik, Pak”.

Aku balik badan lalu mendudukkan diri di tepian Air Mancur Menari Manahan.

Kriiingggg….. Kriiingggg. Gawai pintarku berdering.

Halo Donny. Gimana Solo? OK kan?. Oh ya Donny, kamu harus publish teaser pertama Marketing Conference malam mini ya, karena hari ini tepat dua bulan sebelum waktu penyelenggaraan!”, CEO perusahaan memberiku perintah.

Baik, Ibu”.

Jadilah malam itu, aku sibuk mendesain teaser pertama Marketing Conference. Aku segera menghubungi staff Divisi Design perusahaan di Jakarta, Tommi namanya. Lalu menceritakan konsep yang kuinginkan kepadanya. Aku terus memandu detail konsep dan dia cepat sekali mengeksekusi  beberapa revisi hingga design teaser bisa selesai dalam satu jam pengerjaan. Karena kesibukan itu, praktis aku tak bisa menilik beberapa sudut lain di luar Stadion Manahan.

Setelah selesai mengirimkan informasi kepada setiap calon peserta Marketing Conference, aku segera bergegas meninggalkan Stadion Manahan. Waktu sudah semakin larut dan aku harus terus bergerak…..

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Soto Kwali dan Wedang Ronde GALABO

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Gerbang depan GALABO.

Gladag Langen Bogan atau lebih dikenal dengan sebutan GALABO adalah kompleks pasar kuliner yang diselenggarakan di Jalan Kapten Mulyadi di area Kedung Lumbu. Konsep pasar jalanan ini menjadi daya tarik tersendiri bagi pemimpin perusahaan tempatku bekerja sebagai kandidat utama untuk dikunjungi saat acara Marketing Conference nanti.

Oleh karenanya, aku perlu melihat kondisi sesungguhnya dari GALABO. Aku harus membedah perihal konten kuliner di dalamnya, konsep aktivitasnya dan tentu waktu operasionalnya. Dan untuk bisa melakukannya, tentu aku harus mensurveynya saat malam karena ini adalah pasar malam kuliner.

—-****—-

Aku meluncur bersama taksi online yang kupesan menuju barat daya, meninggalkan Taman Pelangi yang berada di area Jurug. Waktu yang tepat menuju GALABO, karena aku akan tiba disana sekitar pukul 19:00 dan berfikir dengan yakin bahwa tenda-tenda kuliner sudah didirikan di sepanjang jalan.

Aku berpindah dari Taman Pelangi melalui Jalan Ir. Juanda, lalu berlanjut ke Jalan Jend. Urip Sumoharjo, hingga akhirnya aku tiba di sebuah pelataran luas dengan deretan kios-kios di salah satu sisinya.

GALABO sebelah mana, Pak?”.

Ini GALABO, Mas. Kita sudah sampai”.

GALABO bukannya tenda-tenda kuliner di sepanjang jalan ya, Pak

Oh itu dulu, Mas. Sekarang sudah di relokasi dan dipindahkan ke sini. Ini tepat di selatan Benteng Vredeburg”.

Oh sejak kapan, Pak dipindahin?

Pertengahan 2018, Mas”.

Aku membuka pintu taksi online dengan berusaha meyembunyikan raut kekecewaan. Aku masih saja berfikir bahwa GALABO adalah kuliner jalanan. Karena kuliner jalanan akan lebih menarik antusiasme para peserta Marketing Conference nantinya.

28 kedai kuliner pilihan.
Kedai yang hanya menjual kuliner legendaris Kota Solo.
Buka dari pukul 17:00 hingga pukul 05:00

Tak apa, Donny. Kita cicipi dulu saja makanannya!”, batinku meneguhkan diri.

Taksi online dengan cepat meninggalkanku di area baru GALABO. Aku segera menyusuri sepanjang deretan kedai untuk mencari makan malam yang cocok. Kali ini makan malamku sedikit telat sehingga kuputuskan mencari hidangan yang masih panas. Aku tak ragu memesan Soto Kwali Mbok Yem. Kemudian kupadukan dengan memesan Wedang Ronde sebagai minumannya.

Aku mengambil duduk di sebuah umbrella shading-bench. Tak lama setelah aku duduk, lagu yang dibawakan oleh seorang biduan dengan iringan organ tunggal mulai mengalun. Aku baru saja menikmati suasana indah GALABO malam itu. GALABO belum ramai tetapi para pengunjung secara konsisten mulai berdatangan. Perlahan deretan umbrella shading-bench mulai penuh.

Sepuluh menit kemudian, makanan yang kupesan tiba dan mulai kusantap Soto Kwali yang masih mengepul itu dengan lahap. Biasanya kalau telat makan maka secara otomatis aku akan kehilangan nafsu makan. Tapi kali ini aroma harum Soto Kwali membuatku terlupa akan kondisi perutku yang sudah mulai masuk angin. Sementara ritme lagu yang dibawakan semakin cepat dan ngebeat.

Malam yang indah di Solo.

Di akhir waktu makan malamku, aku mulai berfiikir, membayangkan membawa peserta Marketing Conference yang berjumlah 76 orang ke GALABO untuk makan malam. Di fikiran lain, aku membandingkan jika makan malam itu diselenggarakan di De’ Tjolomadoe.

Sepertinya aku sudah memiliki kecenderungan untuk memilih destinasi yang mana. GALABO atau De’ Tjolomadoe?

Kini aku harus bergegas untuk mengunjungi destinasi lain. Destinasi yang akan dikunjungi di sore hari saat Marketing Conference, tetapi aku akan mensurveynya di malam hari.

Mari kita lanjutkan perjalanan kita ke pusat olahraga terbesar di Kota Bengawan itu.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Survey Dadakan di Taman Pelangi

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Selepas menelusuri Pasar Jongke, aku sejenak berdiri di atas sebuah jembatan penghubung dua sisi Jalan Dr. Rajiman yang terpisahkan oleh Kali Solo. Kuperhatikan lekat-lekat sungai selebar sepuluh meter itu yang airnya tampak mengering berwarna kecoklatan.

Sore hampir menyentuh pukul lima, dari salah satu sisi jembatan itu, aku menunggu kedatangan taksi online yang kupesan.

Tak lama, lima menit kemudian taksi online itu tiba. Aku bergegas menaikinya di bangku depan, bersebelahan dengan pengemudi.

GALABO ya, Mas!”, aku mengonfirmasi tujuan.

Wah, GALABO jam segini belum siap, Mas. Para pedagang masih menyiapkan makanan yang akan dijualnya”, pengemudi muda itu memberikan informasi penting.

Waduh….Mas, saya sebetulnya sedang survey tempat wisata untuk sebuah acara penting kantor saya. Mas ada rekomendasi tempat yang bisa dikunjungi buat para peserta acara itu nanti?”.

Bagaimana kalau saya antar ke Taman Pelangi?”

 “Oke lah Mas, daripada saya menunggui GALABO yang belum buka”.

Okay, kita meluncur kesana ya, Mas!”.

Tak terasa, taksi online yang kutunggangi sudah meninggalkan daerah Laweyan. Perlahan tapi pasti merangsek ke arah timur melewati Jalan Abdul Rahman Saleh, berlanjut ke Jalan Monginsidi dan sedikit berjalan kencang di ruas Jalan Kolonel Sutarto.

Setelah berjibaku di macetnya jalanan Solo maka aku tiba di Taman Pelangi pada pukul 18:41.Secara keseluruhan aku telah berpindah sejauh sepuluh kilometer dalam waktu tiga puluh menit.

Gerbang Taman Pelangi Jurug yang merupakan bagian dari Taman Satwa Taru Jurug.
Area parkir.

Taksi online berhenti di salah satu slot parkir di halaman depan yang luas. Aku segera turun dan menuju ke loket penjualan tiket masuk.

Masih buka, Mbak?”

Baru saja buka jam 17:00 tadi, Mas. Kita tutup jam 23:00”.

Berapa harga tiket masuknya, Mbak?

Dua puluh lima ribu, Mas”.

 “Oh, baik. Saya beli satu tiket ya, Mbak”.

Baik, Mas”.

Aku segera memasuki taman setelah memiliki tiket dalam genggaman. Memasuki area taman, aku langsung faham bahwa ini adalah wisata malam yang menggoda setiap pengunjungnya dengan permainan cahaya di setiap sisi dan sudut taman. Taman berusia tiga tahun ini penuh dengan cahaya.

Hanya saja aku datang terlalu awal, pukul enam sore di kota Solo belum mampu menggelapkan langit. Permainan lampu itu keindahannya belum terlihat sempurna karena langit masih saja terang benderang. Menurut penjaga loket, waktu terbaik untuk berkunjung di taman ini adalah diatas pukul delapan malam.

Tetapi itu semua tak masalah bagiku, karena aku datang ke tempat ini hanyalah untuk melakukan survey lokasi wisata untuk kandidat destinasi Marketing Conference.

Area parking.
Bersiap memasuki Taman Pelangi Jurug.

Tak sampai setengah jam berkeliling taman, aku mulai melangkah keluar meningglkan taman. Kemudian aku mulai berfikir mengambil kesimpulan. Sepertinya Taman Pelangi ini tidak akan kujadikan destinasi bagi para peserta Marketing Conference karena jenis wisata yang ditawarkan taman ini tidak cocok dengan konsep acaraku. Tapi setidaknya aku memperkaya opsi destinasi yang bisa menjadi masukan untuk panitia Marketing Conference.

Aku segera memesan taksi online kembali karena pukul tujuh malam nanti, aku harus sudah berada di GALABO. GALABO adalah wisata kuliner malam di daerah Kedung Lumbu.

Aku akan menikmati makan malam di tempat itu.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Designing a Teaser at Manahan Stadium

<—-Previous Story

Ir. Soekarno statue in Manahan Stadium gate.

If Jakarta chooses Gelora Bung Karno as proud sport area of capital city, Solo has a well-known sport area, namely Manahan Stadium. And this time, I had an opportunity to directly survey it for Marketing Conference purpose which will held in two months after this survey.

My arrival at Manahan Stadium started when I finished in enjoying dinner at GALABO (Gladag Langen Bogan), which was in Kedung Lumbu area. After making sure that my stomach was full with a portion of Soto Kwali and continued by warming my body with a portion of Wedang Ronde, I left GALABO which was heading for its peak of crowd. I enjoyed my last song at that place while waiting for an online taxi which I ordered.

For some reason, songs which had been so beat in firstly, but towards the end of my visiting in GALABO, turned melancholy. A song “Sewu Kutho” belonging to the late Didi Kempot accompanied my steps in leaving GALABO until its rhythm became silent when I entered an online taxi.

Manahan Stadium, Sir”.

The main road to get there is being renovated, Sir. There is an flyover construction project. Can I take another route, Sir. A little longer to reach the destination

It’s okay. I’m not in a rush either. Just relax, Sir“.

Ok, Sir. Thank you”.

I didn’t understand about a route which wa took by this middle-aged driver. I just enjoyed every step on gas pedal through night streets of Solo City. City atmosphere was still lively even though it was past eight in evening

I arrived at destination 10 minutes later than scheduled time. I was dropped off on south side of stadium, right in front of the Ir. Soekarno statue. This bronze statue of the first president of Republic of Indonesia was seen sitting and reading a book. Meanwhile at ase of statue, LED lights played a role in producing color gradations which captivate visitors. And in the splash of colored lights, fountains took turns to beautify an oval pool area.

Manahan Dancing Fountain

Can I go inside, Sir?”, I asked a security guard at stadium gate.

Sorry, Sir. It’s closed from four o’clock in the afternoon. So we aren’t longer able to accept incoming visitors“.

Oh Okay, Sir. What time is it open, sir in every day? ”.

It’s open on eight o’clock in the morning, Sir. So I suggest you to coming here again tomorrow”.

Oh Okay, Sir”.

I turned around and sat on the edge of Manahan Dancing Fountain.

Kriiingggg….. Kriiingggg. I got a call.

Hello Donny. How about Solo City? Is it nice?. Oh yes, Donny, you have to publish the first teaser for Marketing Conference today, because today is exactly two months before event!”, my CEO called me.

Yes, Ma’am”.

So that night, I was busy to designing Marketing Conference’s first teaser. I immediately contacted a staff of company’s Design Division in Jakarta, Tommi is his name. Then I told him about a concept which I wanted. I continued to guide him about concept detais and he was so quick to execute several revisions in teaser design until he could finish it in an hour. Because of busy agenda, I practically couldn’t see some of other corners in Manahan Stadium outside.

After I finished in sending information to each prospective Marketing Conference participant, I immediately rushed out of Manahan Stadium. Time was getting late and I have to keep moving ……

Next Story—->

GALABO’ Soto Kwali and Wedang Ronde

<—-Previous Story

GALABO front gate.

Gladag Langen Bogan or better known as GALABO was a culinary market complex which was held on Kapten Mulyadi Street in Kedung Lumbu area. This street market concept had attracted for the CEO of a company where I worked as a main candidate to be visited at Marketing Conference later.

Therefore, I needed to see GALABO real condition. I have to dissect culinary content in it, its activities concept and of course, its operational time. And to be able to do that, I have to survey it at night because this was a culinary night market.

—-****—-

I drove with an online taxi which I ordered to southwest, leaving Pelangi Park in Jurug area. Great time to went to GALABO, because I would arrive there at around 7:00 pm and I thought with confidence that culinary tents have been set up along the street.

I moved from Pelangi Park through Ir. Juanda Street, then continued to Jenderal Urip Sumoharjo Street. It took 15 minutes and a distance of 5 km until I finally arrived at a large courtyard with a row of stalls on one side.

“Where is the GALABO, Sir?”.

“This is GALABO, Sir. We have arrived”.

“As I know that GALABO is rows of culinary tents along the street, Sir”.

“Oh that first, Sir. Now it was relocated and moved here. It’s just on south of Fort Vredeburg ”.

“When is relocated, Sir?”

“On mid-2018, Sir”.

I opened the online taxi door and trying to hide my disappointment. I still thought that GALABO was street culinary. Because street culinary would be more attractive to Marketing Conference participants later.

28 selected culinary stalls
Stalls which only sell Solo’s legendary culinaries.
Open from 5pm until 5am.

It’s okay, Donny. Let’s just taste the food first! ”, I thought to myself.

The online taxi quickly left me in GALABO new area. I walked along row of stalls and looking for a suitable dinner. This time, my dinner was a little late so I decided to find a dish which was still hot. I didn’t hesitate to order Soto Kwali * 1 Mbok Yem. Then I combined it by ordering Wedang Ronde * 2 as a drink.

I took a seat on an umbrella shading-bench. Shortly after I sat down, a song sung by a singer with a single organ accompaniment began to play. I just enjoyed beautiful atmosphere of GALABO that evening. GALABO wasn’t crowded yet but visitors consistently started arriving. Slowly, rows of umbrella shading-bench started to fill up.

Ten minutes later, Dish which I ordered arrived and I started to eating a steaming Soto Kwali with gusto. Usually if I ate late, I would automatically lose my appetite. But this time, fragrant aroma of Soto Kwali made me forget my stomach condition which had started to catch a cold. Meanwhile, songs rhythhm which was delivered was faster and beater.

Beautiful night in Solo.

At the end of my dinner time, I started thinking, imagining in bringing 76 Marketing Conference participants to GALABO for dinner. On the other mind, I compared if dinner was being held at De ‘Tjolomadoe Sugar Factory Museum.

It seemed that I already had a tendency to choose which destination. GALABO or De ‘Tjolomadoe?

Now I have to hurry to visit other destination. Destination which would visit in afternoon during Marketing Conference, but I would survey it in the evening.

Let’s continued our journey to the biggest sports center in Bengawan City*3.

Notes:

Soto Kwali * 1 : a typical Solo dish cooked in kwali (clay pot). It’s a soup menu filled with pieces of beef, mostly from sengkel (top of beef leg).

Wedang Ronde * 2: is a hot drink which is made from ginger which can make our body warm after we drink it. It’s consisting of sticky rice balls, then poured with ginger sauce and sprinkled with fried peanuts with addition of plain bread and sugar palm fruit according to our taste.

Bengawan City*3: Another name for Solo  city besides Batik City. Bengawan is a Javanese vocabulary which means a big river.

Next Story—->

Suddenly Survey at Taman Pelangi

<—-Previous Story

After exploring Jongke Market, I stood for a moment on a bridge which was connecting the two sides of Dr. Rajiman Street which was separated by Solo River. I closely looked at a fifteen meter wide river, whose water seemed to dry and have brown colour.

It was almost five o’clock in the afternoon, from a bridge side, I was waiting for online taxi arrival which I ordered.

Soon, five minutes later, an online taxi arrived. I rushed into it in its front seat, next to driver.

GALABO yes, Sir!”, I confirmed my destination.

GALABO at this hour isn’t ready, Sir. All traders are still preparing their food which are going to sell”, that young driver gave me an important information.

Sir, I was actually surveying a tourist spot for an important event in my office. Sir, are there any recommendations for places which can visit by event’s participants? “.

What if I take you to Taman Pelangi (Pelangi Park)?”

Okay, Sir, rather than waiting for GALABO which hasn’t opened yet“.

Okay, we go there, Sir!”.

Not felt, the online taxi which I was riding had left Laweyan area. Slowly but surely it was advancing eastward through Abdul Rahman Saleh Street, continuing onto Monginsidi Street and running a little fast on Colonel Sutarto Street.

After struggling in traffic jams at Solo’s streets, I arrived at Taman Pelangi (Pelangi Park) on 06:41 p.m. Overall I had moved for ten kilometers in thirty minutes.

Taman Pelangi Jurug gate. People also called it Taman Satwa Taru Jurug.
Parking area.

Online taxi stopped at one of parking slots in large front yard. I immediately got down and headed to ticket counter.

Still open, Ma’am?”

Just opened at 17:00 hours, Sir. We close at 23:00 hours “.

How much is the entry ticket, Ma’am?

Twenty five thousand Rupiah (USD 1,8), Sir“.

Oh well. I buy one ticket, Ma’am”.

Okay,Sir”.

I immediately entered the park after having a ticket in hand. Entering park area, I immediately understood that this was a night tour which tempts every visitor with a light show on every side and corner of the park. This three year old park was full of light.

It was just that I arrived too early, at six o’clock in the afternoon at Solo City, not able yet to darken the sky. The beauty of this light show didn’t look perfect because the sky was still bright. According to ticket counter staff, the best time to visit this park was after eight o’çlock in evening.

But it all didn’t matter to me, because I came to this place only to survey a tourist locations for Marketing Conference destination candidates.

Parking area.
Be ready to entering Taman Pelangi Jurug.

Less than half an hour walking around the park, I started to walking out of it. Then I started thinking to make a conclusion. It looked like that I wouldn’t make Taman Pelangi as a destination for Marketing Conference participants because the type of tourism which was offered by this park didn’t match to the event concept. But at least, I enriched destination options which could be input for Marketing Conference committee.

I immediately ordered a online taxi again because at seven o’clock tonight, I should be in GALABO. GALABO was a night culinary tourism in Kedung Lumbu area.

I would enjoy dinner at that place.

Next Story—->