Dira, is a college student in one of the universities in Jogjakarta. She and some of her friends like to hang out and enjoy the atmosphere of the city on the night. That’s why she often comes to the district of Malioboro and spends her time enjoying the night in the center of the city. People have known that Malioboro street is the icon of Jogjakarta. But sometimes they don’t know that there is a street which 24 hours alive in the south of Malioboro district. When she sees closer, there are a lot of beautiful stories inside the Zero Kilometers.
“I like to come here (Zero Kilometers) and I see the uniqueness of this place.” Dira said. “I can see the community of ‘pit onthel’ and they share many things like their experiences to be the part of that community.” She added.
Nowdays, people tend to ride motorcycle or car. They don’t use bicycle as their favorite transportation. Whereas, in Zero Kilometers, especially on Saturday night, ‘Pit Onthel’ community (community of people who adore the old Javanese bicycles) get together and it shows that in modern day, they still keep and love to ride bicycle.
“My friends and I spend the time here, sitting in the bench and staying here until midnight.” She said.
The best view in the Zero Kilometers is on the night. Besides the weather is pretty good on the night, the glow of the lights also support the atmosphere becomes better than on the mid day. The Zero Kilometers is a strategic location for people who want to acquaint this city, because it is located in the center of the city. The north of the junction there is a Museum or well known with Vredeburg Fortress. On the south of the junction there is big Post Office which has existed since along time ago.
“I always bring my camera so I can take some beautiful pictures with my friends around here.” Dira said.
People who come to the Zero Kilometers sometimes want to take some beautiful pictures there. In that district, there are some unique buildings that have been built in era of colonialism like Post Office, Museum and also Bank Indonesia. Because of the location is very strategic it can represent a uniqueness of Jogjakarta. Not only people from Jogjakarta visit that place but many people from outside Jogja like to hang out and enjoy the night in the Zero Kilometers.
“If people always keep the cleanness of this place, I think we will proud having this place as the icon of jogja city.” She Added.
In Zero Kilometers there is a little garden that is decorated with some plants and flowers. It has a function to keep the beauty and the shadiness around the side walk. Moreover, it can make people feel comfortable to stay longer there. However, sometimes there are some people who are not pay attention about it. They just throw away the trash and even destroy the decoration. The people should be more care of it because the face of Zero Kilometers is also the identity of Jogjakarta.
“When I was child, I have never come here, but after some new change, now I always come here to enjoy the atmosphere and see some performances.” One of the visitors said.
Abu is one of the visitors from Jogjakarta. He confesses that in the past, for about 10 years ago, the situation in Zero Kilometers was different from present. In the past, Zero Kilometers was only a junction that didn’t have any uniqueness and not really attracted the people to stay there. However after the progression in sector of tourism in Jogjakarta, there are some new things in Zero Kilometers. In period of time, there is always a new thing that can attract people to come. For example, when Jogjakarta celebrates the patriotism day, the government put some famous Indonesian’s sculpture around the Vredeburg fortress. In other days, there is a work of art which describe a big “sego kucing” as an icon of Jogjakarta. Around the little garden also seen the big Javanese font or “aksara jawa” to attract the tourists.
“The best moment every year is The Jogja’s anniversary and I like to see the carnival here” He said. “It was a great thing when our beloved city holds a big carnival and we can enjoy it around this beautiful place.” He explained.
The Zero Kilometers can be the asset of tourism of Jogjakarta. Because we can see the many sides of the city through the historical part like the exotic buildings, the activities in each community, the amazing talent of the young people and some others interesting stories. If the government and the people together keep the magnificence of The Zero Kilometers, hopefully Zero Kilometers becomes the great place to visit.
“Zero Kilometers is the face of Jogjakarta.”
