I am still in Yogyakarta Indonesia. I book a food tour after my long day of temples. I head down early to meet my tour leader as I tend to do. Being early I decide to get a soda at a Circle K nearby to the meeting spot while I wait. It is raining hard and it will probably make the tour not so much fun. The tour guide contacts me on WhatsApp and asks if I would like to cancel for the evening and try for the next day. I am the only one scheduled tonight so I decide it is probably better to try again tomorrow.
I contemplate getting dinner somewhere nearby. Because of the rain I sit at a table outside the circle K under the overhang while searching for a place. All of a sudden I hear a boom and a spark. The store goes dark and people are stirring on the block. Around the corner and less than 10 feet from my body an electrical fire has sparked.
I step out onto the sidewalk and away from the building. Yes indeed. The transformer is on fire.
While we are watching the fire a spark appears at the power line above and power to the block goes out.
We watch the fire while we wait for the fire truck to arrive.
I think somehow I must have caused this fire so I walk away. I find a taxi driver around the corner to get me back toward my hostel because it is raining.
Taxi driver does not understand me and drops me off 3 miles from my hotel insisting it is the correct location. He refuses to take me further and it is still raining. I notice a bunch of rickshaws bikes (I find out later the actual name is Becak – Yogyakarta traditional trishaw) with plastic coverings. This will be my ride back to my hostel.
It is a fun ride and I safely make it back to my hotel (dry). I find a place to get a quick dinner nearby and then I’m done for the night.
Exploring Yogyakarta
The next day I do some exploring around town. Because the main town areas are only a couple miles from my hostel and it is a nice sunny (hot) day I decide to get out the map and walk.
My route takes me down a bunch of residential alleys, some with some fun art.
I cross underneath an opening into the walled area that holds the palace and other landmarks. The palace seems to be closed for a special event but I explore other areas inside.
This park and this tree become a lively area at night. During the day it is hot so you only see a few brave playing sports in the park.
Inside the walled area there are colorful walking paths.
I see this car and think it is adorable. I realize later that night what it is for. My next post will include pictures of that.
These pot hole covers are very clever.
Taman Sari Water Castle
Part of the Sultan Palace, Tamansari was a royal bathing location and retreat built in the 1600s. Not being very large it takes me no time at all to explore the grounds.
At short walk later past some cute cafes and more wall art I come to the next big sight in town.
I find signs for the Situs Sumar Gumuling, an underground mosque and well, but it takes me a while to find the actual entrance.
I end up going into some tunnels.
Eventually I reach the very popular mosque with its odd stairs. It is a very popular place for photography.
There is a round like structure around the stairs. It is cooler there and I try hanging out in this area to wait for the crowds to die down but they never do.
As I walk out a band is playing. The drummer is using the bench drum like I saw previously in Bali.
After I head outside there are more men who want to take photos with me and more student groups who want to practice English with me. I talk to a couple student groups and then head back to my hostel to rest up for my nighttime food tour.
I am excited about seeing Yogyakarta at night!
Growing With Leala 
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