Bandung, Indonesia: Humidity, Street Art, and a Seriously Weird Durian Experience
okay, so. bandung. i’m still peeling the humidity off my skin, honestly. it’s like walking through a warm, damp towel all day. i just checked and it’s clinging to everything, a persistent sheen. hope you like that kind of thing. i’m a touring drummer, you know? Used to playing sweaty clubs in Berlin, but this… this is a different level of damp.
I was here scouting for a potential gig - some festival wants a “global groove” vibe, apparently. Which, fine. But finding a decent practice space that isn’t actively growing moss is proving… challenging. I’m staying in a little guesthouse near *Jalan Braga. It’s… lively. Let’s just say.
I spent a good chunk of yesterday just wandering. The street art scene is wild. Seriously, some incredible stuff popping up everywhere. Not just murals, either - installations, sculptures made from recycled materials… it’s a proper creative hub. I even saw a guy spray-painting a portrait of Soekarno onto a shipping container. Pretty epic. I’m thinking of trying to collaborate with some local artists, maybe incorporate some visual elements into the festival set.
Someone told me that the best way to experience Bandung is to just get lost in Pasar Baru. Apparently, it’s a labyrinth of stalls selling everything imaginable. I tried. I really tried. Ended up buying a hat I don’t need and almost getting trampled by a woman carrying a mountain of mangoes. It’s chaotic, but in a good way. Like, a “you’re fully immersed in Indonesian life” kind of way. Check out some reviews on TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g297714-Activities-Bandung_West_Java.html
And the food. Oh, the food. I had this nasi goreng from a street vendor that was… transcendent. Seriously, I’m still dreaming about it. But then there was the durian. Oh god, the durian. I was warned. I really was warned. A local, a guy selling batik shirts, gave me this look of genuine pity and said, “You’re a brave man to try that.” He wasn’t wrong. It tasted like gym socks and sadness. I think I’m scarred for life. Yelp has some interesting takes on the local cuisine: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Indonesian+food&find_loc=Bandung,+West+Java,+Indonesia
I overheard some gossip at a coffee shop (seriously, the coffee scene here is surprisingly good - check out Kopi Anjis, apparently it’s a local favorite). Apparently, there’s a hidden speakeasy somewhere in Citarum. Nobody would tell me where, though. Just cryptic smiles and knowing glances. I’m going to dedicate tomorrow to finding it.
“Don’t trust anyone who offers you durian after midnight. It’s a trap.”
If you get bored, Jakarta and Surabaya* are just a short drive away. I might take a day trip to Bogor - heard they have some amazing botanical gardens. I’m also looking into some drum workshops - maybe I can teach a few local kids a thing or two. I found a forum with some local music listings: https://www.expat.or.id/forum/music/13833-bandung-music-scene.html
Honestly, Bandung is… a lot. It’s overwhelming, it’s chaotic, it’s humid enough to grow a rainforest in your hair. But it’s also vibrant, creative, and full of life. I’m not sure if I’ll end up playing that festival, but I’m glad I came. Just… maybe skip the durian.
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