From Horse and Cart to Taxi: Malioboro in Two Frames

taken from: www.kaskus.co.id

taken from: citizenimages.kompas.com

            From the past to the present Malioboro is still a famous icon of Yogyakarta. For instance, the natives and the native sellers are kind and polite when they offer their merchants. Even, most of visitors or tourists seem to have to visit Malioboro when they go to Yogyakarta. Although Malioboro is very hot and crowded, people still enjoy this situation. Yet, you have to walk at the narrow street which is full of motorcycles on the east side. While on the west there is enough space for pedestrians to walk and for finding traditional transportations like pedicab and horse kart. Meanwhile, they have to be careful when they want to cross from the east to the west and vice versa, otherwise car, bus, taxi, or other vehicles would kill you. This might happen to you as Malioboro Street is really crowded. However, this situation very contrasts with what happen to Malioboro in the past.

           From the grayscale picture above, we can conclude that in 1920’s Malioboro has become the center of activities in Yogyakarta. People fluttered this place on the left and right side of the street. Moreover, the street was spacy enough for the pedestrians passing the street. At that time the street was divided into two ways or two directions because the vehicles were not as many as today. Furthermore, the public transportations in 1920s were still traditional e.g. pedicab and horse carts which were eco-friendly. However, today we have to share our street for modern public transportations e.g. buses, taxi, ojek, a motorcycle with a driver who you pay to take you somewhere, etc that caused pollution though there is few traditional transportation that exist.

            The other different view of Malioboro in 1920 was the parking area that was as not full as now. At that time bicycle more dominated than motorcycle while today that situation is inverted. We could hardly find motorcycle at that time but bicycle. Moreover, both two sides of the street were full of pedestrians but now it was full of parking lot. Yet, the one that is beautiful is that we can see the peacefulness between the solidity. In 1920s we did not have to pay the parker but now we must do it by paying Rp 1.000,-/ motorbike and Rp 2.000 – 3.000,-/ car. Not only the parking area that made Malioboro different but also the seller or street vendor that fluid Malioboro. They display their merchants in front of the malls the shops. They offer the souvenirs truly from Yogyakarta e.g. bags, handicrafts, T-shirt, sandals, accessories, etc. Although those vendors offer their merchant and seem to flutter the way, this situation make Malioboro different from the others famous place in Yogyakarta. 

            Therefore, although Malioboro is much contrasted with Malioboro in 1920s, still Malioboro becomes one of the interesting places to visit in Yogyakarta. Malioboro can attract the tourists by its uniqueness despites of its inconvenience like the crowded situation. Moreover, Malioboro might be different again in the next ten or twenty years later without being left by the tourists since Malioboro provides the kind natives, unique culture, and peaceful situation.