Tuesday, October 11, 2011

KERAPAN SAPI

As I was taking public transportation into the city yesterday morning, an old lady sitting next to me asked me where I was going. After telling her I wanted to meet a friend, she told me that I should change my plans and just get off where she did and look at the cows instead. Considering how often I see cows…every single day…I thought, no, I’m ok. But on my way home, I saw huge crowds of people heading towards some event, so I decided to follow. I asked my sister, Alisa, what was happening and she explained that it was a “kerapan sapi” which basically means “cow races”. Yup, just like horse races, except with cows!
This is the “race track”—dirt field, bamboo fence on two sides, no start or finish, crowds of people. Basically, a well-organized event.
Usually the cows just go straight after the race, but these little guy on the right decided to take the scenic route by turning left and chasing down about a dozen spectators, including myself, through an old corn field. Finally it ran into a tent and was apprehended. Luckily no one was hurt. =)