Halimah, Shell Crafts Makers

This trip is really no plan. Driving my old bike down the street. Arrived at the gate of one of the famous tourist destinations for people pretty Surabaya. I have not been to this area. There is a new look at the gate. As I recall, the last time here a lot of building materials stacked on the right gate. Now the building that once started is finished.

A five-storey high tower building has magnificent perch. "KENPARK," one word with capital letters made of steel painted black, printed at the top of the tower. Apparently the management was Kenjeran Ria beach clean up.

As usual, I just passed Kenpark. Did not feel like stopping. Anyway I never come in here again in the afternoon after my experience at the beginning to know Surabaya. The beach was so proud so dry and boring. I think there is no viable enjoyed here. Especially in the afternoon. So if here is always chosen morning. Watching the sun is creeping up pretty good. And it should be noted, entered Kenpark in the morning with makeshift costumes ticket is not drawn. "Considered as a citizen here," said a trader es degan a while.

From the gate Kenpark, straight to the north lies the road to the fishing village and Nambangan Kenjeran. Usually, even in direct sunlight, cool the streets is laced with a motorcycle, let alone a bike. The road is straight and flat on the left right neatly arranged stalls vending a wide range of processed marine products. Smoked fish, salted fish, and dozens of types of crackers always decorate perjanan. As well as the distinctive smell of fish and dried shrimp.

Unfortunately, today the road was closed. "What's going to, sir," I asked in a man aged uniformed guards. "Something's got gawe," he said. Weleh, public roads closed to public transport access for personal gain? If you think about, the loss of not only road users, but also the merchants. A full day velocity of money stops. Oh well, I choose an alternative path through the housing complex.

There is wisdom behind the closure of the road. At that point I went through I just found a place that had never realized existed. Apparently there is public transport base large enough in this area. Because it's not visible from the path that had been through, it was the first time I know, there is public transportation terminal.

Twenty meters from public transportation terminal, a fork in the road connects with the road that had been closed. Take the left road continues ... On the front there is an actual beach. Although no white sand, when the water receded kids fishing boats like to play there.

Wait. Again the mother doing it earlier. Black sacks of gravel-sized flat Rp 100 vintage coin-hill to the pictures, you know-as well as several buckets containing the same object but it was white. To satisfy curiosity, I turned the handlebars motor, turning right path forward ...

Under the shade of a tamarind tree, the river side of the road at the same time, an old woman was busy with activity. Large sacks and a couple of buckets are around. Occasionally he shook small white objects in a bucket and throw the rest of the white liquid leaching into the river.

Apparently the black gravel is home to shellfish, as well as white. The difference is black and white unprocessed gone through several stages of processing. "Which of the bag boiled first, then use bleach soaked a few hours, after which it was given," she said while showing a bottle of mineral water containing a yellowish liquid. Turns out it was hard water. Bleach certainly adds luster to the shells. Medium hard water to remove the outer layer of the color black. After these three steps were completed, the new drying.

"No danger, ma'am, use hard water," I asked, curious. "Yes most if taxable hives, origin not hit a lot," she said while pointing his right hand that looks itchy red rash. Hard water is not to damage the skin. Within a few hours after the activity, the itching will disappear by itself.

Halimah, had 40 years to his profession as a crafter shells. Women aged 50 years, admits that his livelihood has started since I was in elementary school. Actually Halimah had tried several times to switch professions. For example, a vegetable and fish vendors in the market. But always failed. "Yes, finally returning to craft shells," she said.

Now there are eight people who become employees. All girls and neighboring homes. "To pass the time and increase revenue," said Prianti, one of the employees.

Problem earnings, "Enough for everyday needs," she said innocently. In a day when the bias was crowded to the gross proceeds of up to Rp. 200.000, - especially if there are people from out of town to buy in bulk. Once the transaction mencapan one to two million. "But usually it's rare, at least when they are wholesale again, two to three months later," said Halimah. []