From Banker to Sate Vendor: Indonesian Man Conquers Zurich

The Most Prestigious Newspaper in Switzerland Gave a Satay Vendor a Full Page

Rio Vamory, Indonesian
Satay vendor 

A former banker from Padang Panjang left his Zurich finance job to sell satay on the street. NZZ gave him a full page. The story of courage and smoke.

A man from Padang Panjang, Indonesia, left his career as a banker to chase his dream: selling satay on a street corner in Zurich. 

In the city center of Zurich, the capital of world finance, something unusual was happening on the sidewalk. Among the high-rise luxury banking buildings, executives in fancy suits, expensive watches, and thousand-dollar jewelry stores... they smelled something different in the air. Smoke from Arang. 

The aroma of chicken satay filled the street. And who brought it, set it up, and pushed the three-wheeled _gerobak_ to make that smoke? He is Rio Vamory, 34, from Padang Panjang, West Sumatera. A former banker at one of Zurich’s most famous banks. Now a satay vendor. 

Neue Zürcher Zeitung, the oldest and most prestigious newspaper in Switzerland—the reading reference for politics and financial elites in Europe for centuries—gave Rio one full page. For a newspaper like NZZ to cover a satay vendor is serious acknowledgment. 

Facade Swiss National
Bank branch Zurich

"Not many, almost no bankers change their profession to become chicken satay vendors. And this brave man did it,” said an NZZ editor. 

But how did a banker in Zurich end up selling satay?

Rio was born in Padang Panjang in 1983. His life was not simple. His mother, Rosmindah, moved to Switzerland after marrying a Swiss citizen of Tibetan descent. 

As a child, Rio lived in a small Islamic boarding school, a _pesantren_, in Bogor. Years later, his mother missed him too much. In 2006, when Rio was 25, he was brought to Switzerland. 

He went to college. After graduating, he worked in banking — the “bright path” to success for most people. He earned more than enough for a comfortable life in Zurich. He could afford everything. 

But there was one thing he couldn’t find at his office desk. “I was not happy working in the bank.” Simple words. Huge consequences. He didn’t quit impulsively. He planned for years. Even as a student, he wrote his thesis about food trucks. 

Long before he left the office, he prepared capital, ran crowdfunding, studied public selling regulations, perfected the menu, and figured out how to deliver _real_ Indonesian taste to a city that had never known it. 

"If I were nekad, of course not. I had planned it for years,” he said. 

NZZ Office

In May 2017, he started selling chicken satay on the streets of Zurich using a classic Indonesian three-wheeled _gerobak_. Not in a restaurant. Not in an AC building. Outside, like a vendor in his hometown. 

The smoke from burning _arang_, the bamboo skewers, the peanut sauce, and the sweet soy sauce—he brought all of it from Indonesia to the heart of Europe. 

His first customers weren’t Indonesian. They were bankers in ties, lawyers, and executives from multinational companies. Curious about the strange, delicious smoky smell on their city streets. They stood and queued for lunch, ignoring smoke on their formal clothes, enjoying skewer after skewer of chicken satay they’d never found anywhere else in the city. 

The story spread. Indonesia’s Tourism Minister praised him publicly. And NZZ gave him one full page. 

Even with popularity and public attention, Rio never forgot where he came from. From every Swiss franc he earned, he set aside part to donate to forest sustainability in Sumatera. Every skewer of satay he sold, part of it flowed back to the land he was born in. 

Why satay?

It's not easy to bring to Europe. Not like _Nasi Goreng_ that you can cook in a closed pot in an apartment. Not like _rendang, which is easy to reheat. Satay needs _arang_. It needs smoke billowing up. It needs skewers burned one by one in front of buyers. No shortcuts. Just like his decision to execute his dream. 

Zurich got satay. NZZ got a one-page story. And Indonesia got living proof that a traditional taste from Padang can cross boundaries — even through the cold wind of Europe.

The Secret to Conquering Steep Hills in Bandung

Nagreg Lama, Bandung

Bandung is famous for two things: amazing food and amazing cycling spots.

Cyclists from all over West Java come here for the views.  

In North Bandung, you’ve got Dago, Tahura, Punclut, Tebing Keraton, Lembang, Maribaya, and Tangkuban Perahu.  In the South: Ciwidey, Soreang, Majalaya.  

Nagreg Ring Road

West: Padalarang, Cimahi, Cimindi.  

East: Ujung Berung, Cicalengka, Patung Kuda, and Nagreg.

The problem? Most of them come with brutal, steep hills.

A lot of cyclists see a climb and immediately turn around. They’d rather ride 20km flat than 5km uphill. I get it. I used to be that guy too.

After years of getting dropped, walking, and cursing on these climbs, here are the 5 tiny secrets that actually work:

1. Don’t look at the top. Look 3 meters ahead.

The moment you stare at the top of the hill, your brain quits.  

Instead, pick a spot 3 meters in front of your wheel and focus on pedaling smoothly to get there. Think of something funny. A happy mind pedals better.

2. Pace yourself. Start slow.

The #1 rookie mistake: attacking the hill too fast. You’ll blow up in 30 seconds.  

Start easy. You can always speed up later. Hills are a marathon, not a sprint.

3. Shift early. Manage your gears. 

Bike Gear

Don’t wait until your legs are dying to shift down.  

Anticipate. As soon as the road tilts up, drop a gear. Keep your cadence smooth, not grinding.

4. Use the "Zigzag" method—switchbacking

This is the most important one.  

When it gets too steep, don’t go straight up. Ride side-to-side in a zigzag.  

Why it works: You’re making the road longer, so the gradient feels less steep. Plus, it gives your brain something to do besides suffering. You focus on steering, not pain.  

I’ve used this on Dago and Punclut for years. It works.

5. Break through the mental block.

Hills are 70% mental. Tell yourself: "Just to that tree. Now just to that sign."  

Believe you can do it. Your body will follow your mind.

The last two are the real game-changers: switchbacking and mindset. 

Master those, and you’ll never fear a steep hill again.

Good luck on every climbing journey! See you at the top 😉

Karma Begal at Flyover Kiaracondong

As you sow, so shall you reap. 

Late midnight at Flyover Kiaracondong, Bandung.

Lita Anggraini,
22 years old

Four men—sadistic robbers the city called "Begal"—were waiting under the overpass for their next victim. 

They didn’t have to wait long. At 11:30 PM, a woman rode through alone on a motorbike, wearing a full-face helmet and moving fast.

The place was dead quiet. There were no other riders, no one on the street. She was climbing the flyover when the four men watched her from the darkness.

With just a glance, a blink, and a silent signal, they agreed without speaking: This is our target. They drew their weapons.

200 meters ahead, she started down the slope. Two of them stood in the middle of the 10-meter road, 60-cm machetes in hand, shoulder to shoulder. Another waited 10 meters behind, and the last one — Warno Gamblis, the one they called the most brutal — hid 6 meters ahead. She saw them and hit the gas.

She managed to swerve past the first three, but Warno stepped out. At close range, he swung his blade, and it struck her neck. She fell instantly, blood spreading across the asphalt, while her head—still in the helmet—rolled a few meters away. Like a pack of hungry lions, they swarmed in.

Motorbike, bag, jewelry, and the wallet from her pocket. All of it took less than 10 minutes before they disappeared into the dark. 

Flyover Kiaracondong
photo:unsplash.com

In a quiet place, they counted the loot. Warno opened the wallet, took the cash, and was about to throw it away when he saw a photo inside. It was a little girl sitting on a man’s lap, and a half-body picture of a young woman.

He stared, then stared again, and cold sweat broke across his skin. On the ID card it read: Lita Anggaini. 22 years old. Born in Sragen, Central Java. He ran back to the flyover. There was police tape and a crowd and a body without a head covered with cardboard.

With his heart in his throat, Warno pushed through and hugged her. “My daughter... oh my God. You’re my daughter. Lita... It’s me. Your dad.” 

People went silent. Some cried. Before the police could speak, he held out both hands.

“These are my hands, officer.” Click. Handcuffs. 

In the police car, his voice was breaking:

“I’m tired of running. Tired of hiding. I have done it many, many times. And now... I’ve killed my own daughter.”

Lita had left Sragen after high school with one dream: to become a nurse.

Her parents couldn’t afford the tuition, so she worked as a cashier at a minimarket by day and went to nursing school by night, living in a small rented room with big hope. That night she was only going to the store.

She borrowed her boyfriend’s motorbike and helmet. Her dream didn’t end in a hospital. It ended under a flyover and by the hands of the man who was supposed to protect her. 

Reflection: 

Sometimes God works in ways we can’t understand — not to destroy us, but to wake us up. Warno spent years robbing, hurting, and running, but it took one photo to stop him.

One face that looked back at him from his own wallet. Karma isn’t always thunder. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it’s a wallet.

Sometimes it’s seeing your sin reflected in the eyes of the person you love most. And it leaves me asking:

How many times do we pass each other in the dark before we choose not to be the ones who cause the pain?

Pedaling Through the Chaos: A Midnight Reflection

 The clock on the wall ticked toward 11:00 PM. It was high time to sleep, yet I remained wide awake.

 A storm of thoughts fought for space in my head. I thought about myself, my family, friends, the work I had left behind, empty pockets, drained savings, bills past their due dates, and debts that hooked me, demanding payment. All these worries mixed into one giant knot: problems.

 

Sometimes you have to ride
in the dark to see the lights 

Ugh, I felt messy! But deep down, I knew I could handle everything, even if no instant solution came to mind.

 "Heck with it," I thought. I didn't care anymore. Cortisol spontaneously surged through my body; I felt a warmth in my chest. "It is time. I have to do something," I hummed to myself.

 Quickly, I prepared to go out before the night slipped away. Without thinking twice, I decided to deep dive into the night alone. I had to turn these problems into a moment of clarity.

I grabbed my old Trek bike from the wall mount. Next, I put on my brightest, most eye-catching jacket with fluorescent strips on the sleeves and back. I checked the front and rear lights—the most important tools to ensure visibility in the dark. I picked up my helmet, locked the door, walked through the yard, and latched the fence.

 A few minutes later, I found myself on the road, starting to cycle slowly. Where was I going? I had no idea. Just keep pedaling.

Getting To Know Types of Bicycles: Choose Based On Your Needs

Part 1# 

Why has cycling become a global trendsetter in the modern world?

Choose the bike that suits your terrain goal

Cycling is not just about pedaling. It’s also a lifestyle, fashion, and even a form of exploration. You can see riders on the road wearing bright colors with various designs. Yes, it’s not just for fashion but also for safety — at least to be seen easily by other riders or drivers and to avoid crashes.

A lot of gear has been created creatively. From helmets, jerseys, arm sleeves to protect your hands from direct UV exposure that can damage your skin; sunglasses to protect from harsh sun or rain, gloves, to tight shorts with padding to protect your seat, and even shoes that come in many different types.

For professional riders, they usually use cleat shoes that attach to the pedals. These help increase acceleration and speed, making pedaling feel lighter and more efficient. For casual riders, regular lightweight sports shoes without cleats are also commonly used.

Every accessory is not just about style and appearance. Each one has a specific function for safety and health reasons.

Now let’s talk about the bikes

There are many types of bicycles. Starting with: road bikes, mountain bikes/MTB, downhill bikes, and hybrid bikes — a combination of road bikes and MTB, also called gravel bikes.

There are also touring bikes for long-distance trips. These usually have racks in the front, back, or both to carry gear needed for long journeys. Things like spare clothes, fluorescent rain jackets, socks, sleeping bags, food, medicine, bike tools like a pump, tire patches, spare tubes, special tools, including a survival kit, and even a foldable tent for sleeping in the forest, for example.

Types of Bicycles Based on the Terrain

Bicycle types are made based on the terrain you will ride on. If you will ride in the city or on smooth asphalt roads, or even outside the city on similar road conditions, then a road bike is ideal — outside of special race tracks like a velodrome.

But if you will tackle rocky, muddy, sandy, wet, or even gravel roads, then a mountain bike (MTB) is the better choice.

But if you ride somewhere between those two extremes, then a Cross Country bike, usually called XC, is the most comfortable. XC bikes are great on smooth roads, in and out of villages, but can also handle grass fields, light mud, and some rocks or gravel.

For the same kind of terrain, people also use gravel or hybrid bikes. This is a new innovation — a combination of a road bike and an XC bike.

However, if you love high-adrenaline cycling, like going down hills, you need a special downhill bike. This type needs an extra-strong frame, tires, and shock absorbers.

And if you like doing stunts, jumps, and tricks like in a circus, you also need a special type and design. Things like 360° handlebar rotation, a frame without a seat, and no hand disc brakes but with a gyro/ultraff.

If you like traveling but didn't have the opportunity to bike, then a folding bike is your choice. It's easy to carry wherever you go. 

So, where do you want to ride? Choose the right bike that fits your terrain and your goal.

My Journey To Writing Skill: The Sprightly Senior

This is my retrospective on how I conquered and experienced hard times in the past and then moved on to cope with every trouble that pulled me back. 

But through the tiredness of struggle, I reached what I wanted, instead of giving up. I started in the middle, because the past part is too private. 

The piece of writing here is just for practice writing only.  I hope nobody reads it!

Since I lost my job, I left social activities that I didn't need and left social media. To be honest, at first it was hard, and it made me feel lonely. Fortunately, dark coffee and cigarettes accompanied me to cope with everything. Did it work? Not yet.

My 350 km Birthday Ride : Age is Just a Number, and Cycling is a Choice

 

March 14th, 2022. Late at night, alone in Bekasi. The clock pointed to 11:45 pm. It was high time I got some sleep. But I still couldn't close my eyes for even a minute. I had no idea why. 

Since my wife had left home to stay in Bandung and help our daughter give birth, I had been living alone. And being lonely is another story. 

What came to my mind was, "Tomorrow I have to do something! Something different, not just a usual day! It must be something special that will last forever in my memories, that I can proudly tell my grandsons someday." I thought about it more than twice: Could I cycle about 200 km to Bandung alone? But why? And for what? To prove myself? No, of course not.

That’s what came and fought in my mind. Early the next morning, I took my old 'Trek' and started slowly, heading outside.

Yes, I had decided to take a long ride. An adventure tour. Unsupported. Just me, alone!  

It’s not only nice to hear, but it was also truly a challenging trip! Time was on my side; yes, it was. March 15th, the day I was born. I had reached sixty years old!  

But what had I done? What proud achievements have I had until now?

Even though I had done many things, in this personal historic moment, I needed a mark to remember. There was no reason not to do it.

Because I still had strong hands and legs, good health and mind, and a proportional body shape. That spirit kept me pedaling far away from home. I had to push myself beyond the boundaries. The road was relatively flat, sometimes hilly, and rolling. I saw so many things along the way.

At the pit stops, there were vendors selling everything: meals, food, drinks, or just a place to relax with coffee. Whenever the speedometer on my handlebar showed a certain number of kilometers, I pulled aside to take a break. I felt very tired when I had to pass through 'Hutan Pinus' with its steep and winding road.

It drained all my power and energy. I felt exhausted.

Should I go back and enjoy precious time with a few good friends? The feeling of tiredness really made me want to return home. Every time my resolve wavered, I pictured myself and spurred myself onward. I had promised myself: no matter what challenges lay ahead, I would face them head-on. After climbing such a steep hill at Hutan Pinus, I got my reward.

Yes, there’s always a gift when you succeed. It was the beautiful scenery.

I lay down on the grass under a big tree. I felt tired and needed to recover, and it had been worth it.

So, once I hit the flat road again, I took a break every 20–30 km. Then, after more than 5 breaks, I finally reached Bandung, my homeland.

My family looked surprised. They didn’t even believe I had arrived there... by bike!  

Even I couldn't believe myself. How could such a tiny vehicle carry me hundreds of kilometers from home? They knew this was a precious moment, so we had a simple celebration together.

We hugged and laughed. Now, I am going to be 65.

The next morning, I returned to Bekasi via Purwakarta.

If I had a chance to do it again, I would.

But I would prefer going to other destinations rather than the same place I’ve seen before.

Bali, Lombok, Labuan Bajo... they’re all on my mind. Every touring experience has taught me one thing:

No big problem or great obstacle can beat you or define you, unless you make your mind as big as the obstacle.

If you think you can, then you will. I believe it. Now, at 65, I prefer to be one of the sprightly seniors rather than lying bedridden in a hospital bed. Age is just a number. And cycling is just a choice!

Bencana Sumatra, Pemerintah Tidak Mau Belajar! (Bagian 2)

Sebanyak 600 Unit Hunian Sementara, diserahkan DANANTARA
kepada pemkab Aceh Tamiang, Kamis, pekan lalu (foto:AFP).

Satu bulan setengah, sudah berlalu. Sejak bencana dahsyat banjir bandang dan tanah longsor menghantam  Aceh, Sumatera Utara dan Sumatera Barat, belum menunjukkan perbaikan signifikan. Berbagai laporan di lapangan mengungkapkan betapa masih beratnya kondisi yang dihadapi rakyat di ketiga provinsi itu. 

Bencana dahsyat semacam ini bukan pertama kali terjadi di Indonesia. Meskipun jenis, skala, dan jumlah korban jiwa berbeda, Indonesia berpengalaman menangani bencana dengan sangat baik di masa lalu, bahkan mendapatkan apresiasi dan pujian internasional. Sayangnya, pemerintah tidak mau belajar!