traffic & dehydration

Wednesday morning, Sari and I tried unsuccessfully to get some Amex traveller's cheques cashed at the Amex bank since they weren't open yet and I had a Gray Line tour to catch at the Gran Melia Jakarta hotel. Beautiful place. This was where the Satria's sister's wedding reception was last Saturday. Got some change at the hotel and met up with Slmat (driver) & Edward (guide). Turns out Edward is Catholic and yes, this is his real name. I was the only one on the tour, which cost me a whooping US$25 or Rp 230.000. The tour was called Kampoeng: The Old Batavia and basically we went to some locations that had to do with the history of Jakarta, from a small harbor tour in the 14th century to current day. Old Batavia is in the 'Kota' area of the city now, which holds all the reminiscence of how the Dutch structured their Jakarta, when they held rank.

First we went to the National Museum and Edward and I walked through, examining all the Hindu (dominant religion prior to Islam) statues and traditional housing structures for all the different 'types' of Indonesia culutre. Everything from spirit houses to beautiful gold and diamond jewelry- definately a nice place to go, but alas, no pics were allowed. The best thing about this stop on the tour was that it was field trip day for some local schools, so I was stared at by quite a number of, let's say, second graders. girls and boys staring and smiling at me, like I was somekind of show. I have to admit it was kind of cool.

Second, Edward took me to Glodok, the center of Jakarta's China Town and we strolled down the market street and visited Petak Sembilian Chinese Temple, dedicated to the Buddhist goddess of mercy, Kuan Yin. It was very beautiful, but there were many homeless beggars outside of the temple. Edward mentioned that they are here in case people feel as if they need to give some of what they have away after praying at the temple. because of this, some of the "beggars" may not be that at all; many just leave their nice clothes at home and act as beggars for extra money.

After getting stuck in some lovely traffic (what's new in Jakarta!), we headed to the Fatahillah Museum, which is housed in the old town hall of Batavia. One of the best stories is of the Portuguese canon that was originally placed in the square before the old town hall. Because of the design at the back of the canon, many women came to make offerings to the canon, in hopes of finding a husband or bearing children. the officials had to move it into the courtyard, away from the public b/c they did not want the canon associated with such thoughts.

After lunch at Cafe Batavia, we went by the Kota Intan Drawbridge and the Sunda Kelapa Harbor. The 500-year old harbor is home to brightly painted Makassar schooners called Phinsi, which transfer goods to all of the outer Indonesian islands, without means of electronic equipment.

My tour was supposed to take 7 hours, but I was done in 4, as I was the only one, so I met Sari at Senayan City and went to work with her in the afternoon. She had a photo shoot, so I was in the studio as she was coordinating the shoot and arranging the models. One horrendous thing about yesterday was that I didn't drink enough water during the tour and once Sari met up with me, I was done for. almost started crying b/c of the searing tension headache I had. our evening plans were cancelled and after sitting in traffic for 40 minutes, I took a pill and went to bed for 4 hours, only to wake up to eat some soup and go back to bed. Today was supposed to be another day out for me, but I am home, about to go to Pizza Hut for lunch (update: I did eat there and it was interesting. honey lime tea and a personal stuffed crust pizza with chicken and tomatos and some dill mayo sauce. my lips are still tingling) and the grocery store (successful!). Tonight is dinner with Sari's aunt at a new mall for her birthday. My Chemical Romance is playing at the local stadium and I was hoping to go, but with my feeling not so great and the planned dinner, it's a no go. Would have been cool though. The posters are everywhere around the city!

Tomorrow, I am going on another Gray Line tour, The Golden Jakarta Tour, to the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, a miniature park reproducing the Indonesian archipelago. I am very excited about tomorrow and I will be sure to drink lots of water and carry my pills with me :)

tuesday's events

hmmm... Sari took Tuesday the 29th off as well, so the three of us (including her maid) to visit her parent's for lunch. Sari's Mom doesn't have a maid right now, so Sari lent her maid to her mom for the day. Very nice house, but the best thing was seeing all the photos of Sari as a little girl and the family portraits.

Sari has bangs now and she looks just like she did when she was younger! After a nice lunch and some fantastic english conversation with her Dad (and her Mom, who is getting very good I must say), it was time to play dress-up for this Saturday's tradition Sudanese wedding ceremony with Sari's Mom's family. I tried on a few things then exclaimed "I am not a tiny Asian woman! I have hips and legs!" This got a nice laugh out of her mom. We finally found a kebaya that fit me and a sarong that they will wrap me up in, so much that I will just be able to walk about stiffly. I am really looking forward to it, especially since my color pattern is lime green, purple and gold. yes!

Sari and I took off to Senayan City mall and take a look at this escalator!

I also got approached by an Australian(?) guy who started asking me how long I was in Jakarta for and finally my number. yes. I got hit on by someone in a Jakarta mall. awesome! Sari and I ate at Sushi Tei and just like in New York, I over ordered, but some friends came to hang out so the majority of it was finished off. we then headed to Foodism for a drink and some convo. Sari had work on Wednesday and I was tired, so we headed back to the house and to bed.

and let me mention about the malls in Jakarta- they are everywhere and totally the place to be seen. you think that malls in the US are hangouts for teenagers? come on over to Jakarta! on the weekends they are packed with women wearing their best outfits, always with very tall high heels. if they are shopping with their children, there will most likely be a nanny with them in charge fof the child. and these nannies have uniforms. they look like nurses. I saw one even wearing a mask over her mouth. during the weekdays, the housewives come shopping. still in high heels.

I feel so out of place in my bermuda shorts and sandals.

taking it easy

monday, 1/28 11:06 pm
hey. I can only get internet off of Sari's computer, which has dial-up, so I am gonna try and connect my computer and post some pics later. here's a recap:

sunday: went to the Plaza Senayan & bought a black dress for me at Metro to wear Monday night to the L'Oreal launch party. ran errands with Sari & had dinner at Waroeng Pasta and met up from her boss at work, Jatu and her friend. came home and watched part of a horrific movie with Sarah Michelle Gellar titled "The Return".

monday: woke up at 4:15am to the first of five prayer calls for the day from the local mosque. louder and longer than the weekend, but Sari reminded me (& we watched it on tv), that their former President (more like a dictator) had died yesterday and today was the funeral. hung out and took it easy, then took a bajaj (little enclosed motorcar) down the road to have dessert after lunch at The Cheese Cake Factory- and no, it's not the same.

got an iced tea at Starbucks and read some Harry Potter 4 on the couch. lots of thunder, but no rain to cool off the humidity.

got all gussied up and had a Femina (Sari's magazine) driver take us to Dragonfly, a club where L'Oreal was launching new haircolor and giving out Colorist of the Year Awards.

one great thing about this morning is that Sari and I planned out my day trips for the rest of my time here, so I am busy while she is at work. booked a city tour for Wednesday and a spa day for next Monday.

it's a very interesting city from what I've seen so far. I can definately say that I am in the middle of culture shock- from the way the house is set-up to the neighborhood and the men with their carts/stalls hocking food every minute of every day (bread, anyone?). and yes, the traffic is as bad as I read about. and my stomach has been fine; although I haven't eatten anything crazy yet.

hoping to get a good amount of pics up tomorrow, but Sari says downloading takes a while, so cross your fingers ;)

accomplishment #1

hi! I am happy to announce that I am using the computer in Sari's bedroom as we speak. Once I got on the plane at JFK, it was made known to me that we would actually be making a stop in Stockholm, Sweden then going onto Kuala Lumpur and then Jakarta. So that was interesting. Didn't see too many devastatingly beautioful blondes however. The KLIA airport is apparently the first enviromentally friendly airport in the world and I have to say that it was beautifully constructed.

The best part of the trip so far still happened at the airport in Jakarta prior to getting my Visa On Arrival- I had to go to the bathroom standing up. When I say this, picture a recessed toilet into the ground basically and footholds on the side.

got to the house and settled into my room. Sari took me to KFC where I had Kombo 1- two pieces of chicken, some rice and a soda. We then hit the grocery store and I came back for a 2 hour nap, as we are going to a wedding reception tonight. So I am gonna run and start to get ready. By the way- it's so hot here and I was totally thinking it would be ok to wear jeans and a top everyday, but it's hotter than hell and there is no way I will put jeans on these legs unless it's nighttime or it's windy or rainy. I feel that if I do nothing exercise/resistance wise, the pounds are still gonna sweat off! Sari says it's like a sauna here and I'll want to take several showers per day.

anyway- gotta run and get ready for tonight. lots planned this week, as Sari is taking Monday and Tuesday off to spend with me. lots of love to you :)

Selamat Jalan, Lindsey!

My last day at work was on Friday the 18th, and I got a send off fit for a pirate wench at Jake's Saloon! I can't figure out how to post the flyer, as it's Adobe Acrobat, but if I do, I will attach it- it's crazy fun!

Saturday I got my hair done and then we had a Bon Voyage party at Flight 151 with dinner and drinks. I have to admit that I bought little plastic airline wings from some woman on eBay and they totally didn't get to me on time for the party :( They would have been such an awesome little favor! But it worked out awesome and I think everyone had an awesome time.

And it's Monday! Yesterday, MP and I picked up Sari's suitcase of stuff she previously left in NY from Rizal's and also Chelsea's big suitcase for me to pack in. Man! These bags are huge! Just making my lists, writing my info cards, etc etc etc. I am getting very excited and sort of can't believe that the trip is like 3 days away! Gotta run and get my cup of coffee!

making her list & checking it twice (or thrice)

the holidays were a little crazy, truth be told, but I survived. florida was crazy and not so warm, new years eve had me (apparently) trying to catch a cab in the middle of the street and downing more mixed drinks and shots than I should have.

and now it's coming up on two weeks out from my trip. and I have started to make lists people. I have made two and started crossing them off. let the craziness begin. or continue. whichever it may seem to be to you, looking from the outside in.

there is shopping to be done, bills to be paid, contacts to be ordered, passports to be photocopied, itineraries to be typed. oh! and a dress to be bought appropriate for two (yes! two!) Indonesian wedding receptions. what my luck :)

I definately haven't been planning on my actions during my stay, but Sari will be taking some days off when I get there to get me aquainted with my surroundings, so I am feeling more comfortable. I also just got my hotel for Sydney and I am hoping to attend the Soundwave Festival that Sunday I am in Sydney and catching some people I met this summer (Mindless Self Indulgence).

woohoo for now :)