I had the best weekend in Jakarta. On saturday morning, my Indonesian language teacher brought us to a local market to practice everyday conversation. SO FUN, sia!! The place was called Pasar Tebet and it reminded me of my childhood days when the wet markets still had live chickens. The fruits and vegetables sold there were actually as fresh and beautiful as those I saw in the 'atas' supermarkets. Totally going there more often because everytime I took out my wallet, I am fighting to keep my mouth closed. Sooooo cheap. I would prefer my fruits and vegetables organic but I am now, not sure if it is worth paying $4 for 2 capsicums and $6 for 2 avocados. Do I smell rip-off? Yesssss sir!!~
After lunch, we went to visit Loverboy's chaffeur's house in Tangerang. He had been driving for a Japanese company for 35 years and is retiring soon. It started as a joke really and when Loverboy casually asked if he could visit Pak Ahmad's house, he said, 'YES!' so we did. Pak Ahmad kept joking that his place is a rumah Ayam (chicken coop) but he IS a very smart man. 5 years ago he borrowed a sum of money from the company to build his home and now, in addition to his never-say-die attitude and tons of OT, he is a proud landlord to about 15 tenants. Damn jealous. Smart, no? It is a small, humble place but nonetheless impressive. I couldn't get over how smart he was to build the extra 15 rooms. Then I gave LB the 'WTF had u been doing?' look.
Fwaaa Pak Ahmad served us coke in vintage glass bottles. Can't see these anymore!
Pak Ahmad led us around his neighborhood and we sort of stumbled into the local Guru (religious teacher). He's a charismatic man with a big voice. Laughed half the time he talked to us. He shook our hands and immediately invited us into his home! Waaah, I think both Singaporeans and Japanese would never do that. There was a birthday party going on so there was easily about 25 people inside. Everyone welcomed us very warmly. *sniff* I am so touched by their warmth. The kids are soooo cute and chubby. There were 2 boys (SO CUTE) who sat between LB and I, Gajah and Egar. They laughed alot and even shared their cakes with us - total strangers!! I wanna bring them home!!
Can you see what these are?
Fluorescent chicks! Party time!!~ (No, actually I was horrified)
Miniature crabs (hermit?) painted like Spongebob.
Argh, after that afternoon I decided I will be very sad to leave Jakarta for good. The people really ARE friendly. Most of them don't have much but they are so wiling to share. I am surprised to be welcomed into their homes so impromptu... The rest of us? We have LCD TVs, Bose sound systems, large leather sofas, intelligent refrigerators and A/C but we are sooo shy to invite acquaintances over. If I had a place of my own, I would be holding parties every other weekend. I do do that in my Jakarta apartment but friends don't come over anymore....because I keep winning on the Playstation. Har har.
After we left Pak Ahmad's house, we got dinner, had LB's hair cut and even spent 20mins at a pet street fainting at the sight of kittens and furry cats. LUB! Unfortunately I again, did not go home with any. I can't wait until I have my own kid, then I can tag team with 'it' and plead LB for a pet. I am sure we will be a huge force not to be reckoned with!
Just in case you were wondering, Pak Ahmad picked us up at our apartment, drove us to his house and then drove us back to our apartment. Haha I feel almost loserly but hey, it's his job.
Til next time!
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