Life in CGK

Since i am free this week, i shall have more time to update my blog a bit. I wonder if anyone still reads my blog or have forgotten it entirely? hahhaha.. I wont blame them cos i have not been updating it regularly. I wish i can have more than 24 hours so that i can update my blog and do other stuff. hahahha... Back to the topic on my life in CGK.

It was a pretty dusty morning when i arrived at Jakarta. My colleague from Jakarta office updated me on what will be happening over the next few days. I was like in a daze when he talked to me. I was listening and digesting as the car drove along the congested streets. This is in fact the second time i was in Jakarta. The first time was in 1997 when i was only 18. However, i cant remember Jakarta. No memories of the place. hahhaha....

Once i reached office, i started work immediately. I woke up at 5 am tat day ok. hahaha... After a flight, i am still quite fresh though hungry by tat time. Called various pple to see if they can help. I made a call to the Chinese Association where i spoke to a nice lady. We had a fair bit of conversation as i get to understand the situation in Indonesia better. She provided me with some contacts that i could call.

While waiting for another contact, i manage to spoke to the chairman of the chinese association. He was a nice man. He even invited me to attend their programs on the spot. I am like wow! They feel honoured when they found out that a foreigner is there to interview them. I chatted with him briefly. By noon, my contact got back to me and we were on our way to meet another important figure in the community.

I had lunch at a noodle store. Really yummy! Junlin brought me there to have a taste of the local food. He was very helpful throughout the trip. He got me a prepaid SIM card where i can call. It is so much cheaper to call in Indonesia and also back home using the prepaid card. I wonder why our calls charges are so expensive.

The first interviewee i met was a prominent figure in the chinese community. He had strong views on various issues, ranging from Indonesian chinese to the presidential election. We talked a lot and i was glad Junlin manage to contact him. He was even kind enough to arrange for other people whom i can speak to. Thanks Mr Hartono. It made my job so much easier.

By the time i went back to office, it was almost 7pm. I went back to hotel with all my luggage. However, there was no king size bed room available on a non smoking floor. I had no choice but to choose on a single bed room. Grrrrrr. But its ok la, the bed is still big enough. Though there was a king size bed room, but it was in the smoking floor. Sorry, but i dun really like the smell of ciggies. So i settled for the single bed room. However, i was told they need to clean up the room and i have to wait for another 45 mins.

Gosh! hahah.. I was famished! No choice, so i decided to wait. They gave me 2 complimentary drinks at the bar while i waited. When it was time, i almost fainted. I went up to the room immediately, put down my stuff and went for dinner. I was dead tired on the first day. Ate in my room and slept almost immediately.

Day 1 was really tiring for me. Hahahha.. more to come on the trip if i have the time to update. Cheers!