[EN] 6 Hours With Zaila and Ida 28 July 2006
Posted by alwi in : persona , trackback
This week, a new friend from Malaysia is visiting Bandung and Jakarta for 5 days. We got to knew each other from Yahoo!Answers, she posted this question and I replied. After that we continue communications by email. She only have 5 days visit and wants to make sure that she get the most of the 5 days.
I had a chance to meet her and her friend on the last day and shop around Jakarta for 6 hours.
Actually I had a lot of free time during her visit, but those free time are the only I have in my pocket. So I couldn’t get myself to visit and take these girls anywhere. Anyway I heard that she already had a tour guide and transport, so she will have a lot fun and get to go everywhere while visiting here.
Saturday, 22 July ‘06
Zaila sent me a text saying she had arrived and on the way to Bandung. She saw a large petrol station along the highway. I think is the one on KM Jakarta-Cikampek, the one with StarBucks and some cafe.
Monday, 25 July ‘06
I recieved a text from Za, but I didn’t understand her message. Later I found out that she was watching Malique & D’Esentials doing practice and soundcheck at HardRock Jakarta. Lucky her, only cost her a coke to watch this cool band.
Tuesday, 25 July ‘06
On their last night, I wanted to take em for a midnight drive around the city and some midnight coffee. Also crossed my mind to take the girls for a night shisha and cha-e, arabian smoking and tea. But the girls are too tired and had to pack their bags for tomorrow flight at 19.00. So we decided to meet in the morning.
Wednesday, 26 July ‘06 - 10.00
I swing by Grand Cempaka where the girls stayed in the morning. We chat for a while and I found out that they didn’t have enough time to shop around. I knew from our previous conversation that Za and her friend Ida are coming to shop to the last penny, and until then they haven’t met their goals yet. They been to some places, but they just didn’t have enough time in one place to look around and decide to buy something. Their tour guide only drop them in the mall –or wherever to shop– and they have to go around by themselves.
I think that is impossible, they’re tourists. They need help to find stuff and get a bargain price. I bet the tour guide will stay with them while the girls eat, smart yao. 
Later I decided to join the girls shopping. This is a girl thing but I have been shopping with my sisters and friends, I think shopping is okay… but… whatever. My goal is simple, the girls just have to tell me what they want and I will ask around to find it. But I leave them to choose and bargain, this is way off my cup of tea.
Wednesday, 26 July ‘06 - 11.00
We started in ITC Mangga Dua, but its too hectic there. I also think Mangga Dua shopping is a bit different. Don’t go Mangga Dua unless you already have a list of things to buy. Its even better if you also already know where to find the items and what is the usual price range. And usually people buy in bulk amount there.
Wednesday, 26 July ‘06 - 12.30
Then we move to ITC Cempaka Mas, where the girls have been there before. Within one hour we had 2 big bags, relatively small amout of shopping compared to other persons I’ve been shopping with.
But I couldn’t join the girls too long, I had to go to meet my brother that afternoon. I told her that she had to stay longer, at least 2 weeks. I also told her to extend her stay, tell her office that she’s hospitalized or got arrested and no way to go home any sooner. If she stay to weekend, she only had to skip work for one day, what to loose… haha 
Wednesday, 26 July ‘06 - 15.30
I left the girls shopping after I was sure that their tour guide already arrived in Cempaka Mas. The girls have about another hour to shop around and like every girls, they’re good in that area.
Wednesday, 26 July ‘06 - 17.00
Za sent a text message saying that they still waiting for the transport to take them to airport. With Jakarta crazy traffic, I kinda worried if the girls wont make it for their flight at 19.00.
Wednesday, 26 July ‘06 - 22.00
Good news, the girls did not miss their flight and have arrived in KL. Although I wish they extend their stay, but it was good news I guess.
Thursday, 27 July ‘06 - 21.00
I text Zaila asking her permission to post this thing, she agreed. Zaila said she just arrived from KL to her house. Along the road they keep talking and laughing about that weird funny big smile tall long haired extra skinny guy celeb/guide wannabe, or in my version a silly long haired big teeth skinny jobless broke IT-guy celeb wannabe.
Concluzion
It was fun meeting you girls, looking forward to the next, whenever, wherever. Wish I was making more time for you, or you should have skip work just one day and stay longer here.
For other who wants to visit Indonesia, pleeeaaassee… 5 days is noooot enough. Stay for at least 2 weeks, but don’t stay too long especially in Jakarta. You’ll go crazy with Jakarta the traffic hell on earth.
Umm… I’m thinking to start a hospitality bizness… I think I can do well…
Comments»
go ahead w/ that hospitality biz.. you’ll do fine.. and i told my boss u want to get me hospitalized.. he said.. only in ur dreams..