I’ve been so busy reorganizing my life and career that I haven’t even posted about my trip to Jakarta! I was sent to conduct a training class for Rational Testing Tools from June 3-9. It was too bad that there was no Authorized or Certified Instructor in my class to observe and rate me, and eventually grant me an Authorized status and recommend me for Certification. But then I’m leaving Software Lab Services anyway, so it didn’t matter.
I flew in Sunday afternoon. I had a 3-hour wait at the Changi airport – too short a time for me to take a quick visit to the Great Singapore Sale. On second thought, are you even allowed to go out of the airport if you’re just there for a connecting flight? I got to the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at around 11PM Indonesia time, and finally, to my hotel at close to 12MN. I didn’t really read up on Jakarta before my trip – except for food to try – so I was perplexed at their currency. I changed USD 50 to IDR and got a shitwad of bills in 100,000 denominations. OMG. Hahaha. And to further confuse, their 100k bill is the same shade of pink as their 10k bill.
I took an airport taxi to Shangri-la Jakarta. I didn’t know then to trust only the Blue Bird Group of cabs, so I took some random one parked at the airport exit. I got charged a total of IDR 95,000, excluding a toll fee of IDR 10k. So I gave the cab driver IDR 100k, expecting IDR 5k in change. He didn’t give it to me. But I was so tired and sleepy that I let it go. Plus, he suddenly seemed to stop understanding English. I found out later on, when I asked IBMers Yoyok and Rikrik about the right tipping amount, that IDR 5k and below were considered decent tip amounts. I wasn’t ripped off after all.
The IBM office in Jakarta is 15 minutes away from Shangri-la Hotel. I was advised to take a cab even in the mornings as the path to the IBM building includes a dark tunnel where people got mugged. Especially laptop-carrying ones. At least the hotel uses the Silver Bird taxis of the Blue Bird Group.
Me at the IBM Indonesia Office:
I was initially informed that the participants would be Rational business partners in need of skilling. They turned out to be cross-brand IBMers, mostly from Software Lab Services. I had to change some of the materials to suit their needs. They were fun, smart people. I particularly enjoyed the company of Budi, Yoyok, Rahmadi, and Rikrik.
The first day, we went to a place that served Padang cuisine, Restoran Sederhana – Masakan Padang. When we sat down, I wondered why no one was being given menus. I thought maybe it was a Pay As You Order, Self Service thing. Then these waiters approached with several dishes stacked up along their arms. And I mean dishes with food on them. The placed 15 or so different viands in front of us. You only pay for what viands you eat, plus rice of course. And I also got myself the popular avocado juice – the one mixed with chocolate omg soooo good. I forgot to take a picture, so I snagged this Padang pic from Jenz Corner:
I got the spicy prawns, the crispy vegetables with chili – so good! – and beef rendang, and the chicken fried in water. Tuesday, I had bebek goreng, or fried duck with rice and chili sauce at the Ambassador Mall. Wednesday, we went to another mall, Sarinah, and I had a Baso Malang Super Komplit (2 types of noodles, soup, chicken balls, wanton, tofu, and crackers) and Es Teler (avocado, chickweed, kaong, coconut in milk and ice). The es teler is a great refreshment during humid days. Thursday was gado-gado day. Gado-gado is mixed vegetables and tofu with this sweet peanut sauce. While eating, I told them about kare-kare, which they were eager to try. “Very interesting” was the comment. Friday, Yoyok and I went to the posh Plaza Indonesia and I had Soto Ayam, which is chicken and vegetables in hot soup with a hint of coconut milk.
Budi took me to Pasaraya Grande Wednesday afternoon for souvenirs. They didn’t have any of those cheap ass, buy-4-for-SGD10 tourist shirts like they do in Singapore, so I just got a pretty batik tablecloth with table napkins for my grandmother, and some batik place settings with coasters and table napkins. I went back to Plaza Indonesia Friday afternoon and talked myself out of buying a Neverfull MM – they had in stock for IDR 6.5M, approximately Php34k. Instead, I got Mik’s mom a hand carved box for her collection, and several batik bags, key chains, and coin purses for the folks at home. As for me, I got the first item in my Starbucks City Mug (soon-to-be) collection. Yes, I’m starting to collect them (*birthday hint hint*). I currently have Jakarta and Taipei (thanks to Mik’s mom). I didn’t have time to get a Singapore one when I was at Changi (stoopid!), so I’m asking Eric, Mae, or JP to get me one.
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, please get me an LA or NY one, kthxbai. XD
