The First of Many: Thursday in Jakarta

Today was a holiday in Indonesia. I got up early to work on email and to enjoy the sunrise. My room has a great view. My apologies to my friends that are really photographers -- it's a snapshot from my phone and it will do for anchoring the memory for me, but it doesn't do it justice.

I got a lot done and then headed over to the mall. That was an interesting experience. I did lots of window shopping, not so interested in luxury brands, but I did see some lovely batiks and some interesting stuff. The thing that amazed me was an entire level of children related, stores, play centers, craft activities, Hello lulu, Disney, Hello Kitty, Animal Land, Be Shabby, Bubble Girl, Colette, Contempo Kids, Coogee Kids Shoes, Crocs Kids, Early Learning Center, Gingersnaps, Hocus Focus (photos), Kakapo (really? do you know what this sounds like) , Kids Station, Lil' Lemarie, Little, Lollicuts (hair cuts for kids) -- there's more, but I think you get the point - just all sorts of stores, services and activities, including a miniature train that runs right down the middle of the mall corridor, a carousel, a "hideout" (sort of a forest theme play area, restaurants specifically for kids and their adults. Many of the nanny's were in white uniforms with a badge that said "Nanny" and it seemed like maybe mom's were off shopping and Nanny's were in charge of wearing the kids out so that everyone could have "high tea" after the shopping. It was really quite amazing. At first. And then it got crowded. And kids screaming in any language is annoying and headache inducing and I couldn't get away from there fast enough.

Well, my mission was accomplished as soon as I found an adapter for my laptop. And then I found a combination fresh produce, meats, groceries, import foods, household goods store and I wandered for over an hour looking at stuff in there. I could hardly resists the little lidded food containers that said "baby pooh" on them; they did have a picture of a baby-fied Winnie-the-Pooh, but it still made me laugh out loud.

I came back to my room and did some prep for work tomorrow and next week. And found the music video station. I love it. Maybe this music isn't new to anyone but me, but I heard so many things that I want to check out later that I started a play list over at you tube. And I particularly liked Laura Mvula, It's Alright.

sorry for the commercial at the beginning.

Well, my laundry has just been delivered and the turn-down service will be her soon. I'll have a hot bath and go to bed early to get ready for a long busy day tomorrow.

Here's some random pictures from the last few days:

Berry tea