Indonesia Day 1

I knew about this trip since early Aug. I had an internal struggle; this period was Isa's year-end exam and this symposium was very important to my career. I was praying hard that the dates changed and thus I could attend with ease. But since it is an international symposium, the organiser has long FIXED the dates.

Finally I embarked on this lone working trip again at this sensitive period. I have never been to any working trip with my colleagues and this one is no exceptional.

The plane was full and the departure gate opened quite early. I was hoping for a punctual arrival time as Wilma from Costa Rica, Leung from HK, Edmond from Russia and others were waiting for me at the arrival hall of Jakarta airport.

The plane left late due to some baggages' problem. As a result, the arrival time was delayed. As agreed, Martin met me near the immigration counter and I was relieved to see him. The queues at the immigration was long and I took almost an hour to clear. After collecting my luggage, I still have to queue to have my belongings scanned before I could leave the airport. By then, Martin was nowhere to be found.

The moment I stepped out, people asking whether I want hotel or taxi etc. I panicked a bit, I saw no sign of Martin and Wilma. Martin forgot to tell me the meeting place! I have no choice but to remain near the exit and hope to see Martin or Wilma. Else I have to start making a call to the organiser.

Not long, Martin appeared again and he said he was looking frantically for me too. He told me Wilma and Leung were already waiting at the coffee stall. We were glad to meet each other. Wilma has a real long flight; from Costa Rica to Los Angeles to HK and then finally Jakarta. In fact Wilma and Leung were on the same flight.

From the airport, it would be a 2.5 hours' drive which I detest most. During the firt half of the journey, the traffic was smooth on the expressways. During the second half when we passed through the villages before heading to our destination, the roads became narrow; squeezed between houses. The roads or lanes were so narrow that I thought they were single-laned but traffic from opposite direction came. I think the driving skill of the drivers must be number one.

Along these roads, we chat happily. The feeling was funny, we are from the same profession though different parts of the world. We speak the "same language".

I saw countless adults and kids helped to "direct" the busy traffic

The room in this hostel is simple. Or should I opt to stay in a hotel but quite a distance away?

Anyway, I am not staying here for good. As long as it is safe and reasonably clean, I cannot expect too much. Afterall it is USD 40 per night inclusive of 3 meals and 2 coffee-breaks.

The dinner was real simple; white rice, fried chicken, fried fish fillet but with bones, stir-fry veg and a soup made of sweet corn & egg.

The room and dinner were pale in comparison with the working trip in Beijing last Nov.

During dinner, I knew nobody or nobody approached to talk to me. When I was on my way back to my room, another group of participants arrived.

I hope to have a good start tomorrow.