Fun and Games

Trial now this kiddie hangout on Sabang, only 3kms out from Tanah Ab. The food chase and tolerable net the drivers; further exploration always additionally. The Nat. Gallery opp. the stasiun few days back terribly saddening for the hurry-hurry art catch-up with the first world. The foundation era architect, pal of Soekarto’s—Frederich Silaban, who was exhibited in one of the side rooms—had been commissioned to do the other catch-up for the newly independent city’s landmarks. Well, you can’t get a teh jahe with susu, ginger tea with milk to save yourself anywhere in this city, but the T. T. not damn bad. (Yesterday at the Nacional Perpustakaan—modeled on the Singaporean forerunner no doubt—in the little kiddie corner cafe there they actually produced the former on the spot it seemed, with numerous real ginger pieces afloat. Almost ordered a second. Rp23 here, close to 2.5 dolaro was cheeky. The aircon and low lighting had been the attraction from the street. Then the red velvet bench seat (all occupied) and wooden furniture. Clearly good wifi—the kids with expensive Apples arrayed. Curious passersby wonder to themselves from the other side of the glass whether they fit the bill, whether they are cool enough to be received indoors; precisely as you yourself had done in your own time you kampung boy from the Western suburbs. Before you turned into the koolest Daddy-Oh, hey ho! at least in these parts with such little, uncertain and inadequate competition. Good to see an older scarf join a pretty pixie co-religionist with her boy. Poor sweet and scarfed Anita back in Sing had been stung hearing an oldie say to her husband as we passed, Well, will you look at that. (Words to the effect.) Heavily Chin weighted you might have thought initially. In fact that was only the joined tables in the window with their 4/5 laps. Casual cool such an extent none of the staff could give a damn rat's about serving and it was fun to make the phones jump in their hands behind the counter. MBAK! got the girl’s attention alright, for all that the intonation might not have been spot-on. Shit a brick! Jogging round quick smart almost tripping over herself, while the lads in back re-settled again after the earthquake. Apologies for the lack of jahe, wished she could have made it magically appear on a saucer. As the paramount exemplar now laddie, show ‘em how it’s done with true style, effortlessly and natural pretty much, casting over the walls and out the window pen raised, you've got a strong chin and jaw-bone still, unpurse those lips thatta boy. Let them feast their eyes. Really serious need of the newspaper for the latest Setya episode. The railway station was out; hopefully they would still have one at Gramedia at this late hour. Seems the car accident was indeed faked. Presumably the docs at that particular Emergency department could be relied upon to write up adequate notes for the Korupsi Kommisars on the poor man’s tail. A fave of Trumpet’s no surprise, wanted a cut at Freeport few years back and when he was caught on tape answered it was all a joke. The US interests must not have taken kindly. Still, unlikely they can lay a glove on him here if he spread the dosh around judiciously. Poor ol’ Jokowi like Barack can sing Dixie for all his earnest efforts. Good theatre watching that kinda insect squirming now and then for temporary relief if nothing else, can’t be easy on the ticker. Hopefully Gramedia not sold out.

NB. The recent head of the Corruption Commission here was photographed in Singapore a few days ago where he is receiving eye treatment after an acid attack. Not so funny.