Sunday 18 October 2009

more earth quakes in Jakarta

Last friday I was in a meeting "at the second floor", and suddenly there it was again. Windowblinds moving, floor feels wobbly..sounds like yup another earthquake.

During the last earthquake it remained silence in the building I was in. Silent as in no announcements, no alarms whatsoever. This time around there were announcements and alarms went off quite fast, signaling people to make a move and evacuate the building.

I decided to take a nice spot in the middle of the road opposite my building. The official meeting point is in the centre square of the building...blocking emergency service access...and standing in bulls-eye position for falling debris.

Interestingly enough my wife was less than 500m away in Pacific Place in Jakarta enjoying a nice cup of coffee and nothing happened there. I send her an sms that we were vacating the building. So her next step was to ask a waitress why people are not evacuating as there was a quake. Her answer was.. hmm sorry miss I don't know. I did think I imagined the earthquake because of my headache.....

Well, it looks like this one didn't do too much damage like the last 2.

Saturday 3 October 2009

BATIK

Thursday evening rushing out to Pasaray close to Blok M in Jakarta Selatan.

Objective: buy a batik shirt-> as on Friday everyone would be wearing batik, on government request.

October the 2nd would be day UNESCO was official naming BATIK as cultural heritage. Although there have been many claims around the region, Indonesia seems to be the holder of the origin of Batik.

Batik , originally coming from the island of Java is technique for dyeing fabric using 3 basic colors being indigo, dark brown and white. Interestingly enough the 3 was linked to 3 Hindu Gods. Which then goes back to the religion on Java in those times.

Different patterns had different purposes and meanings. Certain patterns were worn by the man on the street whilst others were for nobles.

Anyway, even those days Batik still has an important place in the society and is worn during important and less important moments.