Destination: Palembang

I left for Changi Airport only to get to a delayed plane. Such a downer. In addition, Lion Air (my airline for the day) is to Singapore Air as a midget is to a real human being – just not good enough. I was supposed to have two hours at Soekarno-Hatta Airport (Jakarta) but it turned out to be only 45 minutes. Before I continue however, there is something I need to get out of the way.

To all the architects, planners and builders of the world: Please, do not EVER, in ANY circumstance look to Jakarta airport as an example for ANYTHING. Forget that it hardly has any A/C, it is crazy busy and really dirty. I can live with that. No, my real problem lies with the fact that they planted the terminals on all different sides of this massive stretch of land and fucking dared to call it all a single entity. You don’t see me going around saying Boston and New York are the same city, do you?

Ok, that was enough ranting. Back to the story.

I arrived at the International Terminal and had to get to the Domestic Terminal within I arrived at the International Terminal and had to get to the Domestic Terminal within I arrived at the International Terminal and had to get to the Domestic Terminal within 45 minutes. Lucky for me, the elderly couple I sat next to on the plane helped me get there – I would’ve missed my connecting flight if it weren’t for them. Terima kasih!

Anyway, the drama wasn’t over quite yet. I was in a hurry, in the 35 degree heat with too many and too heavy bags. I finally got to the final security check and they sent me back to pay airport taxes. Guess who didn’t have any Indonesian money yet?

I ran back outside, found an ATM which, of course, had a line waiting. I wasn’t about to miss my flight, so first I went through the repertoire of tapping my foot, demonstratively looking at my watch et cetera. That didn’t do the trick so, sweaty as hell and with a look in my eyes that can only be compared to that of a mad man, I uttered a semi-random string of words: “must make flight… airport tax… no money…please!” Naturally, they didn’t understand a word I said but they sure as hell got out of my way. Score!

Then I ran upstairs again and arrived at security less than 5 minutes before departure time. I passed that lame excuse for security in no time only to find out they hadn’t even finished boarding the plane before mine.

Looking back at this tale, I realize mistakes were made. However, none were mine. And, Jakarta is the main gateway out of Palembang so my already complicated relationship with Jakarta Airport will most likely continue.

Once I got to Palembang though, it was smooth sailing. Tom and Eddie the driver picked me up, took me by the school where I met the owner Ceclia and then dropped me off at the house to settle in. I met my colleagues/housemates/new family and at night Tom’s girlfriend Rita took us all out for dinner because it was her birthday. Good stuff! After dinner we went shopping and I got my first supplies but I almost went fetal in the middle of the store because I really did not know what to buy. Not my finest moment.

But: I am still here, bitches!