The Jakarta Nightlife (And Daylife for that matter)

Well, I finally got a weekend where I was not fixing up the house or getting everything unpacked, so Kiky and I went off to the city for a night on the town. I wasn't really sure what to expect, seeing as I have only heard of what Jakarta has to offer, but never seen anything on the subject. After a 30 minute taxi ride, we were as downtown as you can be in Jakarta. The city is actually quite nice looking and built up along Jalan Sudirman, the main throughfare. I guess that it should look opulent somewhere as it is one of the world's biggest cities. We spent some time hanging out in Plaza Indonesia, a shopping mall which is quite the opposite of anything Indonesian. High prices, sterile environment, even English book shops. I don't really think I will be heading there very often. The drinks alone cost a pricey 15 buckaroos (150000 of the Rupes!). Our clubbing experience for the night was provided by a club called Vertigo. The club itself was very stylish and sleek. The music was mediocre and the drinks were really expensive. No wonder everybody thinks people in Jakarta are materialistic... if they buy drinks at these prices then for sure they must make enough to buy new clothes everyday! Anyways, after a quick close down at 2:00 am we headed out to Starbucks, as it is quite possibly the only thing open in this city 24 hours. We were all baffled when they closed the club so early, but the police have been raiding clubs forcing them to close down on time... it is all part of this new vie for power since the police lost the right to crack down on the legal gambling facilities or something along that line. The coffee shop was freezing, most likely in order to prevent bums like ourselves from falling asleep in their en lieu of getting a hotel. Or could it be a mad american plot to avert global warming by cranking the AC?!? This theory could be going somewhere, just look at Texas as proof! Anyways, we returned in less style then going out... using the public buses. Surprisingly it was pretty fast and not so uncomfy. I am sure we will be travelling more using the bus system after this pleasant experience. I guess I have yet to write about my new job so much... I will most definately do this when I get a chance sometime in the week, but for the moment I am feeling a little lazy (well, maybe really tired is a more accurate way of putting it... I have only had a couple hours sleep from the exploits mentioned above).