Jakarta ranks as one of the worst cities for traffic in the world. No joke. With an estimated 25 million people, no metro or subway, few sidewalks, and even fewer highways, that means a lot of vehicles on the road. When it rains, the traffic is ten times worse, so a 5 km journey goes from 20 minutes to an hour. Yes, you read that correctly. It can take an hour or more to go 5 km (roughly 2.2 miles). Now you see why I use Go-Jek for delivery so much.
Anyhow, tonight I had plans to meet my boss and his wife, along with a colleague who is in town, for dinner in Kemang, a trendy area in South Jakarta. After a busy day at IKEA, I dozed off on the couch this afternoon, lulled to sleep by the steady rain outside my window. When I awoke, I only had 30 minutes before I was meant to meet them. Thirty minutes to get somewhere in Jakarta is not very long, so I was a bit worried I’d be late. After changing, I realized the rain had momentarily stopped, although the sky was still grey and ominous. If I get a taxi now, I’ll for sure be at least half an hour late. I’ll have to Go-Jek it. But that means there’s a high chance I’ll be stuck in the rain on the back of the bike.
With little choice, I decided to order a Go-Jek and take my chances, knowing that even then I was going to be late. Having been caught in the rain on a Go-Jek in the past, I knew I had to come prepared. I quickly changed out of the clothes I intended to wear for dinner, opting for a pair of running shorts, a singlet, and a rain jacket. Stuffing my dinner clothes, a hand towel, and extra pair of undies in my purse, I was ready to go. You might be wondering why the extra undies. Well, one time I got stuck in the rain during a torrential downpour and I was soaked right through to my knickers. I wasn’t going to risk it tonight!
Hopping on the back of the bike, it had started to drizzle again. About 5 minutes later, the rain started coming down in sheets. At this point, I was unhappy with my footwear choice as my shoes became soggy. Oh well, I’ll have to live with it. As we wove through the cars lined up at the traffic lights, I was glad I’d gone with the Go-Jek instead of the taxi. I may be wet, but at least I’ll get there at a reasonable time. Pulling into the parking lot, I made my way through the winding hallways to the inside of the mall.
Dripping wet from the ride, I thanked myself for packing dry clothes. I slipped into the restroom to quickly change before dinner. The line for the toilets was so long! I’m not waiting in that line. Sneaking over to a corner near the sinks, I toweled off my legs before removing my rain jacket and pulling my shirt over my singlet, then as quickly as possible, I changed my shorts. If anyone even noticed the bule (foreigner) in the corner changing her clothes, they didn’t bat an eye. Luckily I wasn’t soaked through and still had dry undies. I’m a risk-taker, but not that much of a risk-taker! Dry, apart from my squishy shoes, I made my way to the restaurant where I enjoyed a delicious Thai dinner.
haha! not that much of a risk-taker! Gotta love Go-jek 🙂 Love the photos!
Thanks Caoimhe! 🙂 Would you have changed in the bathroom like I did at Kemang Village? haha
You showed again that there is no such thing as bad weather when you have proper clothing. Quick thinking. Funny pictures.
Thanks Terje!
Your adventures make me smile…as do your accompanying photos. You do such a great job of describing this slice of your day. I feel like I know you a bit better by knowing you aren’t afraid to carry extra undies!
hahaha…”I feel like I know you a bit better by knowing you aren’t afraid to carry extra undies!” That made me laugh!
Love it! Sounds like it was quite the adventure!! Glad it all worked out and your dinner was yummy!
What an adventure! Glad you were prepared though and able to make it on time. Enjoyed taking the journey to dinner with you! Loved the pictures!
Thanks…the pics were silly!
I love the photos that go with this post and I love your quick thinking. Glad you made it safe and semi-dry.
Thanks…photos speak a thousand words, don’t they? 😉
I love your adventure, it is truly amazing! Glad you made it there and am so jealous of your dinner!!
Thai food is my favorite!!
You are a true adventurer in my book. Rain storms braved on the back of motorcycle in Jakarta traffic outdoes a little snow bump here and there any day.
No, the snow is definitely more adventurous! 🙂
You do know how to make an entrance! I think people in other countries are never fazed by what the Americans will do. Hope you have a drier day.
This is true! We get a pass for sure. So far today’s beautiful and sunny!
It’s lucky that your purse did not get soaked through too! I kept expecting you to say that your dry clothes were all soaked and you just had to squish and squelch into dinner with your boss!
Oh I am so glad that didn’t happen! I purposely took a leather purse for that reason. The leather and my attempts to shield it behind the driver helped keep the contents dry!
As if you changed in the bathroom! I love it. That is so funny! I am glad you made it there safely!
Yep…I sure did (as quick as a fox!). Me too!