Banjir

For the last few days I have received enormous sms and emails asking the same things. “Are you and your family fine?”, “Do you have sufficient water and food?” and “Don’t go out!”. So today I decided to send an email to many friends and relatives telling them that we’re fine, even though I cannot go to my mum’s place. The roads are blocked.

I am pretty lucky living in Menteng, an old fancy neighbourhood near by former President’s residence and presidential palace. Somehow it is amazing to see how this neighbourhood for centuries is saved from flood while Jakarta has been prone to flood since 17^th century. This neighbourhood used to be fancy Dutch neighbourhood, so the Dutch built excellent drainage in this area.

It is also amazing to realize how I still can enjoy my comfy bed hugging my goofy while hundred thousand people are homeless and awaiting to be evacuated. The way how amazing it is that I can chat (the internet connection at my place just works again) with my friends from different part of the earth while 60% of electricity supply has been cut to avoid further harm. My geek says that Menteng must be the safest place to live, Indonesia’s former king, who’s pretty old now (I don’t need to be politically correct for him), must be afraid of the darkness, and it won’t be cool if there is power cut in Istana Kepresidenan.

While hundred thousand people flee for their houses, a friend replied my sms when I asked whether or not she’s fine. She told me that she just baked brownies with 3 layers of strawberry filling, she dipped those strawberries in vodka and sugar, must be yummy. Another friend replied me that he was having roasted New Zealand lamb. While my brothers and sisters are busy cleaning up their houses, some other brothers and sisters are busy with their convenient lives.

Still, for how long this safe heaven is safe? There are times when all is nothing and nothing is all.