Cengkareng, Sunday, 25 March 2007
So, today we have to fly to Bangkok. I met Fenica last night at the Plaza Semanggi. Frika introduced us while I was meeting Lette. I made contact with Rezer this morning on my way to the airport. She’s already there! She was trying to find Theresia, and in fact, she thought she saw someone who might be her but she didn’t had the guts to approach.
I’ m dropped at the Mac Donald’s, our meeting point. That’s where I set myself some fries and coke for breakfast. Then I rang Rezer again, telling her I was already there. Not long after, she came along with her family. She told me that Theresia might be inside but there was a man with her, so she doubted that the woman was Theresia. Fenica came later. She said Theresia called her at 5.30 AM, telling her that she was already at the Mac Donald’s! my goodness! I think we agreed to meet at 9 AM today! We were all trying to call Theresia but her cell phone couldn’t be reached. Until finally Fenica could reach her and told her that we are all waiting at the Mac Donald’s. We were all reliefed to know that she was coming over.
We decided to check in at 10.30 AM. So, we found ourselves walking along the departure hall, trying to find check in counter number 47 for Thai Airways. We walked until it comes to an end and then we realized that we mistaken the number. We should check the number that shows on the screen, but in fact, we looked at the number on the board! No wonder that we got lost so far! Finally, we found the right counter and queued. After checking in the luggage, we manage ourselves to have some coffee at the OhLaLa Café, while trying to get to know each other better.
We boarded ourselves at 12 noon. I sat on the plane with Theresia. I told her to try to get some sleep since she was hanging around the airport from 5.30 AM and she was not feeling very well. She had cold. Cough and runny nose. Thank God it was a direct flight, but the food was not so good. Emirates is still the best.
We landed safely at the Svarnabhumi Airport. We queued up for the entry permit and wait for the luggage for almost an hour! Then, we managed ourselves to get into the public taxi area down stairs and get a taxi to drop us at the Rembrandt Hotel at Sukhumvit Soi 18. It’s quite far from Sukhumvit Soi 3, where I stayed last time. But Rembrandt has a nicer neighbourhood, nicer building, nicer room. I hope the food also better here. I tried to get us stay on the same floor, just to ease the coordination between us. Too bad Ikha has not come because she had direct flight from Denpasar, so I doubt that she would stay on the same floor with the rest of us.
We rested for about 2 hours, then at 7 PM we all went out to get something to eat. We ate noodles. It was fair enough eventhough it wasn’t as good as the one I had on Nana Nua. Well, what more can you ask…? I mean, the hotel is nicer now, but you certainly have sacrifice something to get a better thing in your life. When I just got back to the hotel and entered my room, I met Lan, the translator from Vietnam. She was staying on the same floor as mine.
I heard that there was a riot in Bangkok towards the ex Prime Minister Takshin. He was accused of corruption from unpaid tax, but as usual, I didn’t see any threat of staying in Bangkok.
Bangkok, Monday, 26 March 2007
I met Maricon and Neri over breakfast. Also I met Princey and Susan. It’s good to see old friends around. Especially when there are not much of a chance to meet them everyday. We made fun to each other and really looked forward to the workshop. Oh, by the way, the breakfast here is marvelous!!!
The session went well today, but the room arrangement was not nice. It was round table, we actually prefer to sit on the floor like the previous one. But anyway, it was great. I almost couldn’t remember that I got bored.
This afternoon, during the tea break, Rachel told me that the lunch in this hotel is great. And I saw by the lunch time… it was really great! The variety, the taste, everything was incredible! Much much better than the previous hotel. Also the tea and coffee break. They provide at least 15 kinds of tea and the coffee is always freshly brewed for each person.
In the evening, we went out together for a dinner cruise at the Chao Phraya river. USAID had booked 1 boat for us to have dinner on. It was very crowded. Apparently, this dinner cruise is a favorite tourist attraction. The food was great and we sang and danced together. Maricon, Kiren, Susan and I were dancing like crazy! We sang to the karaoke and we didn’t even let the boat singer to sing! Not even a song! Hahaha! I sang “Copacabana”, Maricon sang several songs and Susan sang her own “I will survive” song. Then we all sing and dance to the song “YMCA”. I think our boat eventually turned to some sort of discotheque and everybody was dancing like crazy to the song “Dhoom Machale”, an Indian disco song that hits today. Susan even did the break dance! It was obvious that everyone on the boat needed a party. A good one!
We went back to the hotel at 10.30 PM and we all had so much fun that we were so worn out!
Bangkok, Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Today’s session was a bit deeper and more serious. But did ok. Rachel was not coming, she had a bad cold since the first day she got here. Poor Rachel. She missed the dinner cruise and she had to stay in the room today. Time flew away and suddenly it was over! We planned to go to Suan Lum Night Bazaar tonight because the place will be closed down next month, so this might be our last chance to visit the place. We arranged to go by MRT [subway] together with the Malaysians. So the group was Fenica, Rezer, Thesye, Ikha, Shanti, Shalina, Jamaliyah, Kiren and me. It’s good that everybody was agree to take the MRT because it’s much much cheaper and faster. No traffic jam, for sure.
We got off at the Lumphini station just by the night bazaar. We decided to split and meet again at 8 PM by the Rue de Paris ferris wheel. Everybody was shopping like crazy. I just bought a pair of sandals, silk Thai for my mom, a butterfly shirt and a pair of a very nice shoes for myself. Rezer was crazy. She shopped a lot! We went around the place until it was time to meet the Malaysians. After meeting them, we decided to had lunch at the center food court. We were exhausted and very hungry.
The Malaysians decided to went back to the hotel right away after dinner, while we were still looking for some things around. Finally, we went back to the hotel at around 10.30 PM by the MRT. Rezer was obviously worn out. She could hardly walk, but she looked pretty satisfied with the shopping. Thesye, Rezer and I went straight to the hotel, while Fenica, Shanti and Ikha stopped by the massage to have a Thai massage experience.
I entered my room exhaustedly and manage myself to soak in the hot tub with aromatherapy to calm myslef down. Today was really great, except for the sore feet!
Bangkok, Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Today’s session was a bit more serious. Rachel, Susan and I had a little chat over cigarette by the tea break. Rachel had to leave early tomorrow morning because she mis-booked the flight. She thought the workshop is ended today, but in fact it will be ended tomorrow. That’s a pity. Well, she got a bit bored anyway with the workshop because she’d done it already. In fact I also attended the similar workshop together with her last year! No wonder that I felt like I already knew some of the materials! Hahaha! Stupid me!
Susan wanted to have an open discussion over the last session because she felt it is important for all participants to share experience about what we had done for the women’s support groups in our country. Throughout the discussion, other country might can learn something from other country’s achievement. So, that was what happened next. We had an open discussion about the women’s support groups in our country. And I was so happy that what we had done in Indonesia had inspired other country to start something similar. Especially Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Phillipines. Princey was sharing the experience that in Lanka Plus, most of the members are women, so she was afraid that if she forms another support group for women only, that may raise a conflict, just like what happens in India. So, I suggested her, she doesn’t have to necessarily form a new support group for women in Sri Lanka, but she can develop some programs for women within Lanka Plus. Susan also agreed with me. It felt good when you find that you had given something meaningful to other people, eventhough it’s just a simple suggestion. Especially when some other people also agee with you. That kind of feelings can never be paid with any amount of money.
Today, we were going to MBK, together with the Malaysians again. We went together by the Sky Train. It was fun because, again, no one was complaining about taking the public transportation. It’s surely goes faster without traffic jam. I really love it! I bought 2 pairs of shoes there, a tie dye shirt for Adit and a cross necklace for Steven. The situation was funny, because we always splitted up into 2 groups all the time, but we always managed ourselves to reunite somewhere. Hahaha! Shanti was coming over later to have dinner together. We were all so worn out and hungry [again!]. at first, I was aiming for the delicious traditional cookies there which I don’t know the name! so I headed up to the upper floor with Fenca to buy them. The taste is always makes me want to come again and have it!
At 8.30 PM we decided to stop shopping and get something to eat. We took the Sky Train to Nana Nua to have something to eat. We ate at the noodle corner where Ikha and Shanti had. It was a nice spot. And some black guy had set his eyes on Thesye! Wow!! Not long after we finished our dinner, he came over to our table and try to make conversation with Thesye. Then, he started to interogating everyone on the table. I answered most of the time. I told him that everyone on our table was married, except Fenica, but she’s going to be married very soon. He was kind of freaked out a little bit. Then he told us that he was a marine. I snatched to him, asking how come he had a dread lock in his hair if he’s a marine. He should have a very short hair. He told us that it was only for the recruitment phase, after 3 to 5 years of working as a marine, it doesn’t matter anymore. Especially for black people like him. Yeah, right!!! We thought he was a phony. In fact, we were pretty sure that he was a phony. He said goodbye not long after.
After we finished our drinks, we decided to go back to the hotel by tuk-tuk. So, we approached to some tuk-tuk driver. I told him to drop us at “Sukhumvit Soi si peth”, it was 6 of us and he forced us into 1 tuk-tuk for THB 100. That was a very cheap price. In fact, on our way, he realized that he was mis-heard my instruction. He thought I asked him to drop us at Sukhumvit soi chi peth, Sukhumvit Soi 11. So, he was trying to get higher price. He agreed to have THB 120. He was driving like crazy! We screamed along the way, especially evertime he turned the tuk-tuk. I saw he was smiling everytime we screamed. I think he did it in purpose, to tease us. He was making a very sharp turn when entering the hotel and we were screaming like crazy. The doorgirl and the bellboy were laughing to see us that way. It was quite an experience for all of us. Scarry, but fun.
Bangkok, Thursday, March 29, 2007
Today is the last day of the workshop. I always got this funny feeling everytime we reached the last day of a workshop. Butterflies in my stomach. It’s just so sad that by the time we got along well with each other, know each other better, then it’s time to say goodbye to everyone. And we don’t know when are we going to meet again. I mean, there’s always chances, but we just never know when exactly. Rachel had gone this morning. Flew back to Singapore. The session went quite well in a serious way today. Indonesian group had made a smooth way in developing an action plan. We can consider our work was the best we done during the workshop. We’re quite proud of ourselves.
I’m glad that Indonesian participants are quite active during the workshop. It’s just nice to see people from different country who doesn’t speak the same language can be united in one room and share thoughts. There were no bburdens. The language burden has always been under control and being overcome with. I just miss the wild discussion we used to had during the workshop [among Indonesian participants]. During the exercise of developing an action plan, I was pushing myself to help others to understand how to do it. It wasn’t easy. I even couldn’t do it very well at the first place. And I’m not good in teaching or making people undestand the way I understand things. But I was so glad that everything went smoothly.
After the session was over, we took some pictures with some people. Everyone was definitely photo freaks! And then, Princey approached. Princey doesn’t speak English very well. In fact, she can hardly sepaking it, but she’s always trying her best. She asked me whether I will be going for ICAAP8 or not. I told her that I have submitted my abstract but I haven’t got any reply and I’m not sure that my recommendation letter was received on time before the closing date, since I had to mail it [it can took a month to deliver a mail to other country and sometimes the letter got lost on its way!]. She told me that she’s one of the committee for the event and she will try to invite me, not as a participant but as a speaker! That’s even better! I’d love to be a speaker rather than a participant. Well, who doesn’t??? I’m surely hoping so much and counting so much on her. I wish that will be my chance to widen my knowledge in HIV-AIDS area.
The day ended quite in an emotional way. Susan was crying. I’m sure if Rachel’s still here, she would’ve done the same thing. I tried so hard to manage myself not to cry. I mean, we will be meeting again somewhere, somewhen. Susan was giving out a koala keychain [as usual]. But those who happened to already have one from the previous workshop was not priority. Eventually, Susan found out that the quantity of the keychain was enough for all participants. But she dropped one of the koala into a glass of water, so it was all wet. And she was telling me, “Ratri, would you mind taking the wet one?” gosh!!! Well, I took it anyway. Hahahaha! One of thing that I loved most was the moment when we took our ‘mailbox’ and see how many messages that I got, from who and what had they said about me. Those small papers are very precious for me. I always keep them.
We left the hotel at 7 PM and headed to Patpong. I’ve never been there. I really want to see that
area. There are many of striptease bars over there. Hahahaha! So, the 6 of us took the Sky Train to Patpong through Sala Daeng station. We got off excitedly. Every tourist area in Bangkok are similar. But this one had a long line of sex show bars along the street. We took the liberty of take a peek to the bars while shopping on the street in front of the bars. Well, the girls were not moving in a hot way. They were just standing and make very little moves on the stage by the pole in bikini. Mostly in white bikinis. Maybe it’s because the UV lamps gives colour enhancement for white.
I bought a pair of sandals [again!], a Luis Vuitton bag and some souvenirs at the Naraya shop. Rezer also bought a bag. A nice one. Ikha and I were trying to bargain on butterfly buckled belt but the price was too high, so we didn’t buy it. After finished shopping [for the last time, since we will be leaving very early in the morning], we walked down the street and tried to find something to eat. Finally, we found a nice spot with various food choices. But we all had noodles. All this time, I kept taking pictures by myself. And Shanti now had already started to do the same thing. Hehehe! And she said it was all because of me! How dare she said that???
At 10 PM we went back to the hotel by Sky Train. We were so worn out and exhausted. Fenica, Ikha and I stopped by the salon to have some treatment. Fenica and Ikha had body massage [well, what else? Since they are massage freaks!] and I got my hair washed. I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to do it by myself in my room eventhough I don’t plan to go to sleep [I’m afraid I will get up late and miss the flight, so I’d rather sleep on the plane and at home back in Jakarta].
Our treatment finished at midnight. That was good enough, considering I’m not going to sleep tonight. We walked back to the hotel and I managed to soak myself in a hot tub. We will miss the full breakfast tomorrow morning. Oh, damn!
So, today we have to fly to Bangkok. I met Fenica last night at the Plaza Semanggi. Frika introduced us while I was meeting Lette. I made contact with Rezer this morning on my way to the airport. She’s already there! She was trying to find Theresia, and in fact, she thought she saw someone who might be her but she didn’t had the guts to approach.
I’ m dropped at the Mac Donald’s, our meeting point. That’s where I set myself some fries and coke for breakfast. Then I rang Rezer again, telling her I was already there. Not long after, she came along with her family. She told me that Theresia might be inside but there was a man with her, so she doubted that the woman was Theresia. Fenica came later. She said Theresia called her at 5.30 AM, telling her that she was already at the Mac Donald’s! my goodness! I think we agreed to meet at 9 AM today! We were all trying to call Theresia but her cell phone couldn’t be reached. Until finally Fenica could reach her and told her that we are all waiting at the Mac Donald’s. We were all reliefed to know that she was coming over.
We decided to check in at 10.30 AM. So, we found ourselves walking along the departure hall, trying to find check in counter number 47 for Thai Airways. We walked until it comes to an end and then we realized that we mistaken the number. We should check the number that shows on the screen, but in fact, we looked at the number on the board! No wonder that we got lost so far! Finally, we found the right counter and queued. After checking in the luggage, we manage ourselves to have some coffee at the OhLaLa Café, while trying to get to know each other better.
We boarded ourselves at 12 noon. I sat on the plane with Theresia. I told her to try to get some sleep since she was hanging around the airport from 5.30 AM and she was not feeling very well. She had cold. Cough and runny nose. Thank God it was a direct flight, but the food was not so good. Emirates is still the best.
We landed safely at the Svarnabhumi Airport. We queued up for the entry permit and wait for the luggage for almost an hour! Then, we managed ourselves to get into the public taxi area down stairs and get a taxi to drop us at the Rembrandt Hotel at Sukhumvit Soi 18. It’s quite far from Sukhumvit Soi 3, where I stayed last time. But Rembrandt has a nicer neighbourhood, nicer building, nicer room. I hope the food also better here. I tried to get us stay on the same floor, just to ease the coordination between us. Too bad Ikha has not come because she had direct flight from Denpasar, so I doubt that she would stay on the same floor with the rest of us.
We rested for about 2 hours, then at 7 PM we all went out to get something to eat. We ate noodles. It was fair enough eventhough it wasn’t as good as the one I had on Nana Nua. Well, what more can you ask…? I mean, the hotel is nicer now, but you certainly have sacrifice something to get a better thing in your life. When I just got back to the hotel and entered my room, I met Lan, the translator from Vietnam. She was staying on the same floor as mine.
I heard that there was a riot in Bangkok towards the ex Prime Minister Takshin. He was accused of corruption from unpaid tax, but as usual, I didn’t see any threat of staying in Bangkok.
Bangkok, Monday, 26 March 2007
I met Maricon and Neri over breakfast. Also I met Princey and Susan. It’s good to see old friends around. Especially when there are not much of a chance to meet them everyday. We made fun to each other and really looked forward to the workshop. Oh, by the way, the breakfast here is marvelous!!!
The session went well today, but the room arrangement was not nice. It was round table, we actually prefer to sit on the floor like the previous one. But anyway, it was great. I almost couldn’t remember that I got bored.
This afternoon, during the tea break, Rachel told me that the lunch in this hotel is great. And I saw by the lunch time… it was really great! The variety, the taste, everything was incredible! Much much better than the previous hotel. Also the tea and coffee break. They provide at least 15 kinds of tea and the coffee is always freshly brewed for each person.
In the evening, we went out together for a dinner cruise at the Chao Phraya river. USAID had booked 1 boat for us to have dinner on. It was very crowded. Apparently, this dinner cruise is a favorite tourist attraction. The food was great and we sang and danced together. Maricon, Kiren, Susan and I were dancing like crazy! We sang to the karaoke and we didn’t even let the boat singer to sing! Not even a song! Hahaha! I sang “Copacabana”, Maricon sang several songs and Susan sang her own “I will survive” song. Then we all sing and dance to the song “YMCA”. I think our boat eventually turned to some sort of discotheque and everybody was dancing like crazy to the song “Dhoom Machale”, an Indian disco song that hits today. Susan even did the break dance! It was obvious that everyone on the boat needed a party. A good one!We went back to the hotel at 10.30 PM and we all had so much fun that we were so worn out!
Bangkok, Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Today’s session was a bit deeper and more serious. But did ok. Rachel was not coming, she had a bad cold since the first day she got here. Poor Rachel. She missed the dinner cruise and she had to stay in the room today. Time flew away and suddenly it was over! We planned to go to Suan Lum Night Bazaar tonight because the place will be closed down next month, so this might be our last chance to visit the place. We arranged to go by MRT [subway] together with the Malaysians. So the group was Fenica, Rezer, Thesye, Ikha, Shanti, Shalina, Jamaliyah, Kiren and me. It’s good that everybody was agree to take the MRT because it’s much much cheaper and faster. No traffic jam, for sure.We got off at the Lumphini station just by the night bazaar. We decided to split and meet again at 8 PM by the Rue de Paris ferris wheel. Everybody was shopping like crazy. I just bought a pair of sandals, silk Thai for my mom, a butterfly shirt and a pair of a very nice shoes for myself. Rezer was crazy. She shopped a lot! We went around the place until it was time to meet the Malaysians. After meeting them, we decided to had lunch at the center food court. We were exhausted and very hungry.
The Malaysians decided to went back to the hotel right away after dinner, while we were still looking for some things around. Finally, we went back to the hotel at around 10.30 PM by the MRT. Rezer was obviously worn out. She could hardly walk, but she looked pretty satisfied with the shopping. Thesye, Rezer and I went straight to the hotel, while Fenica, Shanti and Ikha stopped by the massage to have a Thai massage experience.
I entered my room exhaustedly and manage myself to soak in the hot tub with aromatherapy to calm myslef down. Today was really great, except for the sore feet!
Bangkok, Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Today’s session was a bit more serious. Rachel, Susan and I had a little chat over cigarette by the tea break. Rachel had to leave early tomorrow morning because she mis-booked the flight. She thought the workshop is ended today, but in fact it will be ended tomorrow. That’s a pity. Well, she got a bit bored anyway with the workshop because she’d done it already. In fact I also attended the similar workshop together with her last year! No wonder that I felt like I already knew some of the materials! Hahaha! Stupid me!
Susan wanted to have an open discussion over the last session because she felt it is important for all participants to share experience about what we had done for the women’s support groups in our country. Throughout the discussion, other country might can learn something from other country’s achievement. So, that was what happened next. We had an open discussion about the women’s support groups in our country. And I was so happy that what we had done in Indonesia had inspired other country to start something similar. Especially Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Phillipines. Princey was sharing the experience that in Lanka Plus, most of the members are women, so she was afraid that if she forms another support group for women only, that may raise a conflict, just like what happens in India. So, I suggested her, she doesn’t have to necessarily form a new support group for women in Sri Lanka, but she can develop some programs for women within Lanka Plus. Susan also agreed with me. It felt good when you find that you had given something meaningful to other people, eventhough it’s just a simple suggestion. Especially when some other people also agee with you. That kind of feelings can never be paid with any amount of money.
Today, we were going to MBK, together with the Malaysians again. We went together by the Sky Train. It was fun because, again, no one was complaining about taking the public transportation. It’s surely goes faster without traffic jam. I really love it! I bought 2 pairs of shoes there, a tie dye shirt for Adit and a cross necklace for Steven. The situation was funny, because we always splitted up into 2 groups all the time, but we always managed ourselves to reunite somewhere. Hahaha! Shanti was coming over later to have dinner together. We were all so worn out and hungry [again!]. at first, I was aiming for the delicious traditional cookies there which I don’t know the name! so I headed up to the upper floor with Fenca to buy them. The taste is always makes me want to come again and have it!
At 8.30 PM we decided to stop shopping and get something to eat. We took the Sky Train to Nana Nua to have something to eat. We ate at the noodle corner where Ikha and Shanti had. It was a nice spot. And some black guy had set his eyes on Thesye! Wow!! Not long after we finished our dinner, he came over to our table and try to make conversation with Thesye. Then, he started to interogating everyone on the table. I answered most of the time. I told him that everyone on our table was married, except Fenica, but she’s going to be married very soon. He was kind of freaked out a little bit. Then he told us that he was a marine. I snatched to him, asking how come he had a dread lock in his hair if he’s a marine. He should have a very short hair. He told us that it was only for the recruitment phase, after 3 to 5 years of working as a marine, it doesn’t matter anymore. Especially for black people like him. Yeah, right!!! We thought he was a phony. In fact, we were pretty sure that he was a phony. He said goodbye not long after.
After we finished our drinks, we decided to go back to the hotel by tuk-tuk. So, we approached to some tuk-tuk driver. I told him to drop us at “Sukhumvit Soi si peth”, it was 6 of us and he forced us into 1 tuk-tuk for THB 100. That was a very cheap price. In fact, on our way, he realized that he was mis-heard my instruction. He thought I asked him to drop us at Sukhumvit soi chi peth, Sukhumvit Soi 11. So, he was trying to get higher price. He agreed to have THB 120. He was driving like crazy! We screamed along the way, especially evertime he turned the tuk-tuk. I saw he was smiling everytime we screamed. I think he did it in purpose, to tease us. He was making a very sharp turn when entering the hotel and we were screaming like crazy. The doorgirl and the bellboy were laughing to see us that way. It was quite an experience for all of us. Scarry, but fun.
Bangkok, Thursday, March 29, 2007
Today is the last day of the workshop. I always got this funny feeling everytime we reached the last day of a workshop. Butterflies in my stomach. It’s just so sad that by the time we got along well with each other, know each other better, then it’s time to say goodbye to everyone. And we don’t know when are we going to meet again. I mean, there’s always chances, but we just never know when exactly. Rachel had gone this morning. Flew back to Singapore. The session went quite well in a serious way today. Indonesian group had made a smooth way in developing an action plan. We can consider our work was the best we done during the workshop. We’re quite proud of ourselves.
I’m glad that Indonesian participants are quite active during the workshop. It’s just nice to see people from different country who doesn’t speak the same language can be united in one room and share thoughts. There were no bburdens. The language burden has always been under control and being overcome with. I just miss the wild discussion we used to had during the workshop [among Indonesian participants]. During the exercise of developing an action plan, I was pushing myself to help others to understand how to do it. It wasn’t easy. I even couldn’t do it very well at the first place. And I’m not good in teaching or making people undestand the way I understand things. But I was so glad that everything went smoothly.
After the session was over, we took some pictures with some people. Everyone was definitely photo freaks! And then, Princey approached. Princey doesn’t speak English very well. In fact, she can hardly sepaking it, but she’s always trying her best. She asked me whether I will be going for ICAAP8 or not. I told her that I have submitted my abstract but I haven’t got any reply and I’m not sure that my recommendation letter was received on time before the closing date, since I had to mail it [it can took a month to deliver a mail to other country and sometimes the letter got lost on its way!]. She told me that she’s one of the committee for the event and she will try to invite me, not as a participant but as a speaker! That’s even better! I’d love to be a speaker rather than a participant. Well, who doesn’t??? I’m surely hoping so much and counting so much on her. I wish that will be my chance to widen my knowledge in HIV-AIDS area.
The day ended quite in an emotional way. Susan was crying. I’m sure if Rachel’s still here, she would’ve done the same thing. I tried so hard to manage myself not to cry. I mean, we will be meeting again somewhere, somewhen. Susan was giving out a koala keychain [as usual]. But those who happened to already have one from the previous workshop was not priority. Eventually, Susan found out that the quantity of the keychain was enough for all participants. But she dropped one of the koala into a glass of water, so it was all wet. And she was telling me, “Ratri, would you mind taking the wet one?” gosh!!! Well, I took it anyway. Hahahaha! One of thing that I loved most was the moment when we took our ‘mailbox’ and see how many messages that I got, from who and what had they said about me. Those small papers are very precious for me. I always keep them.
We left the hotel at 7 PM and headed to Patpong. I’ve never been there. I really want to see that
area. There are many of striptease bars over there. Hahahaha! So, the 6 of us took the Sky Train to Patpong through Sala Daeng station. We got off excitedly. Every tourist area in Bangkok are similar. But this one had a long line of sex show bars along the street. We took the liberty of take a peek to the bars while shopping on the street in front of the bars. Well, the girls were not moving in a hot way. They were just standing and make very little moves on the stage by the pole in bikini. Mostly in white bikinis. Maybe it’s because the UV lamps gives colour enhancement for white.I bought a pair of sandals [again!], a Luis Vuitton bag and some souvenirs at the Naraya shop. Rezer also bought a bag. A nice one. Ikha and I were trying to bargain on butterfly buckled belt but the price was too high, so we didn’t buy it. After finished shopping [for the last time, since we will be leaving very early in the morning], we walked down the street and tried to find something to eat. Finally, we found a nice spot with various food choices. But we all had noodles. All this time, I kept taking pictures by myself. And Shanti now had already started to do the same thing. Hehehe! And she said it was all because of me! How dare she said that???
At 10 PM we went back to the hotel by Sky Train. We were so worn out and exhausted. Fenica, Ikha and I stopped by the salon to have some treatment. Fenica and Ikha had body massage [well, what else? Since they are massage freaks!] and I got my hair washed. I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to do it by myself in my room eventhough I don’t plan to go to sleep [I’m afraid I will get up late and miss the flight, so I’d rather sleep on the plane and at home back in Jakarta].
Our treatment finished at midnight. That was good enough, considering I’m not going to sleep tonight. We walked back to the hotel and I managed to soak myself in a hot tub. We will miss the full breakfast tomorrow morning. Oh, damn!
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