The Indo government refers to hotel quarantine as the Repatriate Program, perhaps in an effort to make it sound less painful. However, the term had never been used elsewhere, not when I tried to book the limited hotel room after panic-buying the ticket for my temporary repatriation to Jakarta.
But that’s not a surprise.
I flew in earlier today with a number of expectations for my hotel quarantine. The hotel has a decent Wi-Fi connection, good amenities, and a view – it’s the Ritz Carlton, after all. I justified paying for this fancy hotel, thinking if I were to be holed up, the hotel room choice would matter immensely to ensure I don’t lose my mind.
Also, it’s the month-end week at work, a hectic week—a nice hotel room would do me good.
What I didn’t expect was the view from the vast window. I could see a chunk of South Jakarta, and if I tilted my head in a weird way, I could locate my parents’ neighbourhood.
I am so used to staying in a budget hotel that this felt like a treat, leaving it open for the whole day and night visit to enjoy the city skyline, one of my favourite things in the world.
Also, and this might be due to my extremely limited experience growing up in Jakarta, but I didn’t know we could see mountains from Jakarta.
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Here are the things I ate on my first day of Quarantine:-
Jakarta Quarantine Diary Day 1 Menu
Breakfast – Bubur Ayam, Shredded Chicken, Leek, Fried Shallot, Soya Bean, Cakwe, Chilli, Crackers, Danish and Soft Bread Roll, Yoghurt, Guava Juice and Aqua
Lunch – Ayam Bumbu Bali, Steam Rice, Sautee Vegetables, Mixed Salad, Chilli Sauce, Whole Pear, Hard Bread Roll and Aqua
Dinner – Snapper Bumbu Padang, Steam Rice, Sautee Broccoli, Chili Sauce, Samosa, Hard Bread Roll, OJ, Apple and Aqua
Supper – Mushroom Soup and Iced Latte
It was 9:13 PM, and my dinner was at 6 PM.
I was kinda full but there was this lingering feeling of indulgence.
I mean, I just arrived today. The rest of the week will be summed up with work. If not now, then when else? Also, the last meal was quite stressful (yet satisfying).
I picked up the phone and ordered mushroom soup, which had never been a comfort food ever, nor could I associate it with my old life in Jakarta.
I thought of buying a glass bottle of wine, but good God, it’s ten times higher than what I used to pay in Melbourne, so I settled for a comforting cup of latte with a side of vanilla syrup.
It’s going to be a long first night.
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