This morning we went to Brahma Tirta, an art studio I had, after some really vigorous sleuthing, as the place where a batik wall hanging originated. I had seen this wall hanging in a shop in Bali, lusted after it, but then said nothing as I was not in the market for wall hangings. When we recommended the shop to the GF’s friend he spotted the wall hanging and immediately bought it. When I saw it, how I regretted not buying it. But now, at the mother lode, we bought one and it’s a beautiful blue silk, far too long for our flat but so lovely. Then a quick lunch and off to the airport which took a hellishly long time. Arrived to find that the immigration counters were shut as the immigration officers were MIA. Fortunately it didn’t matter (other than the discomfort and anxiety) as the flight was delayed anyway. But here we are in KL again.
Jogja was an exemplar of population growth and economic activity outpacing infrastructure. The airport particularly, which was clearly designed for a couple of flights a day and certainly nothing international. The result was a traffic jam at the entrance, with police frantically waving flags to manage the flow of cars and determine which lane could move when and shared departure lounges for international and domestic flights with a perfunctory screen set up for immigration and to corral away international travellers after immigration.
Speaking of screens, I am thinking how to turn the animal batik into a standing screen.