An afternoon at Plaza Indonesia
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
Sitting on the floor between shelves of books, a couple of young people pored over a thick tome. They slowly turned the pages, engrossed in what they were reading.
Not far away, a young woman looked over a shelf of books while sipping a coffee from Starbucks. The woman, Lia, 20, is a student at Parahyangan University in Bandung, West Java.
"I came here with my friends. I just arrived from Bandung," she told The Jakarta Post at the Times bookstore in Plaza Indonesia on Tuesday.
Lia said this was not her first visit to Plaza Indonesia, which she always makes time to visit when in Jakarta.
"I also plan to watch a movie at eX. I haven't been there since it opened," Lia said, referring to the uniquely designed entertainment center adjacent to the shopping center. eX opened in February 2004.
That Tuesday afternoon, people from all different backgrounds and professions visited Plaza Indonesia, on a specific chore or simply to browse.
A group of teenagers talked with an employee at a cellular phone outlet on the ground floor. A couple and their two children enjoyed a meal at a fast-food restaurant.
Employees from nearby office buildings lined up to pay for their goodies at the popular Bread Talk outlet.
A group of trendily dressed girls came out of a clothes store and strolled to the eX entertainment center.
Another visitor, Ali Imron, 29, said he came to Plaza Indonesia because the shopping center had everything you needed. Like a sociologist, Ali said the mall had become a "playground" for Jakartans, at least the wealthy ones.
"I only come here to look around and sometimes to buy underwear or bath soap. For shirts, I go somewhere cheaper," he said.
Ali is absolutely right. Plaza Indonesia is a favorite haunt for wealthy Jakartans looking for the best and latest products to meet their lifestyle needs. And to mark its 15th anniversary, Plaza Indonesia is giving customers who make a purchase from March 10 to April 10 the chance to win a Volvo S60 sedan in a lucky draw.
For any purchase of at least Rp 500,000 (US$53), customers will receive a coupon for the lucky draw. The winner will be announced on April 18.
People come to Plaza Indonesia for a variety of purposes. Some want to buy a book at Aksara, Periplus, Times or Kinokuniya, or go clothes shopping at any number of outlets, or simply to enjoy a cup of coffee and a chat with colleagues at one of the numerous cafes in the mall.
Others come to watch a movie, buy a CD or work out at Celebrity Fitness. The 2,400-square-meter gym boasts 175 fitness equipment items. If you sign up now, you will receive a discount membership fee. The fee will be increased starting April 1.
The prominence of Plaza Indonesia was evident during the celebration of its anniversary on Tuesday evening.
The voice of MC Tantowi Yahya echoed as he greeted guests attending an anniversary party at La Moda Cafe.
About 300 invited guests -- ambassadors, celebrities, tenants and business partners -- enjoyed a musical performance and model parade during the party.
Sitting in the corner of a fast-food restaurant, I remembered something Ali Imron had told me.
For the wealthy, Plaza Indonesia makes dreams come true. For the rest, Plaza Indonesia is just a place to buy underwear.