Love of your life

It is difficult to believe that before the end of the year a blatant advertisement should appear in The Jakarta Post, especially given the banning of New Year's Eve parties. But then came the Gran Melia Jakarta, which I normally like to frequent, with its advertisement offering a romantic 24 hours in their hotel for US$10,000 by asking the stupid question whether the love of our lives was worth that amount.

I don't know on what planet the Gran Melia people live but quite recently this country experienced the "ridiculously" low price of US$10 for a limousine pick up, a grand welcoming at the hotel entrance (what else can this entail than shaking people's hands?), and having a string quartet play only for you and your loved one in the cozy atmosphere of a 1,700 square meter ballroom (sounds pretty lonely). How can this increase from Rp 25 million which is already ridiculous, to more than Rp 50 million, not forgetting the added tax.

Either the advertisement contained a severe printing error or some elements in this society have become even sicker than one would believe considering the problems we are facing at this point in time.

Happy New Year to all, even if you celebrate at home alone or with your loved ones, which could save you a lot of money.

ROLAND WOEHRLE

Jakarta