Tea bag lament

I write about the sad demise of the Sari Wangi billboard situated at the point where Jl. Thamrin joins Jl. Sudirman. You may ask how anyone can have feelings for an advertisement. I am sure, however, that many of your readers will have fond memories of the giant mechanical hand dipping the Sari Wangi tea-bag into the world's largest cup.

While Jakarta has undergone dramatic change, the slow rhythmic movement of the giant hand provided a sense of continuity to my drive to work each morning. About two years ago I was shocked to see that the hand had been badly burnt after its motor had caught fire. It was, however, quickly renovated. Peace of mind was restored in the same way that a freshly brewed cup of tea can soothe tangled nerves.

In recent months the action of the hand had become sporadic, perhaps anticipating its fate. What has become of the hand now? Is it detached from the friendly tea-bag? My cup of sorrow overflows and I appeal to PT Sari Wangi for information. I hope other readers share my concern.

WILLIAM KEELING

Jakarta