Last Saturday, I went with Mom, my best friend Ana, and her niece Ceska. We parked in the all-new parking Senayan lot and got a free shuttle-ride to the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) building. It was my first time visit to the complex again since Bon Jovi's tour in 2015. The sporting area has got a huge renovation for next August's Asian Games 2018 preparation and I was happy to see the improvement everywhere in the block.
 |
| the theme this year is Batak's Gorga |
So we arrived at around 5 p.m. and filled in some forms to get our pass. A group of band performed to welcome us at the entrance, and as we walk in we get to see pottery and puppetry on the left side. I was amazed to see how beautiful they make exhibition displays of Indonesia's handwoven from different provinces on the right side. I love just how they show Indonesia's rich culture as an introduction at this lobby.
 |
| a little introduction to Indonesia's handicrafts |
 |
| Indonesian pottery |
This was the second year for PT. Telkom to exhibit this Telkom Craft Indonesia, which displays 200 of selected small businesses (UKM) from over 130,000 businesses they (and other State-owned Enterprises) have coached in 514 regencies in Indonesia. The selection is done in tight curation by the director's wife so they have to compete in quality to get into this event. It is similar to Ina Craft or BeKraf Festival, only the brands are limited.
 |
| the handwoven textiles from Sumatra has gold or silver threads |
 |
| Tenun, Indonesian handwoven textiles |
So all of the booths here are prepared only for the coached businesses, as part of the company's social responsibility program (CSR). Their products are sold on blanja.com, and the payments are made with T-Cash. I think it's just so cool that a company can do such CSR like this, to help small businesses to improve, grow, and expand their wings. And I just love to see how well they (well, most of them) designed their packaging. Totally dope!
 |
| Wayang Golek or Indonesian 3D/doll puppet |
 |
| Lady Ong Tin and Betawi dancer |
 |
| the lobby entrance |
Entering the Hall A, there were at least 80 booths of handcrafts and fashion from all over the country. It took us at least an hour to stroll through that hall but at 6 p.m. we got hungry so we proceed to the food court. Meanwhile, we had Once Mekel sing in the background, but we didn't have time to see his performance. Still, I love his voice and the songs.
 |
| Look at those handicrafts! |
After dinner, we continued to stroll around in Hall B and found even more gorgeous stuff there. I got a black/grey canvas two-way tote/messenger bag from Toean Batik. I don't really like the strap handle, but I can always modify it. Let's see what I'm gonna do with it. And my mom got this super awesome handwoven textile from Soe Village, Timor, NTT, which I adore and is now hanging on the wall of our living room.
 |
| beautiful handwoven textile from Soe, NTT - I'm in love! |
 |
| two-way tote/messenger bag - isn't it cool? |
 |
| I always love canvas bags, and I know you can tell! |
The expo closed at 9 p.m. but we haven't really seen them all. We had to hurry on our way back, but still missed some booths that were closing. It was a tiring, cold night for all of us so we had a stop at McD in Taman Alfa Indah, and had some meal there. I dunno why fast food is always soothing for late night supper. LOL. It was almost midnight when we got home.
 |
| on shuttle bus |
 |
| late night supper with Happy Meal |
On the next day my Mom wasn't satisfied with our incomplete visit to the expo, so we did it again on Sunday. But it was just the two of us this time. We arrived at 5 p.m. and it was raining. There was a soccer game in the stadium so the parking lot was full. There wasn't any shuttle bus around, so we had to walk about 200-300 metres to get to the building. And we had to hire an umbrella 'ojek'. What a mess!
 |
| me on the expo's last day |
But once we're inside, we forgot about all of our suffering out there. We made another stroll around, but this time with different route. Alas, the booths were closing at 7 p.m. so we had very limited time that day. However, I brought home with me a pair of silver lace mules and a blue 'jumputan' angkin (girdle) to wear a kebaya with. I'm ecstatic--and can't wait for next year's expo!
 |
| pretty silver lace mules from Aldorra - oh so adorable! |
 |
| adorable two-sided batik angkin from WDrupadi - love that blue! |
P.S. To see what they sold in the expo and more of it, click here. And if you wanna read our collaboration blog, see here.
