THIS is strictly for the ladies. Sorry fellas, I don't think this is your cup of anything unless, of course, you have heard that Bandung is a city of beautiful women.
Us ladies are more into history and much more, especially the shopping, and some sights of course, if only not to appear too brain dead. But do forgive us women and please understand that "retail therapy" does contribute to the preservation of our sanity. You can't stand us when we are nervy. When we are that you think we are neurotic and quite certifiable. So, when we rave about the shopping don't judge us. Think of how beneficial it is in maintaining your tranquility, your serenity and your sanity too. In fact, you may think what you like as long as you do not begrudge us the simple pleasures of travel while shopping.
A friend has just returned from Bandung. By the way, she did not mention any of this but this is an Indonesian city only 2 hours south of the capital, Jakarta. It is not a financial centre but it is quite a money-spinner. The city has an industrial area stuffed with factories manufacturing all sorts of anything that will sell including the aircraft CN235. I kid you not. It is, therefore, a thriving manufacturing city. But that is not all. It is too quite a hotbed of opinions, polemics and the likes. Here the media is pulsing with activity. Here it is popular culture that dominates and here there are boutiques galore even in the most unexpected places. Imagine what it is like when you are in the high street. It is a shopper's paradise.
Girls, you go to Chiamplas to get all manner of "branded" jeans. Can you imagine a long road of little boutiques and shops of T-shirts and jeans and all manner of accesories that you may or may not need. In and out, from one shop to another. You do this until you drop because you are not only looking for the best fitting, you are scrambling for the best price and it does become dirt cheap if you have the energy. Try an Escada that is some RP60,000 a pair. That is just about US 6 dollars. Yes I do realise you can get clothes quite cheaply in the bargain basements of the stores in the US, but remember those are not branded. This is why, after all is said and done, few go away thinking that the city can be impossible to drive through. The good shopping more than makes up for what is a mere trifle of a problem. Your agitated state then was only a case of the jitters brought on by the fear that the traffic jam might become your nemesis in this greatest of challenges: to spend as little as possible for as much "of the best" as you can get.
Yes, indeed, there is more to this city than mere factory runoffs from many of the world's designer labels. This is a city with a renowned university, Padjajaran. Once upon a time, before the city played host to the modern economy it was a beautifully cool hill resort, urbane and dignified, and very much a favourite with the Dutch colonialists. And, before the toll road to Jakarta was opened to facilitate Bandung's hosting of the APEC Summit some 2 years back, Bandung was a good 4 hours away via the scenic route of Puncak Pass. The thick mist and cold of Puncak gave it an Alpine feel that makes the arduous journey seem very worthwhile.
For those who are intent on a National Geographic experience the volcano, Tangkuban Perahu, is but a few kilometers away. Just prior to the APEC summit it became active giving rise to speculations on whether it might not explode whilst the heads of governments were meeting. And, for Malaysians Bandung is but a short hop away from Kuala Lumpur by the now ubiquitous regional budget airlines Air Asia. My friend who just came back, she took a package with them and was in and out of the city, with the 2 empty suitcases she brought suitably jam packed, in just 2 days. Have a car waiting for you at the airport and the retail therapy's success far outstrips that of a roll in the hay!
And oh, I don't mean to make it seem unimportant, but I apologise profusely for quite forgetting the historical significance of this beautiful city. It is here that Soekarno, Indonesia's first president, declared the nation's independence from 350 years of Dutch rule. Here too, was where the first meeting of the non-aligned nations was held also during Soekarno's presidency. Voila, there you have it, an enchanting and extraordinary city.
Picture: Gedung Merdeka, Bandung city centre.
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