Ayam Doesn’t Introduce Herself

Ayam Doesn’t Introduce Herself

Who has never heard of Blok M? Everyone who comes to Jakarta firstly must know that place. It is a popular shopping centre and hanging out area in South Jakarta. There are many interesting things here such as luxurious shopping centers, a busy bus station, cheap souvenir stores, and various dining places from western restaurant to delicious street food dealers surrounding Blok M Plaza and Blok S football stadium near State Police Headquarter. On the other hand, the famous underground gangs who occupy the area and are dominated by Eastern Indonesian tribes also pull up the place as popular area in Jakarta . Of course, like other melting pots and business areas in the city, Blok M is famous for its ayam phenomenon and its nightlife.
Ian Hamilton, a 35 year-old Australian expatriate, could be a different western man I have ever met. As a single living in Jakarta, Ian has his own perspective about ayam phenomenon.
It was Sunday afternoon when we are got a conversation about ayam. "I am not sure whether she is ayam or not. But I think she don’t worth it for u," said Ian, one day when I visited his boarding house, last Sunday evening. Our conversation became serious as I told him I had just broken up.
"Perhaps you have any candidates for me," said me with a little bit jokes. After enjoying a cup of coffee, Ian and I agreed to hang out in Melawai. Both of us on bike, we rode to the sparkling spot area in Melawai. That was the first time I visited the Wild West American style club named GoldMine. It is the one and only western club among Japanese and Korean clubs in there.
"The club has just been opened for three months," said Andi, a young Makassar-Javanese waiter who accompanied us enjoying our coffee cups. Her name refers to her ancestor who is a part of royal family in Makassar, South Sulawesi. Andi seemed impressive with fluently English, black T-shirt plus jeans she wore. A sheriff-like shinny metal clipped on her right pocket. Suddenly, Ian told me he would go out for a while to meet his friend, one block away from the club. Being separated by bartender desk, Andy and me resumed conversation. We discussed the club, the members, FIFA world cup and my experiences in journalism. I also asked about her job, status and how she would go home at night. Within 15 minute conversation, I could draw a conclusion that Andi was a nice and gorgeous girl. She was not an ayam.
When Ian arrived, I said goodbye to Andi because I had to do evening prayer. Ian did not hesitate accompanying me to go to the mosque. He waited for me patiently. Then, we walked to Bulungan street and had dinner at Ayam Ganthari, a famous street food dealer in Bulungan.
There I saw a lot of ayams, standing side by side in Bulungan street. They stood along the street looking for guys who could spend night and shared a little of love. What they’re did had remembered my mind to the midnight TV programmes I saw recently. They mingled with the crowd but still emitted different aura than ordinary people.
On my way home, I imagined if Andi had to struggle keeping her images from people’s minor sight about her job. An article I once read on a newspaper that said there were 30 thousands people hanged their lives in the Jakarta’s nightlife business. Was Andi one of them? I am sure she is a strong girl who tries to survive in the city.