Question from Simone

Do they have large shopping malls like we do here?


ANSWER: Yes they do!! In addition to all of the street peddlars there are malls of different sizes everywhere! They have movie theaters, fast food restaurants, upscale restaurants, arcades, and lots of stores. Many of the stores are the same ones we have in the U.S. : Body Shop, Gap, Levi's, Nine West, and Nike. You wouldn't know you were in Indonesia if you stepped inside a mall.

One of the ones I go to the most is called Pondok Indah Mall (see photo) or PIM. It's actually 2 malls PIM I and PIM II and they are connected by a skybridge between the two. The difference between the malls here in and the ones at home is that most of the malls have grocery stores in them. They all sell the same thing, clothes, shoes, electronics, kid stuff, books, home decor, furniture, sports equipment, and toys. There are actually 2 movie theaters in PIM, one in each mall and the theaters here are nicer than the ones at home. You get an assigned seat when you buy your ticket and the seats are upholstered and recline and have cup holders. We just saw Robin Hood this past weekend and my husband was able to buy beer at the concession stand. The cost of a movie ticket is cheaper too. For the two of us it only cost $10 and that's only because we went on the weekend, during the week, it's only $2.50 p/person unless you buy a ticket in the premiere section and there you will get a blanket and a waiter that comes to your seat. That will cost you $10 p/person no matter when you go.