Mayor Visit

For the first time a 100% blue sky when I got up. I was late today as we were expected to pay a visit to the Mayor of Bandung: Pak Dada Rosada. As we were only invited at eleven and had to leave around 10 o'clock it didn't make sense to go the office first. So that was quite relaxed and we had all the time to dress up.

Back yard

We arrived in time, you cannot let the Mayor wait of course, so we could take some pictures of the property.

Assembly hall

Gong symbolizing Peace

My surprise was big when I noticed the gong in the assembly hall. It looked like the same gong which I have seen 8 years ago when we visited Bandung just before the golden jubilee of the Asian - African conference.
The gong stood in front of the conference building! Later it was confirmed that it is indeed the same gong. The gong, gold plated,shows badges of cities in Indonesia, in the middle the signs of the different religions in the world. Together it symbolizes Peace. Bandung, the educational city, welcomes all religions and want to be know as Peace city.

The Mayor was quite busy and kept us waiting. In the meanwhile we recorded "Happy Birthday" for him as he will celebrate his birthday end of month and his staff wants to make a video.
We song Happy Birthday and congratulated him : Selamat ulang tahun.

Happy Birthday song in the foyer

DISKOMINFO team: Karen, Manuel & Yolande

The Mayor was apparently quite busy so we were asked to have lunch first. There was some sate ayam, sate sapi, longton (squeezed rice) and some dumplings with nice peanut sauce.

Although the Mayor was later than expected he took the time for us. Besides us there was the Bandung Rotary club who offered an educational booth. The Rotary club has connections with a sister Rotary club in Hilversum, who donates yearly some money for educational projects.

Manuel took the duty to introduce us shortly to the Mayor, even spoke some words in Sundanese as Wednesday is the day that you should speak Sundanese. We all had to say our name and where we come from. On my becoming standard: "Saya orang Belanda" the people smiled again.

After the formalities we had the opportunity to ask some questions, which were answered very extensive. The head of the library, who we met last week during the Kidsmart contest, translated everything for us as the Mayor doesn't speak English well enough.
The Mayor explained that there are three major challenges in his city: Transportation, Waste management and Education. We see some opportunities for IBM: Smarter City!

Manuel speeching

Pak Dada speeching

After the Q&A the Mayor invited us walk through some other rooms to go the plateau for some photo's and to say goodbye.

The Mayor together with CSC team & Rotary representative

Me & the Mayor

We also got the opportunity to take a picture with the Mayor himself.

In one of the rooms I saw some beautiful Wayang Golek puppets and a painting of Gedung Sate.

As the visit took much longer than the initial one hour, we decided not to go back to office, especially when we couldn't get a taxi quickly and knowing that our client was away for a day. As we had a very productive day yesterday, we think it we could afford it!

We lost a day of work, but had a very interesting experience. I wonder if this is similar when you pay a visit to our Queen?

#ibmcsc indonesia