A Story from Room 257

I went to Cikarang since last Monday (25/8) for a meeting of AJCU-EAO (Association of Jesuit Colleges and University - East Asia Oceania). Well, I'm not Jesuit, though, but how knows if one day I'll be one. In fact, most of the comers are Jesuits. Wow, it must be very hard for my sinful soul to be in that kind of community, taking communion and join the mass every evening. Surprise, surprise! I enjoy it...

Well, enough with the meeting, since it will make a whole new story which I might tell it later. I stayed at the room 257 of Grand Cikarang hotel. This room gave me some interesting stories.

At first, I thought that I'm going to find a beautiful room, with bathtub in the bathroom. But, it is not a first class room (or a room that I imagine would be found in such hotel). Well, I have a kingsize bed only for me alone, an air conditioner, and cable TV, as well as hot water shower. But, no bathtub!!! It might sound so dumb, but I want to try bathing in such tub while reading and sipping hot tea.

At my first night, I could barely sleep. Every once in a while, there was a knock on my door. And everytime I opened the door to see the knocker, to greet him or her, no one was there. Yep, it seemed like something knocked on my door, not someone. It's not that I was afraid. There was no single fright in my vein. It was just the annoyance. I always thought that it was either Bu Tri or Romo Agus. It was annoying though, and I wasn't able to sleep until 2 AM. I had to wake up at 5 AM. So, it was only 3-hour-sleep. And to think that I am a long sleeper........

Thanks GOD there was no disturbance in the second day. And you think that all the problems are solved? Nope, there was new problem though. There was a damage in my door key system. I couldn't open it at morning when I wanted to take my belt. I gave my card to the FO, and I left, escorting the city tour. When I came back, I found that the dinner plate was in front of my room. So, I assumed that everything is OK. Yeah, you think. I still couldn't open it!!!!

I went back to the FO and reported this. They didn't believe me, but when seeing the door, they started to get panicked. Nothing they can do to fix the condition. I had to wait at lobby for 30 minutes, with an exhausted body (remember, I got only 3 hours to sleep the previous nite!) and heavy eyes. I need rest badly to prepare for the welcoming dinner. And there was I, sitting at the lobby, waiting for the mechanics to fix my door.

Half an hour later, they came and lightly said to me, "Okay sir, your door can be opened now!" He left me and smiled. DAMMIT! Having been teaching English and manner in hotel, I know that they are supposed to at least say sorry or even gave some kind of compensation. But this?? Ouch! So much of a professionalism.