Wednesday, January 04, 2006
The BIG T: For the Tanamur Guy!
You commented anonymously to my Stadium review:
wow...really brings back memories of Jak night life. I preferred Tanamur myself- more intimate in a way, and the girls there could actually pretend they had been dragged there by 'evil companions' (and perhaps some of them were; who can say?)
Stadium, to me, has two strikes against it- first, it's owned by Tommy. second, with the fishbowl on lantai? with the tiny rooms for assignnations and that dingy-ass karaoke room: it's too blunt about wanting to be all things to all reprobates. Tanamur said, 'look, I'm a dodgy den for hiding your desires- take it or leave it, ya bastard' and most of us took it, yes we did. I am looking forward to a lot more posts about Jak nightlife! Please don't wander away! If you want more, perhaps a guest post and some Tanamur pictures, mention the Big T (Tanamur) in a post in the future.
This really tickles me. Tanamur versus Stadium: which has more attitude?
Although now few years closed, Tanamur will remain special for the city's contemporary history - I hope someone is writing a book about it, once such a egalitarian space for Jakartans. For me, its attraction lies on the fact that it used to draw people from all walks of life. The gold triangle men in business suit, young professionals (the middle-upper class kids) just entering the corporate culture, expats from all kinds (including the old, fat fart-big beer belly with eyes always on the prey), backpackers from Jaksa, students, local professionals and what have you.
They could be straight, gay, bi perhaps or self-acclaimed perverts. Even the whores came in such variety: young and old, nymph and witch, cherished and pitied. All mingled in the same pool. Dance united them (not so much the music). The kitsch - represented by the tacky interior atmosphere (slouching couch in sleazy corner?) until the go-go dancers in their skimpy hot-pants, 'trying' so hopelessly to be sexy, but could not really wiggle their hips to start with.
Tanamur had more 'lights', faces; more 'colours', in contrast to Stadium's dungeon-feeling with people wearing shades in almost complete darkness. Whilst Stadium sticks with the sweet, slim girls clad in dark hues, with their Mamas (now) in striking red with their 'selling' spell. Once I sat down with a male friend, right at the bar at the entrance where the girls and the Mamas preying. It's part of being voyeuristic, part coziness. Coming as a 'couple'-like, we didn't think we would be bothered. But sooner, one Mama neared, and offered some service to my 'date'. And just when he replied, casually, '..no thanks, can you see I'm not alone' - she said in equally casual tone, '...we could get someone for her too'. Hah. Is this what you resent about Stadium?
Tanamur was outrageously cheeky where cheap, fleeting desire went around, ever rotating, never dwelling. On the other hand, Stadium is a such obnoxious dent, where the real vultures venture, either for the girls, the e-substance, or their own vanity. If you're a Tanamur regular, great chance is (depends who you are) people identified you as crazy or sleazy or simply fun-seeker, whilst if you're Stadium's, people tend to 'stigmatise' you (esp. if you're a gal).
But above these adjective description, Stadium represents something else. It very much reflects the state of this country/nation. The bare fact some place as Stadium can exist and practically can do whatever they want to do says a lot what a country/city it is situated. Just look at the facts: owned by the notorious TW for a start; selling the e-substance openly, with every waiter/waitress a so trained salesmen; the open flesh-market, sophisticated concept of integration marketing, the so-called 'non-stop entertainment' a space; the 'untouchable' status on most days, even the occasional raids we all know are fake. Its existence is a kind of parameter for me. If such place is let to exist on the ground (not under), then draw your own conclusion of how 'gotham' the city is (what? corruption index? forget it).
So, where have you been Tanamur guy post-Tanamur? Apart from few lines here on your place, I guess, the best way to describe your once fave place-space is to have you guest-writing in my blog.
For old time sake? What about it?
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4 comments:
I am the Tanamur guy!
some further observations:
It broke my heart to find out Tanamur had closed. I won't say i was a fixture there; but friends knew to look there if they couldn't find me anywhere else. I would stand with friends under the catwalk (no, not just to look up tarts' skirts...well, okay, once in a while) and drink G&Ts until 4. It was pretty much a standing date; pals would complain, then grudgingly admit that they were having fun.
Part of the fun was watching the marketing...in my opinion, 90 percent of the girls at T would have given up 'the game' in a heartbeat if they could have found the right guy- I saw this happen at least 4 times, BTW, ending in marriage. Could that be said at Stadium? I think not! It's a more mercantile environment.
I had friends whom I only saw at T. A French doctor who saved my life by diagnosing a nerve disorder (while he was drunk!) and insisted that I see a specialist at RS Pondok Indah. The gay dance instructors who would always tease me about going upstairs with them- and who would then shriek with laughter when they saw that, no, it didn't bother me in the least to be up there!
I remember one night, an Aussie newbie had passed out in the walkway next to the dance floor. I picked him up, propped him up and looked for his friends. When none were found, I hired an older working girl to take him home with her for safekeeping. She was overjoyed to get 100K for babysitting. The guy paid me back when I saw him the next night.
More memories next time. If you'd like some photos, just mention it in a post.
oh, sheesh: you had to mention the go-go dancers! Poor things, hopped-up and searching for some dignity in those ridiculous outfits.
ha! spam AND a dead link.
email me at jeffpulice at cashette dot com and I'll send you some real fotos of Tanamur. Please put 'TANAMUR' in the subject line or the spam filter will catch it. now, about those penny stocks (I am inquiisitive)
i know this thread is years old - but still i miss Tanamur
There was really something about that place - i think it had to do with the character of the women
True Story : My first night - a cool gal asked if we should keep chatting at my hotel
I asked her what she was thinking of in terms of remuneration ( so that i could then politely decline )
With a big smile ..she said she thought the taxi fare was about USD 2.50 - and if i was really short of money she would pay !
This was the first of many visits - all of which created a sensational feeling around the sheer beauty and generosity of Indonesian women
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