Exploring the capital: An experience of diversity<\/p>\n
Michele Soeryadjaya, Grade 9\/Jakarta Int'l School<\/p>\n
During the week I spent exploring the city of Jakarta, the
\ncapital of the world's largest archipelago, Indonesia, I have
\ndiscovered it to be a melting pot overflowing with rich culture,
\ntraditions and, above all, diversity. From the urban to the
\nsuburban, from the wealthy to the poor, from the old to the new
\n-- the city is an epitome of diversity.<\/p>\n
Among the dull colors of other vehicles, our light blue bus
\nstood out in the crowd, with the exception of red bajaj whizzing
\nabout.<\/p>\n
An hour into the bus ride to Bekasih, West Java, where we
\nwould be helping Habitat for Humanity build a house for the less
\nfortunate, the change became starkly apparent.<\/p>\n
One by one, the cars and Metro Mini public buses started to
\ndisappear until there were only several left on the battered
\nasphalt road. While this disappearance was occurring, dokar or
\npedati (horse-drawn carts) and friendly pedestrians were
\nbeginning to appear.<\/p>\n
Looking out from the window of the bus, it was evident that
\nthe big, skyscraper-like buildings of the urban landscape were
\nbeing replaced with small convenient stores surrounded by the
\nvast, luscious green paddy fields of the suburbs -- a welcome and
\nrefreshing change. The view was one so rarely seen that I savored
\nit like a child cherishing the sweet taste of candy.<\/p>\n
One glance up at the sky and one could tell that the sky was
\npainted a deeper shade of blue -- which I assumed was because of
\nthe decrease in pollution -- and this made the white clouds
\nappear even more vibrant and fluffy against the light sky.<\/p>\n
All of a sudden, a sense of stillness and tranquility, a
\nfeeling that was rarely experienced in the city, settled over us.<\/p>\n
The agricultural life of the suburbs was like a sea turtle's,
\nslow and calm, compared to that of the city, which was like a
\ncheetah's, fast and busy. No wonder much of the country's
\npopulation are farmers.<\/p>\n
Upon our arrival at the site, I was hesitant to step off the
\nbus and onto the ground, as the ground was covered in piles and
\npiles of trash so that not a speck of earth could be seen. This
\nraised a little revulsion in me.<\/p>\n
However, I tried my best not to project these feelings, as
\nthese people most likely were not educated on the proper disposal
\nof their trash.<\/p>\n
Moments later, three representatives of Habitat for Humanity
\ngreeted us with smiles on their friendly faces. A set of
\ninstructions were given to us in heavily accented voices.<\/p>\n
Following the instructions, we began to work like a group of
\nhoney bees buzzing around with a sense of urgency while trying to
\nignore the scorching heat dehydrating our bodies. Aside from the
\nrepresentatives and us, the kampong was nearly deserted and an
\neasy silence pierced through the village.<\/p>\n
A closer look at the environment and one could tell that the
\nliving conditions of these people were substandard. Most houses
\nhad painted walls that were starting to peel and roofs that had
\ntiles missing. Walls had several bricks missing and it looked
\nlike a jigsaw puzzle with pieces missing.<\/p>\n
Floors were simple, white ceramic tiles stained with years of
\ndirt and cracks. Open windows and doorways provided the only
\nsource of ventilation, as none could afford appliances such as
\nair conditioners and fans. Electricity was a rare commodity that
\nonly few could enjoy.<\/p>\n
A well located near the courtyard of the village served as the
\nmain source of water. The kampong residents' way of living was
\nindeed primitive and old-fashioned. For us, who are used to
\nperforming the simple act of turning a knob to get water, this
\nwould be a nightmare come true.<\/p>\n
A few minutes later, the residents started to appear out of
\nnowhere. We started to interact with the people and soon, the
\nsilence was broken by the sounds of chitter-chatter.<\/p>\n
Regardless of poor living conditions, these people seemed
\ncontent and treated us with great kindness and hospitality. Their
\nlaughs were infectious, accompanied by wide grins plastered on
\ntheir sincere faces.<\/p>\n
I felt a surge of compassion and respect. But while a part of
\nme respected them for this, another part could not understand why
\nthey were so happy. With guilt, I hid this thought deep in the
\ncrevices of my mind and continued to laugh along with them.<\/p>\n
But, even though they welcomed us with open arms, I felt like
\nan outsider -- as though I was an ugly duckling amid stunningly
\nbeautiful swans.<\/p>\n
While I was interviewing one-half of the future owners of the
\nhouse we were helping build, I discovered that an elderly woman
\nnamed Ibu Neriaty once had 10 children until three of them passed
\naway, sadly.<\/p>\n
This was neither hard to believe nor surprising, as the life
\nexpectancy was quite low due to the poor living conditions and
\nminimal access to health care. She was dressed in simple attire:
\na plain, red T-shirt; three-quarter length khaki pants; an old
\nnavy-blue baseball cap and a pair of black-rimmed glasses. Her
\nappearance and cheery personality made her approachable and I
\nimmediately felt compassion toward her.<\/p>\n
Once a Dutch colony, Dutch influences can be seen in various
\nplaces within the capital. An area that is famous for these
\ninfluences is Fatahillah Square in North Jakarta. Boasting
\nstatues and architecture that resemble those in Holland,
\nFatahillah Square was once a town center and center of
\nadministration during 18th-century Batavia (what Jakarta was
\nformerly called). The old City Hall, which is now known as the
\nJakarta History Museum, exemplifies Dutch colonial architecture.<\/p>\n
Compared to the modern-day buildings of the city, the Dutch
\narchitecture is full of historical value and importance. In
\naddition, this particular architecture is more intricate in
\ndesign with placid green circular domes for roofs and slender
\narches for entryways. This is a great example of the city's past.<\/p>\n
Enormous old-fashioned Dutch boats stand tall and proud in the
\nharbor known as Sunda Kelapa, North Jakarta. Bursting with
\nhistorical value, this harbor was once a main trading port for
\nexchanging goods such as spices. The boats, called pinisi, has a
\ncertain European flare to them, which makes them more intriguing
\nthan the modern boats with monochrome designs found in most of
\nthe city's harbors.<\/p>\n
Splashed with dark tones of mustard, maroon and navy blue,
\nthey beam with pride and self-importance. Such a sight could only
\nbe seen in Sunda Kelapa harbor.<\/p>\n
Located only a few minutes away from Sunda Kelapa is the fish
\nmarket, known to the locals as Pasar Ikan, a prime example of
\nwhat local markets in Jakarta are like.<\/p>\n
Although it is quite a distance from the city center, its
\nlocation is what makes Pasar Ikan unique, and it stands out from
\nthe other local markets of the city. It emits a traditional,
\nDutch aura while its appearance is like any other present-day
\nmarket.<\/p>\n
Shops are aligned in two columns with one on either side of
\nthe crowded street. Even in the early hours of the morning, the
\nmarket is busy with customers running around trying to find the
\nbest bargain. Food vendors are spread around the whole market
\nselling various foods such as ubi goreng (fried yam), singkong
\ngoreng (fried cassava) and many different kinds of fresh fruits.<\/p>\n
Among the various goods that are sold there are beautiful sea
\nshells, home appliances such as radios and television sets, and
\nclothing and boat fittings. Pasar Ikan is not just a market, but
\none where the past and present clash.<\/p>\n
No major city would be complete without a Chinatown, and
\nJakarta does not disappoint. But to be honest, I did not even
\nknow there was a Chinatown in the city!<\/p>\n
This was probably partly due to the fact that its appearance
\ndoes not resemble any other Chinatown. If someone did not inform
\nme that we were indeed in Chinatown, I would've thought that we
\nwere in any other local market of the city.<\/p>\n
Unlike other Chinatowns, this district did not have any
\ntraditional Chinese buildings. Instead, it resembled local
\nmarkets of the city. Stalls were set up by tents and goods were
\nshowcased on tables and shelves. However, it did sell what any
\nother Chinatowns sell: Chinese goods such as savory snacks,
\nChinese DVDs and traditional herbs and medicine.<\/p>\n
Another reason why this particular Chinatown is not widely
\nknown is because it is more well known as Pasar Glodok. This is
\ndue to the fact that the area where the market is located is
\ncalled Glodok.<\/p>\n
This market had a whole different aura than the fish market:
\nIt was where Chinese and Indonesians mixed; a clash between
\nraces.<\/p>\n
Running around in Jakarta and seeing the good and bad has
\nopened my eyes to different sides of the city that I'd never
\nknown before.<\/p>\n
Whether it was talking to an elderly woman or giving a little
\nkid candy, I enjoyed and savored communicating with people I had
\nno contact with before.<\/p>\n
Visiting the different areas of Jakarta, like the suburbs and
\nthe urban areas, gave me a new perspective on the environment and
\nour surroundings.<\/p>\n
Rarely do we get to experience a day in the life of others,
\nbut when we do, it is one that could never be forgotten or erased
\nfrom the memory.<\/p>\n
From living in a house to actually building one; from poor
\nliving conditions to high living conditions; from talking with an
\nelderly woman to playing with a little child; from a market with
\nDutch influences like Pasar Ikan to a market with Chinese
\ninfluences like Pasar Glodok -- Jakarta is truly a quintessential
\nAsian experience of diversity.<\/p>",
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