'I will never return to Jakarta'<\/p>\n
People have begun leaving the city to celebrate Idul Fitri in
\ntheir hometowns. For many of them, this is a time of great
\nhappiness as they get the chance to share their success with
\ntheir families back home. But others have found it difficult just
\nto scratch out a living here and are returning to their hometowns
\nfor good, defeated and disappointed. The Jakarta Post talked to
\nseveral people preparing to go home.<\/p>\n
Thamrin, has worked as a taxi driver for two years. He lives
\nin Tambun, Bekasi, with his wife and four children:<\/p>\n
The train back to my hometown in Surabaya leaves in an hour. I
\nwant to go home with my entire family for Idul Fitri. I have to
\nbring a lot of luggage. Most of the stuff belong to my children,
\nincluding new clothes, shoes and toys. I spent about Rp 1 million
\nbuying stuff this year.<\/p>\n
Regardless of the price, I guess there is nothing wrong with
\ngiving presents to my children during the holiday.<\/p>\n
After spending a week or so in Surabaya, I plan to come back
\nto Jakarta with my family. My income during the fasting month was
\nbetter than for most taxi drivers, who complained about the
\nsluggish business. Thank God for that. That's why I'm coming back
\nto work in Jakarta, hoping that after Idul Fitri I can make more
\nmoney.<\/p>\n
Atun, came to the city last month with her mother and brother
\nfrom Brebes, Central Java. They stayed with relatives in Bekasi:<\/p>\n
I am leaving for Brebes this afternoon with my brother and
\nmother. There was no problem getting tickets. The only problem is
\nthat I found living in the city was not as easy as I thought.<\/p>\n
After trying to survive for a month here, I decided not to
\ncome back to Jakarta. I swear I will never come back to the city.
\nMy father, a farmer, is here to pick us up after we realized we
\ncould not cope with city life.<\/p>\n
At first, I really wanted to be a trader and run a small
\nbusiness at a traditional market with my mother. But I feel that
\nthe city is not where I belong.<\/p>\n
I'm sick of city life and all the selfish people, particularly
\ncompared to rural life like in my hometown. My brother, who came
\nwith me last month, feels the same way. He doesn't like Jakarta,
\nwhich he thought was the promised land.<\/p>\n
I'm not bringing home any new clothes. All I have is my old
\nclothes, a used fan and snacks from my relative to take home.<\/p>\n
However, I don't know what I'm going to do back in my
\nhometown.<\/p>\n
Area, has worked as a nanny in Gunung Sahari, Central Jakarta,
\nfor a year. She comes from Pekalongan, Central Java:<\/p>\n
I never thought that going home had to mean bringing expensive
\npresents. Frankly, I'm a practical person. So if I need to buy
\ngifts for my family, it's better to ask what they want first and
\nthen I'll buy it for them.<\/p>\n
Besides, it's no use to buy a lot of presents in Jakarta. I
\ncan find the same stuff in my hometown except cheaper.<\/p>\n
I don't know whether I will come back to work in Jakarta. My
\nboss asked me to come back after four days to join his family on
\na trip to Singapore next week. He has booked a ticket for me.<\/p>\n
I mean, I don't like Jakarta. I guess city people are selfish,
\ndiscriminative and hypocrites. This makes me mad.<\/p>\n
I need a job and money, but money is nothing if I don't feel
\nat peace in my heart.<\/p>\n
I will not recommend my family or friends come to Jakarta. I
\ndon't want them to experience how unpleasant and hard life here
\nis. Let me be the one who experiences it.<\/p>\n
Edy, has worked as a welder in Cengkareng, West Jakarta, for
\nthree months. He comes from Babat, East Java, where his wife and
\nson still live:<\/p>\n
I want to go home to see my family. I admit that living in
\nJakarta is not that easy. I'm giving up because it's too tough. I
\ncan't tell you how much money I make, but it's not enough.<\/p>\n
I have decided to quit my job and return to my hometown. I
\nwill look for a job there, but not in this city. Perhaps I can
\nwork as a farmer or do odd jobs.<\/p>\n
I swear this is the last time I come to Jakarta for work.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/i-will-never-return-to-jakarta-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }