Enjoying a relaxing Sunday in Jakarta

Enjoying a relaxing Sunday in Jakarta

Come Sunday and the rich and fancy pack their bags for a game
of golf perhaps, away in a heavenly resort, perhaps? The humble
masses, however, flock to Senayan stadium to kick ball for a few
hours. Others just walk or bicycle along Jl. Jend. Sudirman, Jl.
Thamrin and in the Monas area, normally busy areas that are
mercifully without traffic on Sunday mornings.

There is much hustle-and-bustle as groups practice martial
arts in one corner or play a vigorous game of their favorite
sport in another. As the sun begins to beat down, all physical
activities slow down and people gather around the countless,
colorful warung (food stalls) and kaki lima (mobile food stalls),
men who come well prepared each Sunday morning with enough bubur
ayam (chicken rice porridge) and bubur kacang hijau (mung bean
porridge), to feed an entire nation.

Many may head toward Ancol Dreamland in the north or to Taman
Mini Indonesia Indah in the east.

Some neighborhoods hire buses that are filled with infants to
all the elderly in the family and plenty of homemade food and
drinks for a day-long picnic out in the open and away from the
stifling atmosphere of an office, shop or even a home.

After being on their feet for eight to 10 hours each day, some
say that just sitting on the shores at Ancol watching the waves
come and go is enough to refresh them. There are plenty who take
a boat ride or decide to wade into the sea for a while.

Children, of course, are delighted to splash in swimming pools
or go for thrill rides at Ancol's amusement part Dunia Fantasi.
Much ice cream is consumed and many group photographs are
clicked. Older parents spread out a sheet under the shade of a
generously large tree and relax while also keeping an eye on
little ones running around in the open. Couples steal time to
discuss essential family matters.

When exhausted with wandering around holding hands, lovers
enjoy being served at road-side cafes, where they concentrate
less on the eats and drinks and more on continuing to dream about
their future. Pasar Seni, also in Ancol is a popular place for
all those interested in the arts, where handicrafts from all over
the archipelago are sold.

Crowds also flock around artistes for hours to silently watch
them practice their art on the spot. With such a large number of
people out in the open, vendors, beggars and street singers, too,
do brisk business on Sundays.

At Taman Mini, amazing open-air performances are held
sometimes of fire eating and sometimes of sword-wielding tribals
from different parts of the country. Dangdut concerts too are
held in different corners where the inspired are seen dancing
with gay abandon.

However, it is best to forget a ride above Taman Mini in a
gondola or a show at the Keong Mas Cinema on a Sunday as the
queues are never ending.

Considering how the entire city seems to demand to be
entertained even on a Sunday, there is nothing like a holiday for
some citizens. In fact, the vast majority continues to cook,
clean and care for everyday of its life as if it was a clock that
never runs down. (Mehru Jaffer)