'I will never return to Jakarta'

People have begun leaving the city to celebrate Idul Fitri in their hometowns. For many of them, this is a time of great happiness as they get the chance to share their success with their families back home. But others have found it difficult just to scratch out a living here and are returning to their hometowns for good, defeated and disappointed. The Jakarta Post talked to several people preparing to go home.

Thamrin, has worked as a taxi driver for two years. He lives in Tambun, Bekasi, with his wife and four children:

The train back to my hometown in Surabaya leaves in an hour. I want to go home with my entire family for Idul Fitri. I have to bring a lot of luggage. Most of the stuff belong to my children, including new clothes, shoes and toys. I spent about Rp 1 million buying stuff this year.

Regardless of the price, I guess there is nothing wrong with giving presents to my children during the holiday.

After spending a week or so in Surabaya, I plan to come back to Jakarta with my family. My income during the fasting month was better than for most taxi drivers, who complained about the sluggish business. Thank God for that. That's why I'm coming back to work in Jakarta, hoping that after Idul Fitri I can make more money.

Atun, came to the city last month with her mother and brother from Brebes, Central Java. They stayed with relatives in Bekasi:

I am leaving for Brebes this afternoon with my brother and mother. There was no problem getting tickets. The only problem is that I found living in the city was not as easy as I thought.

After trying to survive for a month here, I decided not to come back to Jakarta. I swear I will never come back to the city. My father, a farmer, is here to pick us up after we realized we could not cope with city life.

At first, I really wanted to be a trader and run a small business at a traditional market with my mother. But I feel that the city is not where I belong.

I'm sick of city life and all the selfish people, particularly compared to rural life like in my hometown. My brother, who came with me last month, feels the same way. He doesn't like Jakarta, which he thought was the promised land.

I'm not bringing home any new clothes. All I have is my old clothes, a used fan and snacks from my relative to take home.

However, I don't know what I'm going to do back in my hometown.

Area, has worked as a nanny in Gunung Sahari, Central Jakarta, for a year. She comes from Pekalongan, Central Java:

I never thought that going home had to mean bringing expensive presents. Frankly, I'm a practical person. So if I need to buy gifts for my family, it's better to ask what they want first and then I'll buy it for them.

Besides, it's no use to buy a lot of presents in Jakarta. I can find the same stuff in my hometown except cheaper.

I don't know whether I will come back to work in Jakarta. My boss asked me to come back after four days to join his family on a trip to Singapore next week. He has booked a ticket for me.

I mean, I don't like Jakarta. I guess city people are selfish, discriminative and hypocrites. This makes me mad.

I need a job and money, but money is nothing if I don't feel at peace in my heart.

I will not recommend my family or friends come to Jakarta. I don't want them to experience how unpleasant and hard life here is. Let me be the one who experiences it.

Edy, has worked as a welder in Cengkareng, West Jakarta, for three months. He comes from Babat, East Java, where his wife and son still live:

I want to go home to see my family. I admit that living in Jakarta is not that easy. I'm giving up because it's too tough. I can't tell you how much money I make, but it's not enough.

I have decided to quit my job and return to my hometown. I will look for a job there, but not in this city. Perhaps I can work as a farmer or do odd jobs.

I swear this is the last time I come to Jakarta for work.

-- Leo Wahyudi S