'I'll go no matter what it takes'

'I'll go no matter what it takes'

Millions of Jakarta's residents travel to their hometowns every
year to celebrate Idul Fitri with their relatives. The Jakarta
Post interviewed two Jakarta residents who are planning to go
home later this week.

Kasdi, 43, is a Kosti Jaya taxi driver. He lives with his wife
and three children in Ciledug, West Jakarta.

I'll be going back to Slawi in Tegal, Central Java for Idul
Fitri. Usually I use transportation provided by travel agencies;
they're much safer because they take me straight to my home in
Slawi.

Prices are usually higher this time of the year. They charge
about Rp 40,000 (about US$4) on ordinary days and about Rp
100,000 during Idul Fitri holidays, but I imagine they're going
to raise it higher this year. And I still haven't saved enough
for my whole family to go.

Anyway the higher price is just the risk that I have to take.
I'm determined to go home this year, no matter what it takes.

Dina Widyasanti, 31, is a staffer at telecommunications
company Indosat in Central Jakarta. She lives in Cipinang, East
Jakarta.

I'm going home to Malang, East Java this holiday to visit my
parents.

My parents have five children but only my youngest brother
lives with them, so Idul Fitri is a chance for all of us to get
together.

I booked my seat on a plane earlier this month. Just since
then they've hiked the price to Rp 650,000 from about Rp 385,000
on usual days. But at least I got my ticket home. My parents
would be disappointed if I didn't.

-- The Jakarta Post