Jakarta Fair: A story of lost children and show-off women

JAKARTA (JP): When you go to the Jakarta Fair hold on to your little ones tight, because at least 10 children get lost everyday at the crowded annual fair.

"You shouldn't wander away like that, didn't I tell you to stay close to me?," said one angry mother, pinching her small boy who had spent 10 minutes crying his lungs out at an information counter.

Jakarta Fair organizers claimed that, since the opening on June 14, at least 30,000 people have visited the fair each weekday, and the number has doubled on weekends.

According to an information counter at the fair, people come for various reasons. Some visit the fair for T-Shirts and sports items, while others look for computers, electronic goods and beauty products.

The spacious fairground is decorated with lamps, lasers and hundreds of balloons. At night the lights are so luminous that they practically light up surrounding areas.

Women who have visited the fair, looking glamorous with heavy make up, have also been an interesting sight.

Never mind about the long, hot walk they have to take in the heat, even though it eventually ruins their makeup.

A young woman was seen wearing a tight top and pants while her makeup starting melting on her face. But she seemed to enjoy herself carrying her bags full of goods.

Her reluctant male friend in Bermuda shorts and a T-shirt was seemingly being dragged from one fashion stall to another.

Many visitors have also been stopping by food stalls, some of them looking for traditional food from Jakarta.

Some of them eat their food standing behind stalls, while others try to find empty spaces and sit on the floor.

The crowds have been bigger in front of information counters.

Karuna, a resident of Central Jakarta, said that he had been to the Jakarta Fair twice and both times he asked for directions at information counters.

"The first time I asked because I didn't want to get lost at this big and crowded place. But since this is my second time here, I know my way around fairly well. That's why I brought some of my friends here tonight," he said.

The fair has three information counters located in three halls: A, B, and C. Halls A and B house trading exhibitions, while Hall C is occupied by provincial administration displays, and Hall D contains exhibitions of other products.

Ratna, who works at one of the counters, said that 90 percent of visitors asking for information ask where the ATMs are, and others are eager to know about foreign products and electronics exhibitions.

"Chinese Indonesians who come usually ask for specific sites, such as lantern exhibitions, while Moslems asked for places selling Islamic souvenirs," she said.

A lantern exhibition will be opened July 5 and will last for one week.

Benny, a resident of North Jakarta who came with his friend, said that he would like to see the Iranian exhibition.

"This is my first time here, that's why I asked for a fair map because I don't want to get lost, especially at night," he said.

Benny said he thought the map and the big signs were clear enough to follow. (12)