Rare hospitality

Many of your letters complain about some aspect of life in Jakarta. The writers cite the problems they encounter, or complain about some of the people that live here. To try and redress the balance, I would like to share my experience after a recent thunderstorm.

It was late when I left my office on Jl. Jend. Sudirman and, after waiting for a long time for a taxi, I decided to walk to the nearby home of one of my friends. The rain had already stopped, but Jl. Bendungan Hilir was still badly flooded -- up to 40 centimeters in places -- as I found out. Even so, I managed to walk a fair distance before becoming stranded.

A man on a motorcycle stopped and offered me a lift. I mistook this friendly stranger for an ojek driver (transporting passengers for a fee), but he made it clear he was not. After a long and difficult journey, we arrived at my friend's house, where I hope I did not embarrass this kind gentleman with my well-meant offers of money for petrol or dinner for himself. In any case, he politely refused and rode off. I assume he helped many more people that night.

I realized that I had seen many cars picking up or dropping off people who were probably strangers. I am sure that the drivers were doing much the same thing, for I saw no sign of any price being settled or money changing hands.

To this good-spirited citizen, who works in an office in Wisma GHBI, I owe my thanks.

ALEC CROLL

Jakarta