Sun, 25 Jun 2000

Word-of-mouth facts now in print

Lenggak Lenggok Jakarta (Exploring Jakarta); Published by Warta Kota daily newspaper, May 2000; 152 pages; Rp 30,000

JAKARTA (JP): People are now able to check a directory to discover the town's best soto gebrak or other things previously passed on only through word of mouth. Soto gebrak is a local soup made from a special process in which the cook bangs a bottle of ketchup down on the table.

Check the newly launched directory Lenggak Lenggok Jakarta (Exploring Jakarta), prepared by Warta Kota, a daily newspaper focusing on what the capital has to offer for its citizens and guests.

In addition to finding the most wanted traditional fare like soto gebrak, gado-gado (mixed vegetables with peanut sauce) or sop konro karebosi (spicy rib soup) which are rarely publicized, you can also find out about a wide variety of places spread throughout the capital, such as the prestigious Oasis Restaurant on Jl. Raden Saleh or the Bogor Kafe at Borobudur Hotel.

Lenggak Lenggok Jakarta also explores many interesting places like Taman Puring, the best known market for secondhand items in the Kebayoran area of South Jakarta. At this market people look for unusual items such as a filter for an aging washing machine or a screw for a timeworn toilet or to find decorated fish, birds, flowers, antique furniture, secondhand books, as well as Chinese medicine and healers.

There is also information about Sogo Jongkok (Squatting Market), a temporary traditional market every Sunday in the Tanah Abang area of Central Jakarta where people can buy various items of good quality at inexpensive rates, although they are not the same standard as those sold at nearby Sogo department store.

There is also information about Pasar Ular (Snake Market) in North Jakarta, a nonair-conditioned market located near Tanjung Priok seaport. It used to be a haven of imported goods sold by ship crews, but now it looks like any other market. If you are lucky, you might find low-priced foreign goods.

What makes this directory interesting is that it tries to provide information on many items which are not found or are rarely seen in other directories.

You can find tips for what to do in an emergency if you are ill or need to call an ambulance in the middle of the night.

What if you have to go out of town but need someone to take care of your pets? The directory suggests you take them to the Ragunan shelter in South Jakarta.

Other information covers weddings, car rentals, qualified interpreters, sports clubs, drug stores, round-the-clock telecommunications services, language courses and even air- conditioned public buses and transportation at night.

It also answers questions on where and how to report crimes to the police. Interestingly, you can find a list of non- governmental organizations (NGOs) dealing with violence against women and other gender issues, and drug rehabilitation centers.

Those who want to visit historical buildings in Jakarta can check them out ahead of time in the book. A complete list of museums in the capital and brief details of each place are available.

Warta Kota chief editor Banu Astono said the directory was prepared by a team from the daily paper to provide assistance to Jakartans and visitors to the capital.

The 152-page directory is divided into four chapters: around us, shopping, leisure and important things. Each article contains brief but concise information.

All data in the directory was based on information compiled by April 2000.

While the data looks accurate, it is a pity that not all the places have their phone numbers provided. The directory would be more helpful if it could provide further information on public transportation, including schedules and routes of regular buses, mini buses as well as mikrolet (mini vans). There should also be more choices on the lists of popular traditional food in Jakarta and foreign language courses.

Other things that are missing in the directory is information on cheap but reliable services and products, such as Internet cafes and boarding houses.

-- I. Christianto