Word-of-mouth facts now in print

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