My Dear Great Ones,
It was Buddha's birthday last Monday in Hong Kong and as a result we Christians (Celia and I) along with all the Buddhists and everyone else in HK, got a day off and a long weekend, so we took advantage and visited Elsie (a Christian who works at a Christian private school like me and Celia) in a predominantly Muslim city Jakarta, Indonesia. Got all that? Anyway here are some things we saw and experienced whilst in Jakarta with Elsie.
Elsie works at an International Christian school in Jakarta, Indonesia called: Sekolah Pelita Harapan (SPH School Light Hope). The school is massive with five different campuses spread throughout the city. Elsie's campus is a high rise attached to a high end mall, called Lippomall. The picture above shows her building. The first 10 floors or so is a carpark which is covered with plants and flowing vines. Several spectacular and ritzy apartment buildings are also part of the Lippomall complex which is barricaded from encroaching slums by a Berlin-like wall and military garbed guards at the three entrances. It is an oasis of first world prosperity surrounded by 3rd world poverty. Each floor of the SPH high rise has a grade or school department. There is even a gym and a pool located on two of the floors. There are also teacher quarters. So Elsie's commute is walking to an elevator and pressing a button to her floor. Not bad.
The view from Elsie's apartment. Slums interspersed with first world islands of prosperity make up the city of Jakarta, home to an unbelievable 28 million! people. Canada has about 35 million people.
Walking to an entrance of the Lippomall complex. Lovely.
Leaving the Lippomall world.
Real Jakarta is gridlock, public transport is minimal, millions of cars and motorbikes inch forward to their destinations seemingly all day.
Millions in Jakarta eke out a living selling their wares from tiny carts like the one above. Some dress up, kids mainly, in outlandish costumes and dance for passing motorists who throw change out to them.
Seemingly anything and everything is sold on the streets of Jakarta and building codes seem non-existant.
Traffic is so outrageous in Jakarta that when I came back to Hong Kong it felt like I was returning to Red Deer where the traffic situation is pretty easy going and minimal.
Public transport. Pretty bad.
Motor bike parking lot and someone trying to make a living on a narrow, but busy road to an entrance of the Lippomall.
We walked to the establishment located near the Lippomall where Elsie offers swing dancing sessions every Friday night. A great, fun activity for Elise.
On our second night in Jakarta Elsie brought us to this very unique restaurant. Located on a lake, it has many interesting tables and places to eat. As happens so often in a 3rd World country white skin is equated with money and the waitress tried to get us to a table which would have cost us a fortune. Elsie firmly, but politely insisted we were not interested and that they were to take us to a regular table, which did not charge such an exorbitant rate. The atmosphere and food was great once we got settled.
The next day we went to church. There is a thriving expat community in Jakarta and Christianity, despite how strongly muslim the city and country is, is, as far as I can tell, accepted. Elsie's church has a wonderful ministry to the poor and disadvantaged of the city. They provide food, education and most important of all hope found in Jesus.
After church we went to the Ancol Dream Park, which is located on the ocean. My spoiled first world taste was not that impressed, but it still was interesting. Seeing local people in action was the best part. This group is lounging in the shade on a plus 34 day.
Breadfruit? Seen along the ocean walk.
Avoiding kids on mini bikes along the ocean walk.
Sorry not the greatest picture, but the boat's name is: Berlin!
A group on a tour. We were accosted several times by boat owners to join these tours but thankfully we stood firm and said, no thanks.
Local fishermen.
Elsie then took us to Fatahillah Square. On the way we saw a few motorbikes.
Near Fatahillah Square we came across this man selling fresh mangos. There were a multitude of other food and wares being sold as well. People were everywhere, many were basking in the shade, trying to avoid the scorching sun as much as possible.
Fatahillah Square. Home for a few museums, the famous Batavia Cafe, and loads of innovative people trying to earn a bit of money.
Barney sweltering in his costume.
Elsie with a levitating man in gold.
Celia and I posing with same "native," dressed figures.
Mickey and Minnie made an appearance.
A real green toy soldier standing on guard.
Native singers.
Frozen.
This blind lady, helped a long by a friend, wailed indonesian top hits.
Fatahillah square. Very interesting. The bikes below could be rented. Hats are included.
There were many little market kiosks selling anything and everything.
Elsie, considered by the locals as rather exotic, was conscripted for a photo shoot with some school girls.
No chair? How is this possible?
The fire eater got a good throng of people watching him.
After taking in the tumult of Fatahillah Square in 34 degree heat we took a brief respite in the, (praise the Lord, air-conditioned) famous locale: Cafe Batavia. The place had a real colonial vibe about it. Indonesia was once governed by the Dutch and the Cafe Batavia was built by them.
A dutch treat. Ice cream with mini pancakes smothered in sugar powder. Very good.
An elegant couple coming down some elegant stairs at the Cafe Batavia. The walls were adorned with hundreds of pictures of famous people. A very interesting place.
We then risked our lives crossing a major busy road to check out the classic Stasiun Jakartakota. This train station built during colonial days is still in operation.
Waiting to buy a train ticket. Glad I was not part of this mob.
Classic archways. Very nice. After visiting the train station we headed home to the Lippomall and then walked to dinner. On the way we saw:
...Bajajs. They are like a taxi. Elsie and I rode one together a day earlier and the poor thing barely made it up a hill. Good for short distances, but not recommended for long journeys or if you are in a hurry. These things cost a few cents (Canadian) to travel in. A definiate cultural experience.
A street vendor frying something up.
This meal is called Padong. Think Spanish tapas. You pay for each plate you clean up. It was...to be charitable...ok. Maybe there are better quality padongs elsewhere.
Celia and Elsie about to embark on the feast.
Thanks Elsie for a great visit! God bless you.
Love adios and ping on!
To all you great ones. God bless you too. See you next week.
Love adios and ping on too!
Dirk
