Let me write on the spot

“Selamat datang,” I could have uttered but I’d rather hear “selamat jalan” from my friends.  Five years ago, I was struggling to go home.  I was posted in Jakarta, Indonesia for almost a year (I was there during the Bali blast).  While people were celebrating Ramadan, a single Christmas tree was put up in a mall that reminded me of home.  Whenever Christmas approaches, I looked back to that time when I was staring at that tree with the knowledge that Christmas is different at home.  Yes, I gotta be home for Christmas.  Almost seven months in this neighboring country, I knew my time was up — literally, which is why I was held at the Jakarta airport for overstaying.  But that’s another matter.

Despite the Bali bombing, like in the local Philippine scene, life went on in Jakarta.  My stay was filled with work, tutorials (for local Indonesians wanting to study here), shopping, socializing with Filipino friends, Catholic community and touring visitors to Jakarta’s landmark.  Mind you, I’ve never been to all despite the length of time I spent there.  It’s different when you’re in a place at a short time with visit as the topmost priority compared with staying for months and postponing tourism because the places are “just there.”

Anyway, a friend asked me what I can recommend in Jakarta and I was grasping my memory of the places I’ve passed by or visited during my brief stint there.

Jakarta’s main symbol is the Monas.  It’s a towering landmark that marks Indonesia’s freedom and independence.  A golden flame-like shape towers the tall monument which I can compare with the Quezon Memorial Circle.  Everyday, I pass by this monument but never had the chance to really get inside and climb up to the tower.

Within the periphery of Monas are the train station, the US embassy and the Vatican embassy.  Down Jalan Sudirman is the great fountain that sits in the midst of various hotels.

Our office, which was then situated in Gedung BRI, is just within that main thoroughfare. Across our building is the Atma Jaya Catholic University.

What I liked about their city is the urban planning.  The skyway is connected and you’ll never get lost.  It surrounds the central part of Jakarta and you’ll surely end up where you enter, in case you forgot where to exit.  Buildings have driveways and are not built wall to wall, unlike our Makati.

Still in Central Jakarta, you’ll find the Istiqlal Mosque which is the largest mosque in Indonesia.

Across the mosque is the Catholic Cathedral where I went to as I heard mass there once.

For shoppers, malls like Plaza Senayan and Taman Anggrek are popular.

But if you are looking for a good buy of Dutch lamps, you’ll get beautiful goods at Jalan Surabaya where a row of antique stall await tourists.

My favorite hotel is JW Marriott Hotel, which is a bit secluded even when it is at the heart of the city.

But my friends usually hang out at the lounge of the Grand Hyatt hotel where a Filipino band plays on the grand piano.  We drink cocktails as we listen to some Filipino songs overlooking the grand fountain at the background.

Living in the northern part of Jakarta, my friends took me to nearby Sea World.  We went inside the tube looking at beautiful underwater species found in the rich seas of Indonesia.

Down south is where backpackers’ hotels and fine restaurants are found, including the Secretariat Office of the ASEAN.

An Indonesian friend also took me to their revolving restaurant.  I saw the splendor of Jakarta at night, 360 degrees!

I do hope that when I go back to Jakarta, it would be more of pleasure and with some friends in tow, too.  But I do miss a lazy quiet afternoon in my unit at Sunter where I learned to cook various Pinoy foods and usually glued in MTV all day and night.