Jakarta

It's been almost two years since I came to this city. A city of 14 million people in population that I should call home. I have my family here - my big fat family (ahem, I have 28 first cousins just from my mum side). But I still find it difficult to call this city my home.

Perhaps it's the people whom I feel difficult to relate to. I don't understand the people, I don't understand the city.

In my view, most of Jakartans my age spend most of their social time at the bars and the hottest night clubs. They're trendy and beautiful. They have the latest gadgets, wear designer clothes, and perhaps don't drive expensive car because they have their own chauffeur. Many girls use their free time working as models. They're not gonna talk to you unless you look hot and have lots of funky friends. Sometimes I actually feel I was in LA rather than in the capital of a third world country.

I remember my time in Australia, particularly during my days in AIESEC. Gosh! I miss those guys. Some of them are pretty fluffy and pretentiously ambitious, but some others really keep it real. They're down to earth, they're dreamers, they know what they want. And most importantly for me, their idea of fun is not spending a lot of their income only to look cool and hip.

Maybe it's the city. I hate it. Traffic jam awaits you everywhere, at any time of the day, in any day of the week. The pollution is overwhelming, the heat is unbearable, the humidity is disgusting. Jakarta is a metropolitan city. We have tons of shopping centers, amusement parks, museums...all a big city could offer in entertainment. But I don't seem to enjoy any of it... I like going to the beach and spend some relaxing time on the seashore watching the waves and hearing the sea breeze. This is probably why you quite often see my facebook status, "Allya is missing Sidi Bou Said".

I was talking to my friend who lives in Sohar, Oman, and he complained how I don't use all the goodness of living in a metropolitan city. He probably thinks Jakarta is comparable to London. London's cool, Jakarta isn't. I don't think Jakarta is sexy, although I know its people think it is.

History is another thing. I find it really difficult to find traces of history in Jakarta. Although Jakarta has monuments, historical sites and buildings, museums, I can't see its people as being able to appreciate where they are coming from. Is it too easy if I conclude that this comes from the apathetic youth of Jakarta? Or is it part of the mentality of a used to be occupied nation?

I don't feel this is my home. I think I miss a city so laid back people don't worry about what other people think of them. A city where I can sip a cup of coffee beside the street while reading a good book. A city where I can have a decent conversation about anything from life to the hottest topics that happens in the country and the world - not the hottest gossip or clothes or gadgets - with a close friend. A city where the air is so clean that you can enjoy a walk in the park. A city where you can go from a museum to a concert hall by foot. A city where you can embrace the modernity of the future, but can still find bits and pieces which could remind you of the past.

Where should I live? I do long to travel.

Siz