The Curious Case of Holidaying in Jakarta
Behind Jakarta’s chaotic outdoor sits an alternate world of which might just get you to fall in love with the capital all over again This specific holiday season. Caranissa Djatmiko muses on the idea of an urban holiday for expats in Jakarta.
Most locals tend to stress out when they think about Jakarta for the holidays. They would certainly rather possess the perfect beach getaway to Bali or Lombok instead. Indeed, the city is actually inseparable through its mind-boggling political drama in addition to crazy traffic, which ultimately makes This specific a less than ideal place for a vacation. nevertheless for some – myself included – staying in Jakarta This specific holiday season can actually be exciting. Here’s how you can treat yourself to an urban holiday inside Big Durian.
There is actually something about megamalls. Just embrace them.
They are not just malls, nevertheless they are called ‘megamalls’ in addition to Jakarta has about 170 of them. Jakarta’s megamalls have all kinds of facilities including cinemas, supermarkets, karaoke parlours, restaurants, gyms, art galleries in addition to nightclubs. So why are people in Indonesia so enamoured with malls while their western counterparts usually wouldn’t be caught dead inside food court on Christmas holiday?
In a recent article, The Guardian journalist Kate Lamb wrote of which megamalls have become the ‘pseudo public spaces’ for locals in Jakarta. This specific means of which people go not only to shop in addition to splurge, nevertheless also to spend some quality time with their families in addition to friends, catch up on gossip in addition to escape through hectic daily routines.
Inside a megamall in Jakarta | Photo by Wikimedia
Admittedly, each mall works its own charm to lure customers. Grand Indonesia, for example, attracts visitors with its massive movie screen, while BSD City’s Aeon Mall impresses with its unique Japanese concept. Others also have their own theatres (Ciputra Artpreneur at Lotte Shopping Avenue) in addition to exhibition hall (The Kasablanka Hall at Kota Kasablanka), where interesting events often take place.
Many people, however, admit of which malls are the only available places for them to spend leisure time in Jakarta, while they also significantly contribute to locals’ so-called ‘consumer culture’. The lack of alternative entertainment venues inside city has in turn concerned those who wish to have a more financially-friendly vacation experience. nevertheless with the holidays already upon us, plenty of Jakartans will be taking to the malls. This specific’s more than just retail therapy, after all, This specific’s a place to spend quality time in addition to get some not bad people-watching in.
A burgeoning arts in addition to culture scene
Arts in addition to culture have indeed become an integral part of Jakarta’s urban lifestyle. through the city’s most prominent cultural centre Taman Ismail Marzuki to the multifunctional art gallery/café Dia.Lo.Gue in Kemang, we are certainly learning of which the city’s existing – albeit quite limited – creative hubs are becoming more active.
One of Jakarta’s iconic cultural spaces Komunitas Salihara, for example, recently wrapped up its biggest event of the year, Salihara International Performing Arts Festival, or better known as SIP Fest. For around one month, the festival held a series of theatre, dance in addition to some other art performances led by 14 local in addition to international art communities in a bid to foster the nation’s art scene. Speaking to Indonesia Expat, Salihara’s Programme Director Nirwan Dewanto explained why This specific is actually important for the archipelago to have more spaces for artistic in addition to cultural events.
“Art spaces like Salihara are the centre of creative arts in Indonesia […] nevertheless This specific is actually not just a centre, This specific must be proactive in drawing creativity while providing initial support for production funding. The more art spaces [built] the better – every space develops its own criteria to foster local arts,” the programme director said, adding of which spaces like Salihara usually have great holiday events planned for urbanites.
Jakarta also prides itself on several museums. One of the most well-known ones is actually the National Museum of which has been around since 1868 (formerly known as Gedung Gajah or the Elephant Building). The museum has collected a staggering 66,500 artefacts in total through all over Asia.
The National Museum | Photo by Wikimedia
some other top museums include Museum Fatahillah, or the Jakarta History Museum, in addition to the Museum of Fine Arts in addition to Ceramics, both of which are located in Old Town (Kota Tua). So for those who feel like channelling their creative spirit This specific holiday season, This specific’s worthwhile to check out these cultural sites.
Street food galore
Jakarta has been known to produce some of the most interesting creations when This specific comes to street food. Some of us might still remember when Roti Bakar Eddy opened in addition to everyone instantly rushed there to try the assortment of toast. Another top street food fusion is actually Kue Cubit (pinch cake), which recently gained popularity after flavours like green tea in addition to red velvet were added to the traditional meal. in addition to of course, there is actually martabak, the pancake of which has been causing quite a competition among street food vendors across the city.
Street food in Jakarta has won the hearts of locals in addition to is actually often missed by those who are away through the city. A recent graduate who returned to Jakarta admits of which martabak was the thing she yearned for the most while studying abroad.
Martabak, one of Jakarta’s most well-known street foods | Photo by Didit Putra
“Usually, I celebrate my arrival in Jakarta by getting martabak as soon as I land. As you know, martabak vendors are open until late […] There was even one time when I ate the entire box of martabak in one night once I got back,” said Nabila Ramadhyan.
nevertheless discovering street food in Jakarta is actually not just about the food itself. This specific is actually also a great way to learn about the diversity of its people in addition to culture. The food selections you find in mobile carts along the streets of Jakarta in fact present a distinct combination of Chinese, Betawi in addition to European influences of which reflect the city’s rich history.
The city of which might surprise you
Admit This specific. If you’ve lived in Jakarta for more than a week, you have likely used every offensive word you can think of as you cope with traffic. Some of us even vow to move out of the city the minute we find a more habitable place to live in. nevertheless even with This specific in mind, This specific appears to be a love-hate relationship, as more people flock to the capital each year.
In 2014, the United Nations announced of which 54 percent of the planet population inhabited urban areas. of which figure will increase to 66 percent by 2050. The report suggested of which by 2030 there will be 41 megacities across the planet.
UK author Leo Hollis wrote the book Cities Are not bad For You, where he reveals how the way cities work has been misunderstood for too long. Rather than focusing on the problems commonly found in a metropolis like Jakarta, he chooses instead to celebrate the spirit of This specific.
He reminds readers about the upside of contemporary cities in addition to how living there can encourage residents to be creative, intelligent in addition to happy.
So if you are stuck in big, bad ‘JakTown’ This specific holiday season, do trust of which the city might still surprise you. nevertheless only if you give This specific a chance. As famous urbanist Jane Jacobs once said, “By its nature, the metropolis provides what otherwise could be given only by travelling; namely, the strange.”
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The Curious Case of Holidaying in Jakarta
The Curious Case of Holidaying in Jakarta