A group of people surrounded me in Jarkta while visiting the National Monument…they wanted to take a picture with me?
I Was A Novelty In Jakarta…
As I walked around Jakarta, I noticed the stares…it seems that tourism is not all that common in Jakarta (totally different story than Bali). During my walk around, I visited the National Monument (locals call it the Monas), meant to commemorate the struggle for Indonesian independence from the Dutch Empire.
It opened in 1975 and is open Tuesday – Sunday for visitors to visit (and climb). It was so hot and humid that I did not go inside, plus I was hit up by a very nice, but aggressive tour guide who wanted to take me around town. I’m sharing his info below because I think he would be good, but I did not have time on this trip:
The National Monument sits on a gated compound and there’s a wooded area where people sit and relax or picnic.
As I was walking out, a woman came up to me and asked for my picture.
Um, okay?
Actually, this sort of thing has happened to me in both Mainland China and in India…I realize tall white people are a bit of a novelty.
I posed for the selfie, but almost immediately a group formed (though it wasn’t as bad as Heidi being swarmed in Hyderabad). Everyone wanted their picture with me. Individuals and groups…
The women were wearing head coverings, as you can see in the photo at the top of this story, which I found interesting. I would have thought, wrongly apparently, that going up to men and asking for pictures is verboten in conservative Islamic society, but Indonesia is different than the Middle East.
Interestingly, Indonesia recognizes six religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. 87% of the population is Muslim (almost all Sunni), but about 10% of the population is Christian. Even more interestingly, it isn’t fully clear how Indonesia became a predominantly Muslim nation. In any case, it was a slow spread and apparently not via force or conquest (like other parts of the world).
I took a motorcycle back to my hotel, which was fun…I wouldn’t dare ride a bike or motorcycle in California, where drivers pay no attention to them, but with horrific traffic, choosing a motorcycle over a car makes a lot of sense when you are in Jakarta.
I’m sharing about my whirlwind trip through Asia.
Thank you for this great photo essay. It’s been a long time since I was in Indonesia, but I hope to be back with the family some day.
Nice article! I have never been to Jakarta but would see the Selamat Datang Monument (man and woman with hands up, situated in a busy roundabout) had I gone there. Did you see it?
Yes, I saw it.
“I would have thought, wrongly apparently, that going up to men and asking for pictures is verboten in conservative Islamic society, but Indonesia is different than the Middle East.”
Even in the Middle East, it’s not forbidden per se. Much as with shaking hands with a hijabi, wait for her to offer then accept if she does.
+1, exactly my experience when I lived in the ME.
I hope you gave your hair a thorough wash after the motorbike taxi… most clients who avail of the provided helmet, don’t.
I did! The hotel had great LeLabo shower products.
Friend of mine went to a smaller city in China many years ago and when in a restaurant some folks asked him for a picture. He is a tall white American and probably looked different than locals. Fast forward 15 years later he goes back to the city, now much bigger and goes to a restaurant that he didn’t remember going before. As he sat there he noticed people were looking at him and pointing to him. After a while, he noticed his pictures from 15 years ago were on the walls of the restaurant and people recognized him. He felt like a celebrity.
Happens at least once a week in Jakarta, if im out of the city will definitely happen!
Most people here are extremely friendly, helpful and caring.
I was at market and a group of men got up and insisted that I sit down in the shade while I waited (so my white skin didnt burn haha), share their coffee with me and eat something. You have to remember some of these workers are paid Rp100,000 a day / A$9/ USD $6… they didnt want anything from me … they just wanted to be kind, and we took a photo of course.
Good story you are well cultured Matthew.
Jakarta was recently ranked as the world’s largest city – overtaking Tokyo – but there’s little in the way of tourist infrastructure. Surabaya, the country’s second largest city, is similar. I don’t know the extent to which Indonesia relies on Garuda for most long distance routes is a factor influencing tourist demand?
Garuda is very expensive domestically. As are other airlines, but they are cheaper than Garuda. We are in Bali and often cheaper to fly to Singapore or KL than to Jakarta. Apart from Jakarta domestic routes are served by Air Asia, Citilink, Lion Air, Super Air Jet, Pelita, Nam Air, Trans Nusa and probably a few more.
Same thing happened to me in non-touristy part of Indonesia called Banda Aceh. Now I know 1% of how celebrities feel!
Nice story. Similar thing happened to me (white American male) in Sulawesi in 1993; some locals asked if they could touch my hair; sure, why not? I saw some other white tourists there but I guess we were kind of exotic. In Kyoto in 1999 a bunch of school children insisted on photos and practicing their English with me. A nice experience; fond memories.
150$ for a day tour where as you mentioned some people earn 6$ a day. LOL. A sensibkle price negotiation over there is always useful.
For sure.