Arriving safely after a harrowing time in the Jakarta airport -- our poor friend R. got pulled into a room. We were sure he was being connected to a polygraph and getting bamboo shoots up his fingernails, but he said they just re-scanned his passport. My passport was also deferred to a superior security officer -- guess I look suspicious. At any rate, we are here, alive and well!
We are right in the city center of Jakarta, living in the lap of luxury in the Grand Hyatt next to an impressive fountain and endless stream of honking traffic. Here's the nighttime view from my window:
We are welcomed by the hotel staff by a long line of metal detectors and security officers. Right after though, we enter a palatial mall full of marble and premium brand-names like Cartier and Jimmy Choo's and Rolex.
In a nation where 50% of the population live on less than $2 a day, we are welcomed with iced lemon-tea and some of the finest hospitality I've experienced yet. It is a very odd feeling of guilt and glee.
Perceptions. Misconceptions. Because of Indonesia's vast size (17,508 islands, far as Massachusetts to California), its diversity (300 ethnicities! 700 languages!), and our very short six days here, I am hesitant to say what I've learned for sure.
We've been kept from 8am til 6 or 7pm most days in air-conditioned rooms, both corporate and governmental. The speakers have been a range of controversial to inspiring. Many of us feel we haven't seen the "real" Jakarta. Every morning we race downstairs as though it were Christmas to the scrumptious brunch spread of tropical fruits and nuts, fresh eggs, made-on-the-spot omelettes and pancakes and waffles, and traditional Indonesian dishes like nasi goreng (fried rice) and ayam goreng (fried chicken) and a whole bunch of other things. Sushi is also a breakfast option!
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