Happy Jakarta Phobia
The celebration was just over! Jakarta is now 484 years old… Just like usual, Jakarta’s anniversary celebration on June 22 is always a time to praise and to grumble everything about it. For some people, Jakarta is such a man-made hell, but the others find that they are still enthralled with millions of Jakarta’s happiness promises.
(Old Potrait of National Museum)
I can freshly recall my memory when I was a kid. Jakarta was my dream city! I was very enthusiastic when my sister told me about Jakarta as she went there for holiday. Monas, Ancol, Dunia Fantasi, and other captivating sites in Jakarta were my lullaby almost every nite. Even worse, every time I was sitting on my drawing class in kindergarten, National Museum (Monas) was the only-single object that I drew. Nothing else!
But that’s my past nice childhood story of Jakarta. At the moment, I am not a big fan of this capital city anymore! Frankly speaking, I am suffering from “Jakarta Phobia”
I don’t know when exactly I get this phobia. My first experience I step my feet on Jakarta’s land was not that thrilling as I expected. It was in 2007 when I represented my uni to a competition in there. It seemed like my childhood dreams about Jakarta had fade out. No more excitement to see Monas and other things in every corner of Jakarta.
I have been to this city for less than 10 times so far with maximum 3 days visit. I always feel not comfortable and safe when I walk and talk to people. Trapped in traffic jam for couple of hours is just like torturing myself. Threats of crimes are always in my mind whenever I go around the city. Creepy! I feel so odd every time I am there. That’s why I am so reluctant if I have to go to Jakarta.
I guess that I am affected a lot by tons of media information about Jakarta. Every single TV station, newspaper, radio, or even online media reported about dark side of Jakarta; murder case, stressful traffic jam, devastating flood, pollution, and etc. Who can stand for that?
My biggest fear right now is when I have to buzz off from Jogja and move to Jakarta for working or pursuing my career there. It isn’t deniable that most of blue-chip company is located in Jakarta. Thus, if I still want to work for prominent company or NGO, I have to compel myself live there with all the consequences. Yet I do hope that my entire life won’t end up there tho!
Therefore I wish Jakarta can transform into my dream city again where people live in harmony, no frustrating jam and pollution, and contentment can be experienced every day. Also, I wish that my Jakarta phobia does no longer exist!
Does anybody experience the same thing with me???
Anyway, happy anniversary, Jakarta!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
