The moment I started walking the path near our hotel, I realized why I never enjoy being in the country, even on my third visit there. Buildings are not friendly, I never saw people smiling to others they don't know -- or even nod --, everybody always seems to be in a hurry, everythings seems cold despite the hustle and bustle and luxurious shopping malls along Orchard Road.
Let me tell you one thing, I do hate some circumstances in Jakarta like the notorious traffic or the fact that our President does nothing against violations of human rights to be the least. However, there are a lot more things that we -- I -- can be proud of. Let's compare what we and Singaporeans have.
1. Shopping malls; Come on people, how many more malls do you think we need in Jakarta? What other high end brands do you need? Name it and you get it
2. Good food; Yeah.. I'm a huge fan of Indian food and chicken rice but when you put them against gado-gado, nasi ulam, gudeg Yu Djum, sate rembiga.. They're just pale in comparisons. You just need to venture Tebet, Thamrin, Sudirman and Santa area to get whatever delicacies and cuisines they boast
3. Public transport; Alright alright.. We're way behind them with MRT. BUT I have my own defense. How big is Singapore compared to Jakarta? How much easier do you think it is to manage the transport here and there? Yes, their MRT system is way better but I'm not losing hope that we'll get it one day somehow. Anyway, when I saw a couple with their heavy groceries bags climbing up and down the stairs to take the MRT, I thank God I can park my car at nearest Carefour when I do need to shop.
4. Natural sceneries; For whatever it takes, Ancol is way better than the one beach they have. They even exported the white sands from Bintan. Why bother? And if you are as lucky as I am to get opportunities to visit other parts of Indonesia, you will easily snap your fingers and say "We have far more beautiul beaches, you bitch". No further comments required, just check some photos I posted earlier as evidence.
5. Hospitality; I have to admit that store attendants are extremely nice when they know you're from Indonesia. Why not when we are the biggest spenders that keep the country standing? But you know, I never saw that friendly smile from somebody to another person who happens to cross path with them. As snobbish as I am, I never mind smiling to somebody I bump into in a store or merely help an old lady carrying her things when she needs to. They talk to people they know, girls and boys chat among them, couples hug and kiss everywhere but something is missing. There's no air of friendliness. Just too rigid. I even consider that Singapore would be one of the lasts on my list if I were to choose where I will raise my children. I don't want them to be as individualist as those people.
I strongly believe Indonesia wins by landslide when compared to Singapore when it comes to resources. Remember, resources. We just need more committed people to bring the nation to flourish with all those resources. We just need more people who are willing to badger the government to improve services in those beautiful country sides to attract more visitors. We just need to support Jokowi on his effort to build the MRT system. We just need people who are willing to spend more money in the country rather than overseas. We do need more people who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise to others to close the gaping gaps between the haves and the don't haves. We do need a lot more but it won't stop us. It won't stop us to prove that we can be greater than them. And that we will be.
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