Fresh Back from Indonesia: Honest Travel Tips and Cultural Insights
1. The journey from Guangzhou’s airport to Jakarta, Indonesia, is a mere 5-hour flight. As the plane descends, the clouds part to reveal a vast, misty ocean, with only the sea and countless islands in sight.
2. Stepping out of the airport, the bustling energy of Jakarta is immediately palpable. As the capital of Indonesia and one of Southeast Asia’s largest cities, Jakarta boasts a population of 30 million. The skyline is dominated by towering skyscrapers and office buildings, a testament to its economic vitality.
3. Amidst the urban landscape, there lies a stark contrast: a slum where residents live in tin houses, paying a monthly rent of just 150 yuan. Many of these inhabitants struggle to find steady employment, relying on odd jobs or scavenging to make ends meet. Although begging is prohibited, it’s not uncommon to see mothers with their children searching for food or rummaging through waste.
4. The wage levels in Jakarta are modest. The minimum monthly income is set at 2,200 yuan, but many fall short of this amount. Women, in particular, often earn around 1,500 yuan, with some making even less than 1,000 yuan.
5. For the more affluent, a comfortable lifestyle is within reach. For about 4,000 yuan, one can employ four servants: one for laundry and cooking, another for cleaning, a housekeeper, and a fourth for grocery shopping and car washing.
6. Numerous garment factories provide employment for young women, who typically earn around 1,500 yuan per month. This income is barely enough to cover basic needs. Other women work as sales assistants, waitresses, and in other light physical labor roles.
7. The cost of living varies, with local fruits, clothing, food, transportation, and housing being relatively affordable, while imported goods and fruits are more expensive. Despite this, the overall living pressure for locals is manageable.
8. In local supermarkets, dragon fruit sells for 10 yuan per pound, apples for 13 yuan per pound, 1.8L of milk for about 20 yuan, and chicken for 20 yuan per pound. A bunch of decorative plastic flowers can cost up to 100 yuan.
9. Life in Jakarta moves at a leisurely pace. The people here value comfort and are less inclined to strive for more. There is a general lack of entrepreneurial spirit, and if someone is poor, they tend to accept their situation. It’s common for them to spend half their monthly salary in just two weeks, preferring to consume rather than save. After work, they often head out to eat or shop.
10. They are well-suited for routine jobs and show little initiative at work. This is not due to a lack of intelligence but rather a cultural mindset. At work, giving them clear choices between A and B is more effective than asking for their opinion.
11. Laziness can be an issue. For instance, someone might call in at 10 AM to say they can’t come to work, even though their shift was supposed to start at 9 AM. They rarely take leave in advance, preferring to act on a whim.
12. Despite these challenges, most people are simple and honest. If you approach them with sincerity, you can easily form close friendships. Even a stranger asking for directions will likely receive a warm and helpful response.
13. Traditional eating habits are strong, with many preferring to eat with their hands. They have a penchant for spicy, sweet, and strongly flavored foods. Rice and chicken are staples, forming the core of almost every meal.
The internet and communication infrastructure are still in the early stages of development. In many areas, 3G networks remain the standard, which can be quite limiting. When it comes to shopping at supermarkets, mobile payments are not an option; instead, locals typically rely on bank transfers or cash transactions.
In terms of restroom practices, toilet paper is not commonly used. In malls, you’ll find specialized water taps designed for washing. In more everyday restrooms, a bucket and ladle are usually provided for this purpose.
