Jason's Jakarta Jottings #1

Its been more than half a year and many things have come and gone.

Right now I am currently in Jakarta for work till February. And I feel it would be good for me to jot down some of my observations whilst living here. The weekend of my second week has arrived, and the thing I would like to note  first of all has to be the traffic condition here.

Even before I arrived, I have known and been told that Jakarta's traffic jam is the worst in the region. Based on experiences from colleagues who travel here for work often, I would think so too.
But thankfully, my exposure to these jams has been mild.

Thankfully I live in the nearest town to my office (about 20km). So far, on a bad day it would take me more than an hour to reach either home or office. On a good day, as rare as they may come, it would take me slightly over 20 minutes.

With the very heavy traffic here, I feel grateful that traffic in KL isn't that bad after all. In fact, I used to think that the 110kmh speed limit was a bit on the low side for a 3 lane highway, until I arrived in Jakarta.

Right now, i feel privileged to be able to reach speeds of 80kmh on the highways here. There were times when I reached speeds of 90kmh and above, I felt that i was going too fast. And I actually slowed down! And even driving at 60-80kmh, I would arrive at office in good time. RIght now, I feel blessed that our Road conditions in KL are better, but I wouldn't have been grateful have I not driven on the roads here myself.

My first observation, and I will make more as time goes on.


Boodyboy, out!

r0@dblock$!!!!

Okay, here i would like to vent out my frustrations after my 2 and a half hours on the road today. Yes i reached office late. Fre@king Late!!! i reached at about 10.15 am. Do you know how sucky it is to be on the road for such a long time when walking or even crawling seems faster? If i had not used the emergency lanes whenever possible i dont think i would have arrived at this time at all. i would have only arrived in 3 or even 4 hours later!! yes, so what if i broke the law just to get to office as soon as possible? Come arrest me lah!!!

Look, the road blocks have been there all weekend. In all major roads leading into KL. So thanks for ruining the weekend and Monday for the people who drive!!! Can some1 clarify with me the purpose of having such roadblocks being set up in the first place? First of all, the police ain't even doing any "pemeriksaan". They just narrow the road to 1 or 2 lanes then lets you drive off without even once looking into our cars. Look, if you plan to do and "pemeriksaan", at least look into my car lah goddammit!!! I demand to be "periksa-ed"!!! There are some roadblocks without any police there at all, they just place all the skittles to narrow the road. thanks guys.

God, it feels like we're in times of the Emergency (Darurat, for those who studied in Bahasa). Police setting up roadblocks (this time its worse, during those days, they actually checked if ppl were Communists). So yes, you wanna create fear in the minds of our citizens? get them to stay at home during weekends, reduce travelling? You (PM, Police, Home Minister, which ever soh@is that oversees this) might as well implement curfew so that we dont go out anywhere lah!!!

So come on man, give me a good reason for this roadblocks. Is it because u guys are afraid ppl will go and demonstrate in front of the Parliament today, due to the motion of No-confidence? Is it because we have a terrorist in our midts and you would like to capture him (highly unlikely, cause u guys dont even periksa in the 1st place.)?

PLEASE FOR THE SAKE OF ALL PEOPLE WHO BRAVED THE JAMS TODAY, WHAT IS THE RESON FOR YOU SETTING UP THE F*CKING ROADBLOCKS?!?!!?!?

Boodyboy, out!!!