W

alking outside in Jakarta can be a struggle, but keep your eyes open. You may find the unexpected — especially if you expect sidewalks to only hold pedestrians.

Below are just some of things recently found while beating the pavement. Observers might fight these diversions confusing, annoying and maybe even entertaining.

1. Rug seller, Jl. Ampera Raya, South Jakarta.

Halim has been selling rugs on the sidewalk near Jl. Ampera Raya for over five years. Located on the left-hand side of the street when heading toward Kemang, his makeshift tent might make it hard for some pedestrians. Others might find Halim’s operation a blessing.

“The price of my rugs are cheaper than those sold at the stores, because I don’t have to pay rental fees,” he said.

Halim said that his customers mostly comprised car or motorcycle drivers who happened to pass his stall and decided to stop and buy a rug.

“I can actually earn more money by selling rugs here, much more than when I had a kiosk in Blok M,” he said.

2. Giant flower pots, Jl. Raya Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta.

The flower pots might have been built to beautify the area. They definitely block the sidewalk. Several passing pedestrians said that they preferred to have a passable sidewalk instead of the flowers.

The pots are each more than 2 meters long, 1 meter wide and 80 centimeters high and are about 3 meters apart.

There is no room at all on the sidewalk. Pedestrians must hop in and out of the street every few meters.

3. Security post, Jl. Suropati, Central Jakarta.

Taman Suropati is one of Jakarta’s favorite parks. Many activities take place there, especially on Sundays, including those walking, jogging or just hanging out in the park’s 16,322 square meters.

Walking along the sidewalks that surround the park, a pedestrian might sight an ersatz security post comprising a decorative beach umbrella on a corner near the home of an ambassador.

Other than a place for resting security officers, the post also offers passers-by a place to take shelter from the sun or rain.

4. Calligraphers near Pasar Baru market, Central Jakarta.

The city’s oldest market, Pasar Baru, offers Jakartans goods ranging from textiles to traditional cuisine, electronics and cosmetics. Outside the market, pedestrians might be enticed by the art work.

Along the sidewalks of Ciliwung River in front of Pasar Baru are at least four calligraphers who display their work while waiting for their next orders.

“We make beautiful hand-written names for certificates, diploma letters or any other kind of certificate. There are other calligraphers here, but we each have a different writing style,” one of the vendors said.

In the afternoon, people can also be seen sitting on the sidewalks while a brave few cast for fishing in the river.

Pasar Baru (New Market) was built in 1820. Its moniker might increase the disappointment of tourists and shoppers who come to see a slice of Indonesian culture and a bustling traditional Asian market. An ambitious pedestrian, however, might cross over the Transjakarta bridge to visit the caricaturists lining the streets opposite the Jakarta Arts Building.

5. Unfinished electricity project, Jl. Setiabudi, South Jakarta.

Excavation projects are a common sight along Jakarta’s roads and sidewalks. Some of the roads are completely repaired after work is complete.

Sometimes, however, workers might forget to finish the job, according to Cahya, a parking attendant on Jl. Setiabudi.

“It’s been open like that for a week, with the cables popping out. The workers said they could not finish it because they could not find the connection or something like that. It becomes muddy when it’s raining,” he said.

The hole has also started to become a trash bin, full of plastic, glass and paper. — JP