M

ost Indonesians know the song '€œSiapa Suruh Datang Jakarta?'€ (Who asked you to come to Jakarta), written by rock '€˜n'€™ roll band Koes Plus. The message of the song is to remind people that Jakarta is not as friendly as it seems. The song implies the capital city is more like hell than heaven. With so many residents leaving the city ahead of Idul Fitri, which falls early next week, it'€™s an opportune time for us to look at the best and the worst aspects of life in the Jakarta during the holiday.

Quiet streets

Unlike the usual daily jams, the traffic is quiet on almost all streets during the Idul Fitri holiday as so many people have left to celebrate the big religious event in their hometowns. The majority of residents traditionally make the annual exodus, locally known as mudik, to their hometowns to enjoy the holiday with their families. The massive exodus is expected to peak today and last until Sunday, a day or two before Idul Fitri.

The government estimates that more than 19 million people will have left cities and towns by the time Ramadhan ends next week, while Jakarta'€™s population of 11 million will be halved this time next week.

At least for the couple days of Idul Fitri, Jakarta will almost be a ghost town.

Shuttered restaurants and food stalls

During the holiday, most restaurants and food stalls, mainly the so-called warteg (an abbreviation of warung Tegal) as well as your favorite local shops will close for a few days as the owners will be celebrating with their families, and many staff will have left for their hometowns.

Some of the restaurants and local shops will be closed for only two days of the Idul Fitri holidays, while others will remain closed for a week or more, prompting many residents to stock up on essential items.

Hotels fully occupied

Hotels offering family packages with special discounts will be fully booked as many families will stay in hotels and condominiums while their housemaids are off celebrating the Idul Fitri holiday in their home villages in Java, Sumatra or West and East Nusa Tenggara.

Many ethnic-Chinese families living in middle-class residential areas in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta or Indah Garden in West Jakarta say they have already booked their hotels and will stay for a week or two until their housemaids and baby sitters return to work.

Crowded recreational sites

In contrast to the deserted streets, another phenomenon we can expect to see on the holiday are extra busy days at recreational sites in the city.

The long holiday is expected to boost local tourism. Millions of residents who choose to stay in Jakarta will spend the rest of the holiday at the beach, amusement parks and other attractions after visiting their relatives.

A number of recreational sites will also offer discounts and promos to attract more people.

The Jungleland Waterpark, for example, will offer a promotional rate during the holiday, when visitors can take advantage of the '€œBuy 1 Get 3'€ program. Jungleland ticket holders will be entitled to a 20 percent discount off Jungle Waterpark admission and free access to JungleFest.

Public service workers

Many public-service workers, including nurses, firefighters and policemen cannot leave their duties and will have to celebrate Idul Fitri at their places
of work.

They voluntarily accept the condition as a consequence of their employment although many
other workers, including stall attendants in shopping malls receive extra pay for working through the holidays. '€” JP