IndonesianBackpakers

My Scholarship entry - Understanding a Culture through Food

worldjourney — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:31:35 GMT

One thing that I like when visiting a town is to taste the food especially the native foods. Sometimes the taste or the choice of the food explain the way of the native people life. I am lucky enough to be raised in my home town Jakarta, Indonesia. Even the traffic not very good but the choice of the food is so many. Well just said Jakarta is an urban town so many people come to Jakarta to improve their social status. When they come to Jakarta they also bring they culture and that means they also bring the home town food. If there a new food I will soon try it with my friend because we are the culinary adventurer.
So when I got an opportunity to work abroad from my home town, the first thing I want to taste is the food. When I go to Jogjakarta, Semarang and Surabaya I will search for nasi kucing and tempe bacem, the sweet taste of the food show and explain how usually Javanese people speak politely and sometimes they don't usually speak directly about their mind. Most of Javanese people are farmer's because of that the material to make the food is vegetables.
Is different kind situation when you go to Sumatera, most of the food taste are spicy, salt and sour. The raw material of the food usually taken from the sea like fish, prawn, crab and squid. Usually Sumatran people use coconut milk to cook their meal. I know this very well because my parent are from Bangka island. So the I know very well the taste of the Sumatran food.
I learn how to face native people from their food because from my experience the food you eat became your identity. If people who like sweet food they don't usually speak to the point, but with people who like spicy food they usually speak to the point of their mind sometimes it look very harsh for other person who doesn't understand their characters.

Photos: My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

worldjourney — Mon, 7 Nov 2011 17:01:00 GMT

House of Sampoerna is the house of one of the biggest tobacco company in Indonesia. It tells about the story of ups and downs of this company. Originally this house is an orphanage house then was transformed into first Sampoerna tobacco factory. I like the fusion environment of this house. Is mixed from European, Chinese, and East Jakarta Culture. But most of all i like the history behind it, it gives inspiration and motivation. Even if you in hardest situation you can't give up, there's always a way. All you have to do is don't give up and believe. Because of that i believe i still have a chance to go to south Africa someday. Thanks God

Photos: Taman Mini Indonesia

worldjourney — Mon, 5 Sep 2011 13:39:00 GMT

House of worship, little Indonesia

Photos: Old City Jakarta

worldjourney — Mon, 5 Sep 2011 13:32:00 GMT

Old Building

Photos: South Jakarta

worldjourney — Mon, 5 Sep 2011 13:27:00 GMT

Ayodya Parks

Best ways to work, play and stay in Indonesia

worldjourney — Mon, 5 Sep 2011 12:38:00 GMT

I already live in Indonesia since the day i born so from my experience there's a best way lo work, play and stay in Indonesia

Work

Indonesia has a high unemployment rate and in few city the urbanization rate is quite high. So to work In Indonesia it would better if you have a license or work visa in Indonesia. Usually foreigners who come work in Indonesia they teach language (English/mandarin) or have specialization skill for work in mining area or overseas company

For student who is native speaker in some study center (bimbel/bimbingan belajar Indonesian people call it) they can teach as a part timer depends on the regulation of the institute

Play

Indonesia is a multicultural country from one city to another city have their own culture and the way of life. Their so many tribe in Indonesia this happen because Indonesia is an island country, beside that Indonesian culture is an acculturation culture between traditional, European, Middle East and South Asia (India,Chinese) Culture. You can imagine the fusion of the food, there many foods that already adjusted to local taste that you can taste. You can meet's this food in the big city like Jakarta, Jogjakarta, Surabaya and Batam

Indonesia have many beautiful natural sites. The most famous one in the world is the Bali beach but i can say that only one, there also Batam and Bangka beach. My favorite one is the rafting site at Songa Probolinggo( east Java) or citatih river Sukabumi (west Java). If you prefer the mountain you can go to Bromo (east Java), Tangkuban Perahu or Salak Mountain (west Java). Some of the mountain is a natural conservation.

If you in tight budget you can just go to the history site in old city like Jakarta, Jogjakarta or Surabaya. That what i usually do if i want to refresh but don't have the money. Old city like Jakarta and Surabaya have an old building from European and Chinese era in the 17th - 18th century. Some you can feel the European and Chinese atmosphere in this city. It only cost you about Rp 2000 ( Us$ 25 sen) to get in to the museum/old building

Stay

For foreigner who come as backpackers traveler they can stay at jalan Jaksa (center Jakarta), this place have a cheap cost for eat and room. But if you work south Jakarta like Kemang, fatmawati is the place that i recommend. The area have many parks (green area), the food also not expensive, and to rent a quite standard room around Rp 600.000 - Rp 1.000.000 ( about US$ 50 - US$ 100) if you a single. Many foreigners from Japan and Korea also other country live around this area.

5 Things You Must Do In Surabaya

worldjourney — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:00:00 GMT

One of the city that i love most in Indonesia is Surabaya. The city that appreciate the pluralism in Indonesia.

I work there almost for 3 months but that make me know there's 5 thing's you must do if you go to Surabaya

1. The foods

Like Jakarta, Surabaya is also a Harbor city many varieties food in Surabaya from oriental, middle east, European and traditional food of Indonesia. But the good news is the price of the foods is only half of the price in Jakarta. My favorite's food while i live there is bakpao (a Chinese bread) is only cost Rp 2000,-/pcs (about 25 sen), Ote - ote (surabaya traditional food), but best of all is the fish. Because Surabaya is a harbor city the fish is quite fresh, the one i like is the stingray fish it only cost Rp 4000,- per pieces.

2. The Porong Mud Tour

One of the most attracting tourist site that near Surabaya is Sidoarjo, at this site there a big pond of mud that happen because the error drilling that's makes the mud and nature gas come to the surface and make the mud pond. Local people call it Porong Mud Pond.

3. The House Of Sampoerna

This history site is one of the best site that tells about one of the biggest tobacco company in Indonesia and in the world. The original place is an orphanage house then transform by the founder of Sampoerna to become a tobacco factory. From this house the Sampoerna spread their wings around Indonesia .Surabaya still became the headquarters of the Sampoerna

4. Surabaya Madura Free Way (Suramadu)

The free way is have been finished since i move in Surabaya on June 2009, the free way is connected the two island Java and Madura to make transportation become efficient between 2 town. The length of this is about 5.438 m and for right now is the longest one in Indonesia

5. Bromo Mountain

Bromo mountain is one of the biggest mountain in East Java, the place is quite unique even you can said this one of the desert in Indonesia. At the night the temperature is cold but in the afternoon is become hot. If you want to go to Bromo you must do it at 4 am in the morning so you can see the morning sunrise. Is quite beautiful and the air so fresh.

What it means to be Indonesian

worldjourney — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:31:00 GMT

Born as a Chinese descent in Indonesia is have mixed means to me. Indonesia is a beautiful country with many culture pluralism but because of this culture pluralism conflict also happen. Different culture means different point view and principle of life and that make's more hard to join people in same one point of view. I still remember the 1998 race riots in Jakarta, my family almost become the victim in the riot. But thanks Lord Jesus He take's care of us so we survive when that riot happens. On the other hand may uncle lose almost all his belongings but at least his family safe.

After that 1998 culture riots everything get's more better especially since the Abdulrahman Wahid era. He is the first president that let us to celebrate new Chinese year more freely. The Chinese descent in Indonesia is also an Indonesian too so we have the right to have equal treatment. Well for today situations everything already change lot, we feel that we have a more equal treatment in economy, education and opportunity.

Many Indonesian people that a Chinese descent contribute in bringing Indonesian name to be acknowledge in the world. Like prof. Yohanes Surya who educate Indonesian children to participate in Physics Olympic and won the gold medal. Every country have a bright and dark era of it's own. But no matter what Indonesia is big country with many talent's people and the place with many opportunity. I can say that i am proud to be Indonesian's

Photos: Surabaya

worldjourney — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 02:01:00 GMT

5 Things You Must Do In Jakarta

worldjourney — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:03:00 GMT

1. Old City Tour

Jakarta is a harbor city since 484 years ago and already changes it names with Fatahilah or Jayakarta until the last one Jakarta. Many old building's that work as the silent witness for the development Jakarta. Most of this building is influence by European Culture (Nedherlands and British) like Mandiri and Fatahilah Museum), Asian Culture (China and India) like Old China City Building. You can learn the history of early Jakarta in this old city of North Jakarta district.

2. The Foods

Many varieties food in Jakarta from oriental, middle east, European and traditional food of Indonesia. The oriental like china food you mostly found at the old china city of Jakarta, you can found from pork, lizard, snake until fish cuisine at this place. Seafood is one of main cuisine in Jakarta since Jakarta is a harbor town. The traditional Indonesian food like nasi uduk, nasi padang you can found it at many places around Jakarta

3. The House of Worship

Indonesia is one of the most many religious view holders in the world. Jakarta is an urban town because of that people who come to Jakarta also bring their religion view. They build the house of worship to do the ceremony of their religion. You can found Katedral or Immanuel Church for Christian Catholic religion with the 19th century European Architecture. Istiqal Mosque for the biggest Islam religious country in the world with modern architecture. Or the Kelenteng for Confucius religious at old china town with oriental architecture even you can do fortune telling at that place.

4.Car Free Day

If You want stay fit when you do traveling, the best time to do sport is at car free day that twice a month happen in Jakarta. The place is at the main road of Jakarta like Sudirman and Thamrin. People do sport's like walking, cycling, running with the view of morning Jakarta with many tall building's.

5. Shopping

Jakarta is city with the most many malls (shopping center) in the world. You can find many things from cheapest one in the traditional market's, usually at this place you must do bid to get the better price. Until the expensive one in the high class modern market's with fix price.

Photos: Songa Probolinggo

worldjourney — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 01:34:00 GMT

Nature adventure

Best and Worst of Indonesia

worldjourney — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:53:00 GMT

Live in Indonesia there many things you can experience good and bad

I can say the best's of Indonesia:

a. The Foods

In Indonesia you can try food from Sabang until Merauke, this every city have it's unique foods. Some of the food is the adaptation from another culture beside Indonesian culture like chinese, mongolia, nedhertland. This food usually can be found around big city in Indonesia exp: Jakarta, Medan and Bali.

b. Cheap cost living

Some city in Indonesia like Jogjakarta, Purbolinggo, Malang have a daily cost living that quite cheap. When i go to Jogja once i eat with only Rp 4.300,- (US$0.5) and that already quite full with rice and bean curd or tempe.

c. The nature view and adventure

Yes indeed, Indonesia is an island country and every island have every beautiful site. One of the famous one in the world is Bali, sometime people knew more about Bali than Indonesia it self. But not only Bali that have a beautiful view, Songa in Probolinggo is one of the best spot for to do rafting sport. Or Bromo Mountain is the dessert in the middle of east Java.

d. The Weather

Even for last this ten years the weather can't be predict because of the global warming, but Indonesia still have only two seasons. The hot seasons and the rainy seasons, and the temperature is quite stable around 25 C - 35 C. So you will not prepare so many cloth for different seasons.

Even that there still the worst of Indonesia:

a. The Transportation

Indonesia is a big country with the couture of the land have different uniqueness, because of that it can't use only just one of kind of transportation. Like at the Borneo Island the best transportation is through the river because many river sites at the island. Some times the couture in some place make it hard for the government to build the public transport. On the contrary in big city like Jakarta, Surabaya or Medan the problem is the traffic situation. The numbers of the vehicles is already more bigger than the number's of the road.

b. The Public Facility

The public facility usually only well maintained in big city of Indonesia, even there's still some problem. Most of all in the public transportation like bus and train. In the more small area like Kabupaten the maintenance is not that good even sometime is abandoned. So the society also do independence maintenance for their good sakes.

c. The couture of the nature

Because of the couture of the nature there's area that can't be through just one day trip. Not only that we must three time's change different type of transportation to get to the place we want to go. That makes the transportation cost become so high and not affordable.

Photos: Indonesia

worldjourney — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:40:00 GMT

Traffic Jam and night Jakarta

Do's and dont's in Indonesia

worldjourney — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:46:00 GMT

Living and traveling to some town in Indonesia make realize even Indonesia have many different culture, i realize that this every culture have the same value

Do:

1.Bid when buying

Even Indonesia already have many development but there still some of market system is still in traditional way. Many cities in Indonesia still have traditional market and the good things is the price usually more cheaper than modern market. Also many unique things you can found here.

2. Try the local Indonesian Foods

Indonesia is a country that have many cultures so it also effect the varieties of the food. You can try from the sweet, spicy, sour or salt food. Also there is some fusion food that even you can't found in the original place where the food come

3. Do dress politely

Indonesia is the biggest Muslim country in the world, so many the norm's and value is hold by Islam religion.

4. Brought the Indonesian Dictionary

It's better you brought with you the Indonesian Language Dictionary, if you go to the traditional market most of the people who work there they can't speak English. So if you want to bid it would better if you uses Bahasa (Indonesian Language)

Don't:

1. Go at the rush hour around 8am - 9am and around 5 pm - 6pm

Few city in Indonesia is the city with the worst the traffic jam in the world. Sometime the traffic doesn't move at all. So if you have an appointment it would better not at this time.

2. Go in a hurry

I must admit that because some traffic jam situation sometime accident occurred, so it would better if you have some business or meeting you go one hour early just in case if the traffic situation is bad

3. Eat at any place

If you want to eat you must check if the place is clean enough because not all place is meet the healthy standard. You don't want to get sick while you are travelling.

4. Forget the maps

It would be better if you bring map because some place is a hidden treasure and without a map it would be hard to find the location

My Travel Writing Scholarship 2011 entry - Journey in an Unknown Culture

worldjourney — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 01:46:00 GMT

Jogjakarta the city with unique culture, yup at least that what i can say about this city. I still remember when i first come to this city with my best friend. Jogjakarta basically is the same with another big city in Indonesia. But one thing that i feel that this city have different atmosphere. The people they still hold the Javanese tradition (keraton) in their daily activity, how they act and do are the picture of the tradition.
Not only that, the art that they use to express their feeling. Usually when we walk at night to eat at "emperan", their some street musician that sing traditional song with traditional java uniform. They not only sing for their living but also because they enjoy to do it. In another occasion the youngster of Jogjakarta dance and chat (Kongkow) each other in the pedestrian road.
One thing that i most remember is the friendly people of this city and how the express their feeling with art. That make's me learn that even we live in big city is a good thing to be friendly and express our feeling/creativity freely in a positive way