sorry, Jakarta

So it was the Idul Fitri holiday last week. As always, Jakarta was empty during the holiday, as most of its residents went back to their hometown. The ones left in the city, like me, got to enjoy an empty-traffic free Jakarta. Streets were empty, no traffic, so it was so easy to get around town. Quite a privilege it was.. knowing the usual Jakarta traffic.

Anyway, this morning I woke up so early because I thought the traffic would go back to normal (you know, being Monday, first day after Idul Fitri holiday..), so I left home at 6.45. To my surprise there was hardly any traffic, even I arrived at the office 7.20ish. So I guess most of the people still haven’t come back to the city then.. Good. More days to enjoy the traffic free streets.

Then I told a friend of mine that I love Jakarta when it’s like this. Rather empty, peaceful in a way. I told him that I would enjoy living in Jakarta if this state continued. Because at the moment, Jakarta with its traffic.. not really my slice of pie. I don’t see any reason why I should grow old in this city. Too much stress going on, very little quality of life. I mean, I love metropolitan cities, I’ve always wanted to live in New York and I’ve been to London for a couple of times. London has a lot of gardens, parks, outdoor spaces, where its residents can just relax and chill, a bit escape from their routines. Jakarta? New malls and office buildings are build every day, with only few think of building a proper garden/park.

I told him that I kinda secretly don’t want my future kids to grow up here as well.. I want them to be able to run freely outdoors. I want to take them to the parks on a nice afternoon after I finish my work. Now, the perfect city for me would be… I don’t know. Bournemouth? Lol. Well it’s a beach-side city, rather small and still close to London. Oh.. and New York has it beaches as well.. so it’ll be perfect! :D

Well the thing is, I just want a simple life. I want to enjoy the quality of life.. and I somewhat think that I won’t get that if I stayed in this city. I’m sorry Jakarta but i guess you’re not for me. :(