PHOTOS TO COME WITH GOOD WIFI
I’m still weakened and a feverish from flu. I’ve got a map showing that the Monument Nasional is within walking distance so that is my plan for today. I’ve only come to Jakarta to exit Indonesia for Singapore. I don’t think many people come here as tourists. There are foreigners but their dressed for work. And where ever I go I don’t see others like me.
It’s late morning and already the day is hot. To avoid getting lost I follow the main highway, with choking consequences. How can a body deal with this pollution day in, day out?
The monument Nasional (or MONAS) is huge. It’s also known as ‘Soekarnos final erection’ and is an architectural extravagance befitting the enormous ego of the former dictator. It stands 132m high in Merdeka Square and made entirely of marble. You can elevate to the top for a view but even in a quiet day like today you can stand in line for an hour. I decline the opportunity. There is a museum in the base if the tower. It it’s Indonesia’s progress through time from the coming of man. Despite this monument being built for and by Soekarno, there is little mention of him in Indonesia’s story. How fickle history can be. As they say, it’s written by the winners.
Merdeka Square is a grand public space around the monument, used for grand occasions or just hanging about. While resting here I meet Yoyo. He is wearing a bear suit. This is how he makes his living for now. He gets paid to have his photo taken with children. Massaging kids’ imaginations earns him about $5 per day. His bear suit cost him $100.
angusmccoll 