One Last Day in Jakarta, and One Long Journey Home

A view of Jakarta I captured on camera while at the top of the National Monument.

Jakarta: the bustling capital of Indonesia. Sort of like a twin sister of New York City, but with all of the ASEAN qualities that I've come to love. Oh, but

with a ton more traffic. This was the setting of my last day of my summer adventures.

Ayu had business she had to attend to in Jakarta, and so she took the extra effort to schedule it to correspond with my visit. She appeased my desire to attend to all the generally sightseeing opportunities in central Jakarta and met me that morning at the National Museum; also known as the elephant building.

The front view of the National Museum.

We explored the building in relaxed Ramadan-induced pacing. It was so weird being able to reflect on the history and locations in Indonesia that I had already experienced first hand. There were models of Borobudur and Prambanan that just made me amazed at everywhere I'd gotten to visit during my stay.

This is me in front of an ethnic map detailing Indonesia's diversity at the National Museum.

After the National Museum Ayu, her sister, and I decided to relocate to another significant location near Merdeka Square, the Istiqlal Mosque.

My best picture of the mosque was taken from the top of the National Monument.

The mosque is huge, in fact, it's the largest in Southeast Asia. It's the national mosque and holds a ton of Islamic and Indonesian symbolism in its architecture. Additionally, it holds symbolism regarding the religious diversity in Indonesia for a couple of reasons. First, the designing architect was actually Christian. And Sukarno, one of Indonesia's past presidents, wanted the mosque to be located near Jakarta Cathedral and Immanuel Church to symbolize the religious tolerance and harmony promoted in the Pancasila. You can actually see the cathedral framed between the main part of the mosque and it's minaret in the picture above.

However, inside the mosque tells a different story. After entering Ayu and her sister were stopped by a man at a long desk near the entrance. They chatted briefly and then Ayu retreated toward me seemingly put off and wouldn't immediately explain what just happened. Turns out, they aren't too keen on non-Muslims entering the main floor of the mosque. Ayu and her sister wanted the chance to pray during our visit, however I was not allowed to join them. Additionally, I was not allowed to explore the other areas of the mosque on my own, particularly because I was a single woman. So instead, I got to sit at some chairs near the entrance of the mosque. However, I got the chance to take some selfies with the mosque cat. Which, I'm assuming was also not allowed to venture into the main part of the mosque.

Exile buddies.

I had to wait for Ayu and her sister to finish before I was allowed to explore the specifically allowed areas of the mosque. Aka the balconies above the main area.

The inside's so big it's actually hard to get a decent picture view. So I'm borrowing this one.

Additionally, I had to register myself in the official book of visitors where I was required to log my name, signature, and religious affiliation. And then I had to wear a batik robe denoting my obvious foreign status as I walked around.

In my special attire on the balcony overlooking the main floor.

It was strange being segregated inside the mosque, and in the national mosque no less! I'm not mad or upset, only a little disappointed. The rest of Indonesia is wonderful at promoting the beautiful diversity in religion that the region holds, and has always welcomed me regardless of religion. I've broken fast during Ramadan at a mosque, attended a Javanese Catholic worship service, bathed in spiritually holy Hindu pools, and climbed the seven levels to Buddhist nirvana at Borobudur. And yet, despite being educated on the history of Islam, studying the Qur'an, and speaking Arabic, I am still unfit to walk in certain areas of the national mosque that supposedly embodies the religious pluralism of the region.

But after our visit we crossed the street to the previously mentioned Jakarta Cathedral. Although they were technically not open at the time, the church was physically open due to preparations for that evening's mass. So they let the three of us go in and look around on our own.

The inside of the cathedral.

One of my favorite pictures of the day, particularly significant to me due to our earlier experience, was this one I took of Ayu's sister lighting a prayer candle in the cathedral right after praying at the mosque. This is the representation of Indonesia that I love.

Afterword I got to meet up and break the fast with some of Ayu's friends from university, who are such a cool group of people.

A collage of our dinner shenanigans.

It was such a fun reunion that I hardly realized that I was minutes away from catching my taxi out of Jakarta. Before the night was through I pulled up in a aptly-timed thunderstorm to my hotel where I would be spending my last few hours in Indonesia. I had booked my reservation in a local hotel chain due to lower prices, however what I didn't realize is how that would lead to the workers speaking the local language.... duh. So after a very short flash of concern, it was rewarding being able to check in, converse with the front desk workers, and pre-arrange to have a taxi waiting for me all in my recently acquired bahasa. Another guest, a mid-aged Indonesian woman, was checking in right before me and upon hearing my use of bahasa before she entered the elevator, rushed back to me, hugged me, and kissed me on the cheeks thanking me for having the interest in her country and culture to learn the language. It was sort of off putting, but charming nonetheless.

With my adventures at a close, I prepared to depart. Before sunrise the next day I was plane-bound to Tokyo, then Newark, then Buffalo, and then accidently to Rochester, before finally making it home. 34 hours of travel, well worth my 8 weeks of summer adventures.

The Tokyo Airport Isn't in Tokyo

My connection to Tokyo did not leave on time. In fact, it left hours later than it should have. Precious hours I spent Snapchating my sorority Little and chatting up cute Marines. However, those extra hours were not so helpful in my attempt to make my connecting flight. I touched down at the Tokyo airport roughly 15 minutes before my next flight took off. So there, at the end of the deplaning area, were airport agents prepared with new flights and complimentary hotel stays.

That’s how I ended up at Hotel Nikko Narita. Which is directly next to the Tokyo airport. Which, ironically, is two hours from Tokyo. Even downtown Narita is 30 minutes from the Narita hotel. So what I was hoping to be a night in Tokyo ended up as a night in the Hotel Nikko Narita. But Japan has been kind of an amazing place for me in the fact that I’ve never felt less alone than when I’m wandering around in Japan. Last year I met a sorority sister. However, this year I met brothers; triplets in fact, joined on their trip by their half sister and her boyfriend. They too missed the flight to Jakarta. So we bussed over to the hotel where we got assigned to our respective rooms and then met up for our complimentary dinner.

We got acquainted fast and found out that they’re actually from a town right near where I used to live in Massachusetts. I kid you not, I was discussing mutual friends from middle school with near strangers in Japan. Before long we were following up our dinner at the hotel’s sky lounge, which played a strange array of smooth jazz over the leather booths and near-skyscraper view of the airport and surrounding city.

My newly acquainted friends at the hotel.

However, even nights in Tokyo must come to an end, and we departed back to our rooms. Which I feel is interesting enough it deserves its own commentary. Here’s a picture of my little room:

200% of the recommended nightly dose of bed.

But here’s the really cool part:

I know by now you probably just think I really enjoy photographing Japanese toilets (see last year's post), but look closer…

Yeah. My private toilet has adjustable butt warming capabilities.

But wait, there’s more! For the same price as Everything’sFreeDueToUnited, you get…

Actually drinkable water!

And look at the photo of the beds again.

That’s right. You can control all the lights in the room from the comfort of your bed. Best free hotel room ever. Plus I can get a break between my 14 hour and my 8 hour flights. And complimentary breakfast.