Maurita has been an amazing host showing both of us around her hometown. First we visited some landmarks like the Monas monument, the Presidential palace, the largest mosque, the cathedral, and the shopping street where people purchased stuff before the arrival of shopping malls. That older part of town is not too clean or shiny; it feels as if it has been forgotten for some 20 years. In fact, these places are not that easy to get to either. Maybe that is why it is very rare to see tourists in Jakarta. Actually, you don't even see pedestrians.
Since shopping malls arrived, -and they did in large numbers-, life happens in those super modern aircon buildings. We had our share and visited 3 of them today. You know how they say "wherever you go, do as the locals do". Well, that's exactly what we did: we spent time in the malls, sheltered from rain and heat. I even bought a new pair of running shoes to replace the muddied ones I used on prior hill-tribe treks.
Tomorrow we'll explore areas outside of Jakarta.
Mercedes
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