The BOLT motto is to travel fearlessly, serendipitously and pennilessly. I have to admit I often fall short on the fearlessly. Especially when planning to visit a new, big city I usually have some anxiety. Jakarta was no exception. There was a bombing here not too long ago and a big taxi strike a few days ago. I read that Jakarta was crowded, polluted and difficult to navigate. All of this became very big in my head.
But we needed to go to Jakarta for our flight out of Indonesia and decided, despite my trepidations, to come for a few days.
Turns out, as usual, that my fears were unfounded. Jakarta is a pretty cool city! Every where we went people were friendly and helpful. We had a great walk from our hotel to the National Monument and Museum, enjoyed some delicious local food and made it back to our hotel, happy, safe and exhausted.
I feel pretty good that, despite my anxiety and fears, I am willing to try new things and explore new cities. I have learned that I can’t rely on negative reviews or opinions. The reality, when I am open to it, is often far different.
I’m sure Jakarta has problems, what big city doesn’t? As a good friend recently reminded me “a life spent in the Crenshaw district has certainly prepared me for anything Jakarta has to offer.”
BOLT: Black Old Lesbians Traveling 