Wow.  Jakarta, Indonesia’s massive capital, sits on the northwest coast of the island of Java. The mix of cultures spans centuries – Javanese, Malay, Chinese, Arab, Indian and European – and they have all influenced its architecture, language and cuisine.

Indonesia is the world’s fourth largest country in population – over 260,000,000 people – and the world’s largest muslim nation. It’s the world’s seventh largest economy but ranks only 23rd in per capita income. Five percent of the population owns 49% of its wealth. Not a recipe for long term happiness or success…..

Jakarta is incredibly dense and poor, but the traffic is mellower than in Bali. You still take your life in your hands when crossing a street, but there are openings here and there that you feel you can survive by going for it.

By the way, Indonesia makes a really good beer – Bintang Pilsner – that has been a joy to cool off with this week. Paul – it’s almost as good as Bud. You’d love it.

I walked ten miles (maybe more) today, pretty much freelancing around and throughout the city, and was overwhelmed by its grittiness and poverty. Having said that, everyone was really friendly. Calls of “Meesta” rang out everywhere I went, and smiles and small talk then ensued.

Here are some photos of what I saw:

Dinner anyone?

This floored me. These folks were cleaning out the sewers by hand. Yikes.

Contemplating the day.

Water purification in action, the old fashioned way….

This reminded me of the scenes in The Deer Hunter before the soldiers were lowered into the river….

Catnap.

This little boy was adorable, working alongside his father.

Schoolgirls after class. They were so excited to see a westerner.

Catchin’ some zzzzzs… Amazing.

Not the nicest ‘hood.

Pretty sure he was alive, but wouldn’t bet on it.

Young ladies at a little restaurant I ambled into.

The food here is absolutely incredible. Some of the best anywhere I’ve been. I just ate fantastic seafood – different fish, octopus and shrimp, for an hour at dinner, until I really couldn’t eat anymore – and the bill (including tip) was $3.70. Seriously. May have to start dieting…

Today’s lesson – be grateful. These people have so little – almost nothing – and they’re moving through the river of life with grace. I didn’t see a lot of smiles today, but I also didn’t feel any anger or resentment, and I walked through some pretty tough neighborhoods. Powerful lesson indeed.