23
March,2006
by : Santy
Becak
I decided to join. Am I in the ‘family’ now, Eric? I stumbled into Eric’s blog the other day and asked about joining in. Phew! A picture a day, eh? Well, I’ll give it a try. If I couldn’t stick to the rule then you guys can sack me and give the opportunity to other Jakartans 
Anyway, this first picture isn’t impressive enough for a first post, I think. But I just felt like putting it in. It’s one of our public transportation called a ‘Becak’. Some of you may have been to Jakarta, and probably have tried riding a becak. The man sitting in the passenger’s seat is the driver. He’s parking it in front of a mall close to where I live, which is in Bintaro area of South Jakarta. He will take you places within the neighborhood only. Becaks are not allowed in the freeway. And they only exist in some areas of Jakarta.
They charge very little. Perhaps from around 3,000 - 10,000 Rupiahs depending on the distance (in US$ about 30 cents - 1 Dollar). It is like riding a bicycle, but with a lot of weight there on the front. Especially when they drive people who bring loads of plastic bags after shopping. But these becak drivers never complain. They are struggling for life, trying to get by…in the hot hot city of Jakarta.
You surely are part of the family now Santy! And we’re all happy to welcome you on board - I am sure than many people will be delighted to see photos from Jakarta.
A city daily photo blog can be time consuming but also very rewarding…
All the best.
Best of luck with Jakarta’s Daily Photo! Very nice start actually, love knowing about a (distant) country…
So, the driver sits behind the passenger? Intersting! Welcome to the Daily Photo Family!
Hi and welcome from Akita, Japan. Looking forward to your photos and tidbits about your city!!
Welcome to the Global Family. I love your first picture in your “fast paced” city. It’s a winner.
Apa Khabar? bagus sekali ada teman diseberang laut!
Have fun with your Jakarta Daily.
-KL Daily
Welcome to the family , Santy! Interesting choice of first post..and i look forward to many more
‘Jumpa ‘ Lagi
-Kris , Szentes (Hungary )
Nice first photo Santy! And welcome to the club.
Great photo Santy! I’ve seen this when I was in Jakarta a few months back. I always told myself i’d ride one of those but I’ve always been on a rush whenever i’m there so I haven’t really fulfilled that promise.
Welcome to the family!!
And I’m sure you will keep up with the daily thing…it’s not that hard
Wow! What a warm welcome indeed
Thanks everyone!
Eric: thanks for including me.
Fred: there are lots to discover about the country Indonesia, but yes…Jakarta has a little bit of everything.
Nicola: you should try riding a becak sometime
Midnitebara: thank you! glad to be here!
Jean: Gosh! I didn’t expect anybody would say that. Thanks!!
Edwin: Kabar baik. Senang berkenalan dengan anda.
Fotoaddict: Wow! You speak bahasa Indonesia? That’s great!
Karine: Thank you!
Anne: Thanks, I really hope I can keep up
I’m not from the club ;-P but I’d like to welcome you too to this wonderful blogosphere. I think you’re going to contribute wonderful authentic photos of Indonesia (Jakarta in particular). I’m your fellow indonesian, salam kenal dan saya harap kita bisa berteman di dunia “virtual” ini. Selamat berfoto ria…salam hangat selalu.
Welcome !
Very interesting picture
hello im not your member.. but please let me extend my deep appreciation for Becak.. :
DEAR MY BELOVED BECAK..
I MISS THE WIND BLOWS IN BECAK…THEY ALWAYS WAIT FOR ME WHEN I STEP DOWN FROM ANGKOT, BECAK ALWAYS READY TO DRIVE ME HOME…ONE NIGHT, MY FELLOW BECAK DRIVER, RIDED THE BECAK VERY FAST.. THEY WERE CHASED BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES, AND THEY ARE SO SO AFRAID, SO SCARED. THEY ARE NOT CRIME, BUT GOVERNMENT TREAT THEM LIKE ONE…. AND AS SOON AS THOSE OFFICER TOOK THEIR BECAK, THEY LOST THEIR JOB, I LOST MY FRIENDS, MY OLD DAYS, I THINK I MISS EVERYTHING….
IN THE NAME OF HUMAN RIGHTS, THE BANNED ALL BECAK FROM JAKARTA.. WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO OUR BELOVED BECAK CANNOT BE ACCEPTED AS HUMAN TREATMENT EITHER… ACTUALLY BECAK IS THE ANSWER TO REDUCE TRAFFICK JAMS AND POLLUTION IN JAKARTA.. WITH BECAK PEOPLE MIGHT NOT USE PRIVAT CAR AS MODE OF TRANSPORTATION… UNFORTUNATELY, SOME MORONS WHO CALLED THEMSELVES AS GOVERNOR BANNED BECAK FROM JAKARTA… I JUST MISS2 THEM SO MUCH..
PLEASE SEND MY BEST REGARDS TO ALL BECAK DRIVER/ RIDER…. HOPE TO SEE THEM SOON
BRAVO BECAK!!!!!! I LOVE YOU