August 31, 2006 - Comfy Sofa

A comfy sofa in a cafe where I got together with friends yesterday.
I like the background picture as well.

It’s nice to hang out with friends once in a while, just to chill and have a good time. It’s one of those things that I sometimes couldn’t find the time.

Comments (6) about Comfy Sofa ... posted by Santy

August 30, 2006 - No Littering Please!

Tanty from Stavanger Daily Photo hasn’t been back home to Jakarta for quite some time. She saw my yesterday’s post and hoped that Jakarta is now clean all over. Well, I must admit that it’s not as clean in some areas. It’s still quite a struggle to educate environment awareness to the local people’s minds. As you can see in the picture, there are many plastics, papers and other garbage thrown out to that empty land. I pass this street everyday on my way home and the condition is pretty much the same day in day out. Some people grumbled about how ignorant the government is that they didn’t fix this. But I believe that being clean and care for the environment need to come from every individuals.

And I mean every individuals including those riding fancy BMWs! Because I still find some of them opening their car windows and throwing cigarette buts, plastics, etc on the streets. (for you BMW riders, please don’t get upset. I’m not generalizing. I know there are also many wealthy environmentally aware citizens in Jakarta.)

As for me, I confess that I never join the monthly cleaning in my neighborhood, but at least I never litter

Comments (12) about No Littering Please! ... posted by Santy

August 29, 2006 - Mahakam Street

This is Mahakam street in south Jakarta. Many cars here park for different reasons. On the left side, there’s a drug store, money changer, dry cleaner, Grand Mahakam hotel. On the right side you’ll find various restaurants, music store and a couple of banks. Quite a busy street.

Comments (6) about Mahakam Street ... posted by Santy

August 28, 2006 - Taxes

This sign says ‘wise men pay taxes’. I took this picture because me and my friends just happened to discuss about people who own big businesses and cover it up to avoid paying large amount of tax. A tiny room located in a very dark and filthy apartment, on a small alley so hard to find. Inside are two computers with files scattered all over the place. Who would’ve thought the two guys there are making hundreds of millions rupiah by designing sophisticated sailboats! Their company was licensed as a small business, they don’t have a fancy office building and therefore pay a small amount of tax. I’m sure this type of cover up happens everywhere.

Knowing the difficulty of getting a job or opening business through a normal way, would you say it’s only fair for them to do this? That you don’t need to be a too honest citizen to your government? I’d certainly couldn’t sleep at night. And maybe that’s why I’m not making hundreds of millions rupiah

Comments (6) about Taxes ... posted by Santy