British girl

A Blonde Bule Living in Jakarta Where shall I start... Life in Jakarta has been like nothing I have experienced before. Starring- if you are planning on moving to Jakarta and you are a bule (Westerner) prepare yourself for some serious starring and I don't mean a look up and down and a look away or smile if you are caught (like in Britain). I mean stop in their stride, turn around, stand still and stare. They look you up and down and right into your eyes and for as long as they want! There are no smiles to put you at ease! When I first got here, I spent most of the time looking down at the floor- ignorance is bliss! The Newest Spots- everyone here is always looking for the newest and hottest spot- whether this is a restaurant or a nightclub. In Jakarta, there are always new clubs or restaurants opening and as soon as it opens, that is the place to be! Lifts- Be careful here, the rule is get in quick before the doors shut on you and I mean on you! There doesn't seem to be any senses, they just shut on arms, legs and even heads! Also, if you have a push chair or wheel chair or small children, you have to push your way to the front of the queue of people (there is always a queue at the lifts) because if you don't, you are getting the next lift. Once in the lift, prepare yourself for the 'sardines in the can' syndrome. You won't have any room, but just be happy you made it into the lift and good luck with getting out! Maaf! Permisi! (Apologises for incorrect spelling!) Toilets- ok ladies, I wish someone had told me this rule before I got here! When queuing for the toilet cubicle, you don't all line up in one line (like in Britain), you have to choose a cubicle and stick to it and line up outside that cubicle. No one seems to like the sun- as a British girl who loves the sun, you will find your Indonesian friends don't really like to be outside for any length of time. We move from air-conditioned cars, to air-conditioned buildings and that takes me onto... "Mall Rats"- that is how one guy I met here, described himself and friends. "We spend most of our time checking out different malls!" he told me; so if you are planning on living here, the mall will be a big part of your life!