Job Discussion Forums

[sidjameson]

Here's the deal. I lived in Medan 10 years ago. Loved it, but left to earn some real money. I have been TEFLing in Japan for the last 8 years. I am meeting my friend from the UK who always wanted to TEFL but never managed it. He never came to Asia. We have a month in August. I want to show him Indonesia and also try to tempt him into making some plans to move here. I know things change, but I am really hoping that this trip will be an eye opener for the both of us. Japan has been fun for me. The UK fairly tortoreous for my friend. So as part of our trip I hope to spend a few days to a week in one city and try to get a feel for how it would be to live there. We are just normal single guys late 30's who still have a zest for life. What city would you recommend hanging out in?
And if there is any teacher out there who would like to meet up for a beer and compare our respective countries possibly to make contacts, or not, I would be well up for it.
We fly into Jakarta. I have never been before too. Do you think that staying here for a few nights would put my friend off Indo for life?

[ls650]

Opinions really vary on Jakarta. For some reason some people love the place, while others (such as myself) think it's a hellhole. I guess your friend will have to find out for himself.

[uilleannpiper]

Bringing someone to Jakarta who has never been to Indo before runs a real risk they will be turned off Indo for good. Outside of Jakarta is a very different picture. How about easing your friend in by entering through Bali, a trip across Java, ending up in Jakarta?

[TEAM_PAPUA]

I agree. If your friend has no 'Asia' experience, stepping onto the plane in the UK and 12 hours later stepping out of Suck-arno airport might blow his mind - not to mention the murderous drive through the city, then the madness of the inevitable 'night on the town'. However, if you can manage a few days in Bali/Lombok or anywhere on the coast of Java/Sumatra (or a few days in Jogja) he'll see the two sides of Indonesia which keeps most of us here.

I'll be up for a few beers in JKT - anyone else?

[wailing_imam]

Jakarta is just the shock to the system that everyone should have when then enter the East for the first time, and to be fair, compared to somewhere like Delhi, Bombay or Guangzhou, it is really rather mild.

I think that seeing Jakarta first gives one a real oversight into what the country IS. I loved arriving in Jakarta after flying in. Took a DAMRI bus to Blok M, got off and rushed liked a beauty.

One should never underestimate the pleasures of arriving in dusty hell holes.

Jakarta is fine for a couple of days; Sunda Kelapa, Taman Fatahilah, drinking, Stadium, hangover and then the train to Yogya. Excellent introduction to Indonesia.

[philbags]

Some love jakarta and some dont - mostly those that do are single, 30 something guys with a zest for 'life'. depending on what youre looking for , of course , I believe a great deal can be had out of Jakarta but its rather a limited experience.

I have a friend who works in Malang and on my one short visit it seemed really nice; clean, wide streets and you can still get a beer with lunch during ramadhan. if i were to recomend work on Java it'd be there if you could find a good salary.
I heard there are some good job oportunities on Bali - quite high pay ( 15 million rups) but it was the man in the pub who said it so its probly not true.
Hello misterrrrrr.

[uilleannpiper]

[philbags]

hmmm....... doesnt sound like our friend wanted to go THAT native. Just reread original message and realise youre not talking bout working - just hanging out. Try Bandung as youre coming from jakarta - dont be put off by the incredibly horrible area around the train station ; head north through town up to Dago , the further out you get , the nicer it is, downtown bar scene is pretty sleazy; most nights youll find a bunch of efl teachers in the 'Mexican cafe" ( hah!) in jl Pojok - opposite sheraton Hotel jalan dago. its one of the dingiest , brownest pubs on the planet - outside of Bandung ,up in the hills its lovely, you could maybe rent a house for just a month. personally im pretty jaded against bandung but I have great memories of the volcanic hills and HUGE colourful spiders in the banana trees. Check out Selasar Sunario - private art gallery up in the hills.

[guruengerish]

Ha! I remember that Cafe well. I went a few times to socialise, have a snack and a cold beer, but the smoke drove me out. Gawd, some of those English teachers sure are addicted.

It's a nice area up there on the hill, and a few of us had houses further up, in the coolth.

I can't imagine anyone wanting to live and work in Jakarta, after Bandung, out of town Yogya and Malang.

[Winmarr]

Erla's is great for what it is...a warung with beer and decent food. It was just a normal warung until late 1997 when teachers started going there. Nice people run it too...