City of Dreams - An Extraordinary Journey Into 21st Century Jakarta

Imagine living in one of South- East Asia’s largest and least known Cities. a City of unique contrasts- often with a very surreal feel about it. Welcome to the city of Jakarta, in the form of true life short stories, which can amuse, amaze or simply confuse you.

When the Dutch first entered what was formerly called, “Batavia,” they did not realize that they would help create one of Asia’s most unusual and growing cities. When they left after Indonesia won its Independence, the leafy “Dutch- Style” city became the multi-cultural mega- city it is today.

“City of Dreams,” is a collection of true short stories from this strange and often misunderstood city. Stories that may simply amaze, confuse or entertain you, as you enter the soul of this great city.

From what the simple satay seller sees and dreams of as he earns his living selling his food to a motley selection of expatriates, who frequent a late night bar, to the real experience of getting home in one of the cities worse ever recorded floods.

Stories explore the funny side of a cultural divide, when locals prefer skin whitening creams, and even Americanized Indonesians believe in the power of the traditional Indonesian shaman.

You discover what the fuss was about Mike losing his underpants in a laundry, to maneuvering around traffic rules designed to reduce traffic, but creates an opposite effect.

Meet a beautiful educated Indonesian woman, who has everything except she faces the prospect of living alone, simply because she is too westernized, and Indonesian to find the right partner.. Laugh or cry at the predicament of a very moral expatriate faced with the prospect of serious maid problems.

‘The City of Dreams,” has something for everyone, and is a unique, often surreal journey into a much misunderstood city.

City of dreams is published by createspace, and also available through amazon books. A free mini- ebook with stories from the book can be downloaded at the link below.

City of Dreams - An Extraordinary Journey Into 21st Century Jakarta