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essays | places | Indonesia

Jakarta / Beautifully Ugly

well worth the visit: inner beauty and authentic travel

 

   Well, Jakarta, there is no easy way to say this, but you didn’t make it into my Top 10. Or the Top 50, or the top, or even just the list. But then again, you know that I disdain these lists and that I just made this one up to tease you. You’re alright Jakarta. Sure, you are no Paris, but why would you be, or want to be? I'm sorry if I'm getting under your skin here, but see, that's exactly where I want to be. For yours isn’t a superficial Paris-beauty; yours is an underneath-beauty. And for those who look at you with kinder, more curious, and patient eyes, you wear that prettiness inside out.