Not even a week after we got back to Jakarta, and we already had 2 days off from school. I am definitely not complaining, but it sure was an interesting experience to have while being in Jakarta. We got to school on Thursday, and most of the kids did not show up. We didn't know what was going to happen and there was talk of school closing. I actually had at least 21/26 students show up, so I thought for sure we would be staying. But, not long after we gathered in the assembly hall, there was an announcement that everyone was to call their parents and go home. It had rained so much that there was flooding all over Jakarta. The water was very high in places and ruined many people's homes and businesses.
I had never seen anything like this in my life! I thought it was bad when it flooded in WI, but no, this was bad. People were using makeshift boats to get from place to place and there was so many Search and Rescue teams here. They had a big area set up outside of my apartment that had tents where they were giving out water and supplies to the people in the area. The area that I live in was one of the worst areas that flooded. We could not go anywhere! Taksis were not driving by let alone many other cars. The big trucks were still able to drive through the flood waters, so there was still a lot of traffic coming through the area.
Amber and I were getting a little worried since we were getting low on food. We weren't sure what we were going to do. We went to the little convenience store downstairs, but the shelves were empty! I was able to get some juice and a bag of popcorn for a snack. We needed to get the basics: milk, eggs, and bread. Amber tried ordering a taksi, was able to reserve one, but they called back to cancel due to the high flood water. Amber also tried to get a Search and Rescue boat to take us, but they took forever to respond. We ended up meeting a very nice man who owns units in our building that offered to take us. I didn't end up going, but I sent my list with Amber. He only had room for so many people and there were a couple others that wanted to go.
Thank goodness that he was able to take them. Luckily, Carrefour was stocked with food and Amber was able to get most everything that we needed including some bottles of water. We were stocked for a good week.
That same day we did venture outside a little. I didn't really want to walk around in the flood water too much, because it was pretty gross and dirty. I also didn't want it to make me sick. We did walk from our building, which they had blocked off, to the bus way crossing. We had to pass through knee deep water to get across, but we made it! It was so sad to see. People who had homes destroyed were living in the bus way and on the walkway above the street. I took some pictures, but I can't seem to find them. If you have me on facebook you should check them out on there. The locals were all walking around like it didn't even phase them and we were just thinking about how crazy it all was.
After a long weekend of staying in because of the flood waters, it was nice to get back to school the following Monday. The water was lower, but not quite low enough for the travellos, the school vans, to come and pick us up. We had to use the big bus to come and get us for awhile until the flood water went down completely. The area around school looked like it didn't even rain at all. I had heard that the area in Pantai Indah Kapuk was dry!
The flooding is all part of my great experience that I am having here in Jakarta, Indonesia. I think I will be prepared for any other flooding that we get in the future. They said that this was the worst they have had in quite awhile. They have never had flood days from school in the past 5 years or so. I guess I am lucky?! I hope that nothing like this happens again, because so many people were left with nothing and it takes so long for things to go back to normal.
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