Hundreds of police and health officials stormed Rawasari, central Jakarta, while the thousands of inhabitants scurried from place to place, carrying all they could before the steam shovel destroyed their homes and businesses. Maybe you wonder “why???” It’s simple: the businesses and the houses were there illegally for over 10 years.

It began to rain more. I’m soaked, my hat’s soaked, and my bag’s soaked. Thank God for Canon’s L lenses, which are weather sealed, and B+W Multi Resistant Coating filters that are harder and clearer than glass, and are water and dirt repellent: a true blessing in the heavy rain and heavy dust in the air (due to the demolition).

Hundreds of on-lookers were on the bridges with mobile phone cameras, pocket cameras and video cameras as people splashed in the mud and rising sewer water, carrying anything they could save from demolition. A famous TV reporter was on the scene talking to people. I’ve never seen so many grown men crying.

Chinese ceramics were stored everywhere: under bridges, sitting in the mud, and in the street. The ground around the store was covered in sharp, broken ceramic pieces. My feet got may scrapes, but luckily no deep cuts. People in flip-flops trekked through ankle-deep trashy, muddy waters with arms-full of items. It was a truly harsh scene.

The businesses are extremely successful, albeit illegally built, and filled to the brim with imported Chinese ceramics, vases and such. It’s said Rawasari also has some of the best deals on top-quality rattan furniture. Storeowners stored their expensive vases and goods under the bridges and underpasses. Rattan furniture was sitting in the rain. Even more goods just sat in the mud in the rain, in hopes it was far enough from the buildings so they would not be damaged during the destruction.

Behind the stores, business owners had built a hidden kampong full of rundown buildings, which they rented to dozens of impoverished families for US $15-30 a month for the privilege of living illegally. Most of the men work as trash collectors. All inhabitants were giving just a week’s warning by the government, and offered US $50, to move to other locations.

The kampong inhabitants wanted to accept the money and move, but their business owner landlords wanted to stay and fight, and would not allow their kampong tenants to leave. Because tenants could not leave, they could not accept the money offer. Now their homes are destroyed, and they are out of money.

Children were everywhere. One little boy, who did not live in Rawasari, came from his safe home in the torrential downpour with no umbrella and wearing only a t-shirt and old exercise pants. He was looking for his little friend. He was visibly upset because no one knew where his friend’s family was, and their home was already torn to bits. He just kept walking in the rain with his head down past the broken buildings.

I was less than a meter from all going on. I took photo after photo as the hundreds of officials carrying wands and enforcement sticks stormed the buildings, evacuating people (but not by force, unless absolutely needed). I even walked into the structures with the officers, 2 people behind the leader. Amazing, they allowed me. Maybe my “national geographic” hat and camera made me seem I’m there in an official capacity.

I went everywhere my chubby body could fit. I got hit on the head a few times tiny pieces of wood or pebbles but was quite fine. My friend was terrified to follow some places I went, and called me on my mobile to scream “The steam shovel’s coming! Get out of there!”

I ventured deeper and deeper, finding new places people were hidden and lived. In a panic, they were collecting all of their items into trash barrels to move out. I saw the famous reporter talking to an old woman. People were running out of buildings with items literally seconds before their exits were caved in by the steam shovel. It was a gruesome site.