Monday, 3.28
Went running this morning on the beach, which felt good. It’s tough to run on Kuta Beach, though. That place is a GARBAGE DUMP.
The trip I'd booked north to Lovina was canceled by the travel agency and I spent the morning arguing with drivers who wanted to charge me an arm and a leg to get ANYWHERE! I went back to yesterday’s coffee shop and did some internet research over coffee (best yet in Bali) and a pineapple shake. Finally made some decisions and finished packing. Then spent some time chatting with my book store guy on the way out…he offered to take me all over the island on his bike if I came back to Kuta and gave him a day’s warning in advance so he could close his shop.
It was a hot afternoon and my driver insisted that I didn’t want to go to the beach I told him, so he took me to a different one close by. I’m paying a bit more than I’d wanted to, but I did request (and receive) a small discount for booking two nights and paying cash in advance. The tiny Padang Padang Beach is across the street and down the steps: very small and nice but still too much trash and annoying women trying to sell stuff. Had some good rice, though, and spent the afternoon reading in the sun and a little swimming.
Met two boys--Zach and Ty-- who had just finished a year teaching in Bangkok, and we exchanged teaching stories as we watched the sunset. We agreed to meet up and find an ATM/resto or something later, but by the time I showered and left, it was dark. I walked a bit in one direction where the boys had said there might be a village, but the first restaurant I came to said there was nothing further down the road, and the nearest ATM was 15 minutes drive in the other direction! So I walked up that way hoping to catch a ride (where are the “Transport, lady? Transport?s” when you need them?!) but it started raining lightly and by the time I found a transport service at the surf shop it was pouring, so the motorcycle guys invited me to chill with them for a bit til it stopped and I could walk home. On my return I negotiated a giant Bintang from the hotel and watched a bunch of episodes of P&R until I got super sleepy, around 10pm. Amazing how much sleeping I can do here! Yet even though I’m hanging out at this tropic paradise, I can’t seem to fight the anticipation of the next adventure.
Tuesday, 3.29
I snagged some suncream off the boys but by then it was already too late. We spent a solid two hours just in the water, and met another solo traveler from England who just finished two years of teaching in Seoul as well! We had a fun afternoon chilling, talking, and then doubled up on motorcycles to hit up another beach for sunset. Windy there, but clean. We hiked up the hill as dusk slipped out of sight but one motorcycle wouldn't start. Luckily a large, rollicking Canadian rocked up. Eventually we realized that we needed to kick up the kickstand before the motor would start. To celebrate, we all went for dinner (FISH! I've possibly had more seafood since Becca left than I've eaten in the last year). It was fun. But interaction with cool people does give me a somewhat low. Highs, and lows. I kind of feel worthless this week. I feel like I’m not interesting; I have no talents, no particular knowledge of anything, nothing to really contribute to the world. I’ve enjoyed this vacation but it’s been purely self-centered: spending lots of money on myself and lots of unproductive lounging. I know that sometimes we humans need to take a rest, and to rejuvenate ourselves. But it’s been nearly a month now, and I don’t necessarily feel rejuvenated or ready to go home and tackle the world. Well I also feel like leather. A giant, old, wrinkled piece of leather that sat out in too many rains and dried without care. Maybe that just needs a cold shower and a night's sleep.
Wednesday, 3.30
Amazing food, amazing rest, amazing bike, amazing people, amazing FREEDOM.
“April, you’re like an angel with no wings!”
“So, like a person.”
Guess what I'm watching.
Just returned from a delightful dinner which I drove myself to on my motor bike, following Ty and Zach. It was a great ride: up and down dark hills on the quiet coast of deserted nighttime Bali roads. We had the most delicious dinners ever: mine was seafood curry served in half a pineapple shell, with apple crisp and vanilla ice cream for dessert. Absolutely fantastic: and we had a good hour and a half of company conversation as well. It’s nice to talk to them: I think we’ll travel on together from here. I love riding the bike: I wish I’d done more on it, and sooner. Today the mere thought of being in the sun made me sick, so I mostly stayed out of it. We took a morning trip (me on the back of Pruit’s bike, before I rented mine) to Uluwatu Temple: somewhat unexciting but gorgeous Cliffside view of the ocean. Then spent the rest of the day chilling out: rented the bike and found some good internet/coffee in town, then came back for a jaffle and Sprite on the beach but didn’t stay long because the sun and idiot American girls' chatter were collectively giving me a headache. So I watched some P&R and relaxed, then chatted with my Aussie neighbor about surfing and friend desertation while waiting for the boys who never came. Then I walked up the road thinking they’d be at the one local bar, so I had a Bintang and chatted with the bouncer/waiters while waiting: some interesting convo and an invitation to a club this weekend ;) Still no boys, so I went back to my place where they were waiting for me. Dinner, now another Bintang and some more P&R. I should be writing that dang script treatment, but it’s hard to force the creative spirit to revisit that. Maybe yet this week…tomorrow we head inland to Ubud.
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