Dear Readers,
On the fourth and final day of our trip, we again enjoyed the buffett breakfast. The day before, a Sunday, the place had been deserted. Today the place was packed. The hotel had turn over and a new crowd had arrived over night. We packed up our stuff and headed for the beach.
The same crowd of beggers that had plagued us the day before was waiting on us again. Steve offered to buy one bracelet and that's when everything crashed. They all started screaming, touching us, asking for everyone to get paid because it wasn't fair that we bought from only one. Steve didn't even have enough money to pay them what they demanded for a trinket. I got up and left. They waited. Steve left to get more money from the hotel. They waited. Steve came back and they demanded more, more, pay everyone or else. I left again. He got nasty and they finally left. It left a bad taste in our mouths. Never give in. You can't do something nice. It's never enough. You should do nothing. Isn't that sad? As a Christian, that hurts.
We got back to the hotel and ate lunch at Mcdonalds again. The tour guide picked us up for the final trip to the airport.On the way he took us by the place where the Taliban had killed 200 people at a nightclub. There's a memorial in the hole now with all the names listed. Funny. The US and Bali both have holes with memorials. We share a common experience of tragedy.
We had to pay 300,000 indonesian money to get out of Dodge. They get you coming and going. Funny but the same crowd we came to Bali with were on the plane on the way back. Still late.
We all had the same package-Bali Free and Easy. It wasn't free or easy. But it was fun.
Next, we are leaving for Cambodia shortly. When I went to change the Indonesian money to Cambodia money, they said they never did that. No one in Singapore sold it-it was that useless. Only American dollar excepted. That tells you something about the country. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Bali Day Three-The Beggars come
Dear Readers,
On Day three in Bali High we got up and ate again at our free buffett. Same stuff. At least in Thailand, they tried to surprise us every morning. No surprises in Bali. We decided to head for the beach-yeah. We weren't optismistic. The post cards lie. We loaded up our beach towels and walked down the drive way past the sleeping guards to the beach across the street. The wall that separates the beach from the road is under construction. It's been leveled and there was mounds of rubble, stones, and reinforcement wire blocking our way. We did like everyone else-we stepped over it (climbed the mound) and descended to the beach. Here we found ourselves in the land of the beggers. They arrive early, squatting in camps, planning their attack on the tourists. "Want to buy . . ." We were told to say no thank you as a mantra. It will protect you they told us. The beach was nice, blue, clean. Not even a dead fish. People were surfing, no swimming in the rip tides, life guards who didn't speak English. They just blew their whistles and pointed. The tourists ignored them-they were French, German, or Russian. Those with tattoos were Australia. You could tell the European girls-they took their tops off.
Our guide later explained to us why there wasn't any trash. Yes, we dump our trash in the ocean he said. But it doesn't come back until March. This is the best time to come. What do we do in March? Why we pick up the trash and ship it back out to sea. It comes back the following March. Problem solved.
We actually got sunburned alittle that morning on the beach. For lunch we packed up and went to McDonalds across the street. Yes, we eat in the fast food places in every country. Was it different than Thailand? Well, in Thailand there were those spinach and mushroom turnovers. In Bali there were Kiwi sundas. Seating was hard to come by. A Bali dog had one seat-we let the sleeping dog lie. The good news is the food was the same. After lunch we headed back to the hotel where we tried out the various pools they had. They had a large pool for swimming (or surf lessons as we found out), a small pool with waterfalls. A pool with sand on the bottom and a sand island to go along with it. Before long it was time to change and get ready for our sea temple tour on the very end of the island.
We met our tour driver Mika and drove out of town-took forever. Then we climbed attitude to the where the sea temple is. Again, to respect the temple we put on skirts to cover our legs and most important of all, took off our eyeglasses and earrings. You see there are a large population of monkeys at the temple who are considered guardians. They rip eyeglasses off your face. There were warnings posted in every language and yet we witnessed the monkeys descending on a Chinese boy, rip off his glasses, jump on the roof, rip them in half, chew on the lens and toss the remains in the sea. No Joke. I respected those monkeys. i would have thrown the whole lot in the sea if I could have-eco system or not. They were nasty! We took a long walk down the edge of the cliff (looked like Ireland there) and paused in a field to watch the sun set. It was nice (expcept for ants up my skirt). Then we went back to the hotel to find some dinner. We ended up back at the hotel eatery by the pool. There was just two families there-all tattooed Australians. A so called terrible Mariachi band came down to play and dance with the kids. They came over personally to play for us (you shouldn't have, really!) and I told them it was Steve's birthday. Happy Burst Day to You they played over and over until the staff provided a piece of cheesecake with a candle on it. One of the native looking guys said he was from Brooklyn. Of Yeah, i said, chased out of your own country? A Mariachi band in Bali? I couldn't believe it.
So ended our third very interesting day in Bali.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Oh I forget the best part
On the second day we also stopped by a coffee/tea plantation where we got to see coffee plants, cocoa plants, nutmeg, ginger, and all kinds of stuff. They keep mongooses in cages. Why? they ate the coffee, poop it out, and the people make a special coffee out of the poop. I am not kidding. It's terribly expensive. We didn't try it, only the other teas. It's something Bali is famous for. No thanks, I said. I thought I would rather be known for something better than coffee poop.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Bali Take Two
Dear Readers,
I just learned that you can't add text once you've added pictures first. I tried my best but couldn't get the text added. So you will have to look at the pictures after you read this.
Day Two in Bali. After a night of no sleep, I went to the buffet breakfast that the hotel provided. It was a strange combination of American, English, and Japanese food. Some Singaporean thrown in too. One day when they ran out of baked beans for the Australians, then subsitituted green beans and thought no one would notice. The donuts were good. The staff played with the children and helped them carry their food. I thought that was a nice touch. All day Japanese tours rolled in.
We met our tour guy (now dressed in local custom) for our tour. The company had messed up the tour I had paid for and we decided to go on a completely different tour. Instead of a half day tour, we got a full day. First we drove out of the town and up toward the highlands where rain drifted in and out of black clouds. The only sign of civilization was in the town. As we drove on, houses became shacks, buildings devoid of windows, people sleeping practically on the road. One electric line wound up the mountain until I finally saw it draped through tree branches and not on poles at all. People traveled on motorcycles with no helmets. They bought gas in glass bottles (illegally). there are no real laws here, you must understand, the goverment makes the laws for all the people but it is up to them if they want to follow them or not. Everything can be debated and people pay their way out of anything.
Why is Bali so poor when Indonesia has large oil and natural gas reservoirs? Greed, explained the guide. No money makes it to Bali. It ends up in someone's pocket. School is mandatory until 9th grade. College is only for hotel and tourism business. The Hindu caste system is alive there and so people are forced by society to remain in the miserable lot they were born into. Also, the people spend all their lives saving up pennies to paid for their relatives' cremations. I can't overstate how much their religion controls their lives. This is another example of how religion can suppress progress and keep people living as though it was still the 10th century AD. It's extremely sad. Education is supposed to be available to everyone and is available to no one. The money to build schools is in someone's pocket.
We stopped at a silver store on way to the volcano and bought some Christmas presents. chickens were everywhere. By the way, they keep cocks in baskets for the cock fights in the temples. Betting is allowed for three times, after that they can be arrested. Supposedly these cock fights are tied to religion. By the way, there is a Bali dog, one kind many colors. People eat the puppies on occasion (there's too many and they carry rabies). What I found interesting about this dog is that the people refuse to feed their dog. They are sent out to find their own food so that's why the garbage is so little. The dogs eat it. At night they wander home.
We stopped by Elephant Cave Hindu Temple. This temple (9th century) was recently destroyed by a volcano eruption. They dug it out and restore some of it. The monks and priests had carved their statues right out of the lava. Now I had to wear a purple cloth tied around my waist to respect the temple gods. I also had to say I wasn't having my period. (like they would know!) Anyway, we respected the temple, put on our skirts and off we went to visit with the Hindu gods. They had three wooden sticks they were making offerings to in the cave. I about lost it. These sticks represent the trinity (Shiva, Vishnu, and Someone Else). They place skirts on the idols and sometimes little umbrellas on their heads. The black and white material symbolizes ying and yang. There was a Buddhist temple on the other hill for those who were alittle rebellious.
The volcano was huge, fog on top. It is still active and you can see the lava flows over the land in 2000. It's been quiet for ten years. People plant tomatoes and peppers and chilis and corn on the lava soil whereever they can. There's a hotel with a hot spring at the base and Steve took a dip in the water. Then we were served lunch steamboat style. They took a pot of boiling water and added stuff like eggs, vegetables, beef, chicken, noodles and gave us a bowl of rice. I was alright with the coke and rice.
On the way back we stopped by a batik shop (they make the fabric in Indonesia) and bought some for quilting. We also picked up some wood carvings. In the end I enjoyed stopping by a art shop where they had beautful large canvas paintings in all styles. I just like to look.
It was late when we got back to our hotel. We opted for pizza hut where we had a pizza with corn on it. Why corn you ask? Because they grow it? They also had hot dog pizzas. I passed. I asked my tour guide who is obviously Hindu why suckling pig is such a hit here. Aren't they supposed to be against eating any kind of meat. No so, he said. Their particular branch eats meat including pick. If you eat beef, throw some rice on your head before going to the temple. You are forgiven. I see, I said. The cows still wander free in the street, even in town. That's Okay, Mika said, we can eat them later. Alright. I said. Hinduism sure is flexible.
That was the end of the second day.
I just learned that you can't add text once you've added pictures first. I tried my best but couldn't get the text added. So you will have to look at the pictures after you read this.
Day Two in Bali. After a night of no sleep, I went to the buffet breakfast that the hotel provided. It was a strange combination of American, English, and Japanese food. Some Singaporean thrown in too. One day when they ran out of baked beans for the Australians, then subsitituted green beans and thought no one would notice. The donuts were good. The staff played with the children and helped them carry their food. I thought that was a nice touch. All day Japanese tours rolled in.
We met our tour guy (now dressed in local custom) for our tour. The company had messed up the tour I had paid for and we decided to go on a completely different tour. Instead of a half day tour, we got a full day. First we drove out of the town and up toward the highlands where rain drifted in and out of black clouds. The only sign of civilization was in the town. As we drove on, houses became shacks, buildings devoid of windows, people sleeping practically on the road. One electric line wound up the mountain until I finally saw it draped through tree branches and not on poles at all. People traveled on motorcycles with no helmets. They bought gas in glass bottles (illegally). there are no real laws here, you must understand, the goverment makes the laws for all the people but it is up to them if they want to follow them or not. Everything can be debated and people pay their way out of anything.
Why is Bali so poor when Indonesia has large oil and natural gas reservoirs? Greed, explained the guide. No money makes it to Bali. It ends up in someone's pocket. School is mandatory until 9th grade. College is only for hotel and tourism business. The Hindu caste system is alive there and so people are forced by society to remain in the miserable lot they were born into. Also, the people spend all their lives saving up pennies to paid for their relatives' cremations. I can't overstate how much their religion controls their lives. This is another example of how religion can suppress progress and keep people living as though it was still the 10th century AD. It's extremely sad. Education is supposed to be available to everyone and is available to no one. The money to build schools is in someone's pocket.
We stopped at a silver store on way to the volcano and bought some Christmas presents. chickens were everywhere. By the way, they keep cocks in baskets for the cock fights in the temples. Betting is allowed for three times, after that they can be arrested. Supposedly these cock fights are tied to religion. By the way, there is a Bali dog, one kind many colors. People eat the puppies on occasion (there's too many and they carry rabies). What I found interesting about this dog is that the people refuse to feed their dog. They are sent out to find their own food so that's why the garbage is so little. The dogs eat it. At night they wander home.
We stopped by Elephant Cave Hindu Temple. This temple (9th century) was recently destroyed by a volcano eruption. They dug it out and restore some of it. The monks and priests had carved their statues right out of the lava. Now I had to wear a purple cloth tied around my waist to respect the temple gods. I also had to say I wasn't having my period. (like they would know!) Anyway, we respected the temple, put on our skirts and off we went to visit with the Hindu gods. They had three wooden sticks they were making offerings to in the cave. I about lost it. These sticks represent the trinity (Shiva, Vishnu, and Someone Else). They place skirts on the idols and sometimes little umbrellas on their heads. The black and white material symbolizes ying and yang. There was a Buddhist temple on the other hill for those who were alittle rebellious.
The volcano was huge, fog on top. It is still active and you can see the lava flows over the land in 2000. It's been quiet for ten years. People plant tomatoes and peppers and chilis and corn on the lava soil whereever they can. There's a hotel with a hot spring at the base and Steve took a dip in the water. Then we were served lunch steamboat style. They took a pot of boiling water and added stuff like eggs, vegetables, beef, chicken, noodles and gave us a bowl of rice. I was alright with the coke and rice.
On the way back we stopped by a batik shop (they make the fabric in Indonesia) and bought some for quilting. We also picked up some wood carvings. In the end I enjoyed stopping by a art shop where they had beautful large canvas paintings in all styles. I just like to look.
It was late when we got back to our hotel. We opted for pizza hut where we had a pizza with corn on it. Why corn you ask? Because they grow it? They also had hot dog pizzas. I passed. I asked my tour guide who is obviously Hindu why suckling pig is such a hit here. Aren't they supposed to be against eating any kind of meat. No so, he said. Their particular branch eats meat including pick. If you eat beef, throw some rice on your head before going to the temple. You are forgiven. I see, I said. The cows still wander free in the street, even in town. That's Okay, Mika said, we can eat them later. Alright. I said. Hinduism sure is flexible.
That was the end of the second day.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Bali High!
We went to Bali for a weekend of fun
Relaxation , time in the sun
We found a volcano with fog at the top
But couldn't get home unless we promised to shop!
Tis the Bali way!
Dear Readers,
In honor of Steve's birthday, we booked a four day trip to Bali. Ever see South Pacific? Well, it's not like that anymore. If Ever. No one sang anything. Bali is in Indonesia, a recent country that forced together a bunch of islands and called it a nation. Some of the islands were Okay with that, some weren't. See, Indonesia struggles with religion. It's 95 per cent Muslim and would like to force everyone else to comform to Islamic law. Bali is 90 per cent Hindu. They won't conform. It's a bad boy.
Bali is also in the ring of fire. We saw many large volcanoes as we flew in. We had to pay $25 each to get in and 30,000 rpm (indonesian money) to get out. They called it a departure tax. When we got off the plane, we were ushered into a LARGE line that didn't move for a hour supposedly emigration check. They barely had anyone working. As we moved up, more of the custom people disappeared. People were ticked as more and more travelers got off planes and were in line. This is the hallmark of Indonesia. Inefficiency and corruption. We weren't in line five minutes before an employee approached us and asked if we would like to get through the line faster (for a price). We are never sure why we are singled out (in our disheveled shorts) to get fleeced but we must seem rich compared to all the other white people there. Is it my Walmart shoes? My Kmart shirt? What exactly gives us away that we are secret lottery winners? We told them no, go away, we'll wait. And wait we did. When we finally got to the custom guy, the one next to him closed up shop and walked away. I was looking at the angry crowd and a lady's frustrated face said it all. I started to snicker but my husband shoved me (secret sign to shut up before we get arrested). I compiled.
We found our tour guide right away. He was the one holding up the sign that said :Huffer Steven.son. For the rest of the tour, Steve was called Mr. Stevenson. He never got it right. We were delivered to our hotel-Hard Rock after about twenty minutes. Bali is not like Thailand. The roads are narrow, driving is dangerous (lunacy actually). Three lanes mashed into one lane with no stop lights. Motorcycles ride on sidewalks dodging pedestrians like bowling pins. Chaos reigns. Police are nonexistent in Bali and they don't need them. They solve their differences by a game of chicken. The traffic slowed and we realize the guys up ahead were actually pushing a van that had broken down. Pushing it down the street like it was going somewhere. When we got to the hotel, the guards checked our van for bombs with a bomb detector. You see Bali was bombed several years ago and over 200 people (mostly Australians) died. Bali people weren't happy. It ruined their tourist industry (their only industry) and they still blame the Muslims for the stupidity of the whole thing. The guards were also supposed to check people on foot going in the hotel. You had to have you room key around your neck. I noticed they did this only half the time. The rest of the time was spent smoking and joking with the other guards.
Our room was nice, the bed a rock. There was a sign that said don't drink the water. We used the bottled water that was provided and also bought more in the shop. The pools were fantastic. The TV was just like Singapore's (shows three or four years ago were on). Nothing remotely recent. At the airport we watched I Dream of Genie and the Golden Girls (aren't they all dead except Betty White) in the emigration line. We ended up eating in the Hard Rock Cafe where the music was deafening and rock videos were going all the time. We didn't go back. The hotel was billed as a family resort but they have a large band every night where many people (Japanese singles go to drink and party all night. We could hear it in our room. But they stopped after a while. By midnight they were all wasted and heading for bed.
So ended our first night in Bali.
Relaxation , time in the sun
We found a volcano with fog at the top
But couldn't get home unless we promised to shop!
Tis the Bali way!
Dear Readers,
In honor of Steve's birthday, we booked a four day trip to Bali. Ever see South Pacific? Well, it's not like that anymore. If Ever. No one sang anything. Bali is in Indonesia, a recent country that forced together a bunch of islands and called it a nation. Some of the islands were Okay with that, some weren't. See, Indonesia struggles with religion. It's 95 per cent Muslim and would like to force everyone else to comform to Islamic law. Bali is 90 per cent Hindu. They won't conform. It's a bad boy.
Bali is also in the ring of fire. We saw many large volcanoes as we flew in. We had to pay $25 each to get in and 30,000 rpm (indonesian money) to get out. They called it a departure tax. When we got off the plane, we were ushered into a LARGE line that didn't move for a hour supposedly emigration check. They barely had anyone working. As we moved up, more of the custom people disappeared. People were ticked as more and more travelers got off planes and were in line. This is the hallmark of Indonesia. Inefficiency and corruption. We weren't in line five minutes before an employee approached us and asked if we would like to get through the line faster (for a price). We are never sure why we are singled out (in our disheveled shorts) to get fleeced but we must seem rich compared to all the other white people there. Is it my Walmart shoes? My Kmart shirt? What exactly gives us away that we are secret lottery winners? We told them no, go away, we'll wait. And wait we did. When we finally got to the custom guy, the one next to him closed up shop and walked away. I was looking at the angry crowd and a lady's frustrated face said it all. I started to snicker but my husband shoved me (secret sign to shut up before we get arrested). I compiled.
We found our tour guide right away. He was the one holding up the sign that said :Huffer Steven.son. For the rest of the tour, Steve was called Mr. Stevenson. He never got it right. We were delivered to our hotel-Hard Rock after about twenty minutes. Bali is not like Thailand. The roads are narrow, driving is dangerous (lunacy actually). Three lanes mashed into one lane with no stop lights. Motorcycles ride on sidewalks dodging pedestrians like bowling pins. Chaos reigns. Police are nonexistent in Bali and they don't need them. They solve their differences by a game of chicken. The traffic slowed and we realize the guys up ahead were actually pushing a van that had broken down. Pushing it down the street like it was going somewhere. When we got to the hotel, the guards checked our van for bombs with a bomb detector. You see Bali was bombed several years ago and over 200 people (mostly Australians) died. Bali people weren't happy. It ruined their tourist industry (their only industry) and they still blame the Muslims for the stupidity of the whole thing. The guards were also supposed to check people on foot going in the hotel. You had to have you room key around your neck. I noticed they did this only half the time. The rest of the time was spent smoking and joking with the other guards.
Our room was nice, the bed a rock. There was a sign that said don't drink the water. We used the bottled water that was provided and also bought more in the shop. The pools were fantastic. The TV was just like Singapore's (shows three or four years ago were on). Nothing remotely recent. At the airport we watched I Dream of Genie and the Golden Girls (aren't they all dead except Betty White) in the emigration line. We ended up eating in the Hard Rock Cafe where the music was deafening and rock videos were going all the time. We didn't go back. The hotel was billed as a family resort but they have a large band every night where many people (Japanese singles go to drink and party all night. We could hear it in our room. But they stopped after a while. By midnight they were all wasted and heading for bed.
So ended our first night in Bali.
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Quilt Nazi
I met a new friend at quilting class
Her name is Annette, a Virginian at last
We went to a wet market, new sights I saw
Eating fish cakes in front of the pig organ stall
Dear Readers,
Since it was raining down at the pool, I thought I would blog. You did know that Singapore is the lightening capital of the entire world-more lightening strikes here than anywhere in the world. It's the loud thunder that bothers me. I am the only one that gets out of the pool when that starts. I guess it's unlikely that I would be struck where I am-surrounded by high rises but I was struck before in my mother's house. Kids swim through the storms ignoring. to the thunder and lightening that goes on here. I go do something else.
Last week I went to my quitling class down at the Tanglin Mall. Yes, it's too hot for quiltsing in Sinagpore but they do it anyway as well as knit sweaters. I have never figured it out. I spent a small fortune on material (knowing that they make it in the next country for nothing!) and went to class with Ira. Ira is a quilt nazi. She even called herself that. I should be at home because my mother's name is also Quilt Nazi (she doesn't know it). I couldn't even cut out my templates to suit her. She yelled at another lady, "You're not listening to me! Do as I say. Do it now!). I was explaining to her that I came from a farm in rural Virginia. The lady beside me said she had been to Staunton before. It was bigger than her town-Blacksburg! I was blown away. What a small world. Instant bonding.
I guess it wasn't just a random act though. Her husband was a engineer from Celanese, rayon plant. Like Invista where my husband works, they closed it down, fired the people, and promptly moved to China. They had no choice but to move to Singapore so they sold their house, grabbed their dog and obese cat, and started over. Her husband works part time in China as does mine. "Net" suggested I take a taxi and come to her apartment. I did and met her kids and live in maid (she needed someone to walk the dog). What an apartment-four levels and beautiful. And large but not central to anything. She has to take a taxi everywhere she goes. She wanted to take me to a near by wet market. A wet market is an open air market where they sell meat, fruits, vegetables, and local cuisine. Here I got see pig organs, duck andchickens with their heads on, lots of stuff I couldn't identify, and sugar cane juice. I even ate lunch there in the heat-I'll let you know if I experience side effects like food poisoning. Net warned me not to eat there in the late afternoon. Chickens get ripe then. I swore I never would.
I ran into Tammy my neighbor who wanted to know how my date with Net went. Steve is worried about my "dates" with various friends. I told him he has nothing to worry about. My play dates are fun! Anyway, Net has offered to show me the ends and out of Sinagporean life. Where the cheap stuff is and the bargains can be found. I have a lot of learn.
A sheik has moved in the building. It's interesting to see how a man in a white sheet lowers himself to live here in the apartments. I call him Lawrence. This week a bumper crop of newbies showed up at the pool, some Australians, some Indians, and assorted "others". Business is looking up. Our 3000 a month two bedroom apartment has gone up to 11,000 a month (Invista informed us). Wow. Net's apartment though runs 8500 a month plus electricity and water. Location Location. Net doesn't get a free shuttle to the mall, have her groceries delivered, or get a discount for the hotel buffet breakfast. Life is good.
That's all from here. Heading to Bali this weekend so will have more fun to report from Indonesia. See ya.
Her name is Annette, a Virginian at last
We went to a wet market, new sights I saw
Eating fish cakes in front of the pig organ stall
Dear Readers,
Since it was raining down at the pool, I thought I would blog. You did know that Singapore is the lightening capital of the entire world-more lightening strikes here than anywhere in the world. It's the loud thunder that bothers me. I am the only one that gets out of the pool when that starts. I guess it's unlikely that I would be struck where I am-surrounded by high rises but I was struck before in my mother's house. Kids swim through the storms ignoring. to the thunder and lightening that goes on here. I go do something else.
Last week I went to my quitling class down at the Tanglin Mall. Yes, it's too hot for quiltsing in Sinagpore but they do it anyway as well as knit sweaters. I have never figured it out. I spent a small fortune on material (knowing that they make it in the next country for nothing!) and went to class with Ira. Ira is a quilt nazi. She even called herself that. I should be at home because my mother's name is also Quilt Nazi (she doesn't know it). I couldn't even cut out my templates to suit her. She yelled at another lady, "You're not listening to me! Do as I say. Do it now!). I was explaining to her that I came from a farm in rural Virginia. The lady beside me said she had been to Staunton before. It was bigger than her town-Blacksburg! I was blown away. What a small world. Instant bonding.
I guess it wasn't just a random act though. Her husband was a engineer from Celanese, rayon plant. Like Invista where my husband works, they closed it down, fired the people, and promptly moved to China. They had no choice but to move to Singapore so they sold their house, grabbed their dog and obese cat, and started over. Her husband works part time in China as does mine. "Net" suggested I take a taxi and come to her apartment. I did and met her kids and live in maid (she needed someone to walk the dog). What an apartment-four levels and beautiful. And large but not central to anything. She has to take a taxi everywhere she goes. She wanted to take me to a near by wet market. A wet market is an open air market where they sell meat, fruits, vegetables, and local cuisine. Here I got see pig organs, duck andchickens with their heads on, lots of stuff I couldn't identify, and sugar cane juice. I even ate lunch there in the heat-I'll let you know if I experience side effects like food poisoning. Net warned me not to eat there in the late afternoon. Chickens get ripe then. I swore I never would.
I ran into Tammy my neighbor who wanted to know how my date with Net went. Steve is worried about my "dates" with various friends. I told him he has nothing to worry about. My play dates are fun! Anyway, Net has offered to show me the ends and out of Sinagporean life. Where the cheap stuff is and the bargains can be found. I have a lot of learn.
A sheik has moved in the building. It's interesting to see how a man in a white sheet lowers himself to live here in the apartments. I call him Lawrence. This week a bumper crop of newbies showed up at the pool, some Australians, some Indians, and assorted "others". Business is looking up. Our 3000 a month two bedroom apartment has gone up to 11,000 a month (Invista informed us). Wow. Net's apartment though runs 8500 a month plus electricity and water. Location Location. Net doesn't get a free shuttle to the mall, have her groceries delivered, or get a discount for the hotel buffet breakfast. Life is good.
That's all from here. Heading to Bali this weekend so will have more fun to report from Indonesia. See ya.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Awaiting to go home
A large white fogs rolls over the land
Searching for dengue fever mosquitoes in the sand
I look down from my pool chair in great alarm
For there's a blood sucking mosquito carrying off my arm
Fogging here is weekly for the houses bordering the apartments. They only fog here once a month. Given the wind, there's no need to do more-just steal the neighbor's fog! It's free. People walk through the clouds as if they don't exist. It comes into the aprartment through the air conditioner and you can smell it in the hall. We have noticed we get bitten more after fogging than before fogging. They just irritate the bugs.
The world cup is still going on and we are having to acknowlege it whether we like it or not. A group of middle eastern men have moved in across from my door and across from Tammy. They sleep all day and party all night. At 2 am in the morning they are running up and down the hall cheering. They can't understand why we don't share their enthusiam. I reported them to the desk. They have another group up on the tenth floor I hear from the maids. They order all their food from the hotel (Muslim). I hear them singing their prayers at the top of their lungs through my door. There's another game tonight and I am dreading the joy of soccer. They must be sons of princes or something to just take three weeks and watch soccer. Behind their backs I refer to them as "Jihad" because I am mean that way.
Steve and I went down to the Cambodia embassy. The web site and the door said they opened at nine. What was I thinking? They don't read English! Anyway the door was dark. A Cambodian got off the elevator finally and let us in the dark office where we waitied another twenty minutes for no one to show up. I finally left in a huff. Steve was forced to return later to submit an application. I already had this experience when I went to pick up my visa. I arrived at 2:15 and the door said they were out to lunch and would return at 2. I waited and then caught another Cambodian in the hall. He told me to wait. I waited, getting madder all the time and when that same Cambodian saw me still waiting here, he did some yelling. A man came and opened the door. I could see their feet the whole time-sleeping in office chairs! Something tells me it's easy to get into Cambodia and that their web site was just front for their real business in Singapore-sleeping and eating dumplings.
I got new shoes and glasses on the same day. I am stumbling blind, trying to get use to both. My shoes are orthopedic because it hurts to walk here. I don't have a car so I have to hoof it alot. I have signed up for a pottery and quilt class to fill my days here. There's only so much tanning a person can do.
While Tammy and I were slumming at the pool, I noticed a large amount of Muslims came out with little kids. The women were dressed from head to toe in material. We felt really sorry for them as it probably a 100 degrees out there. The men sat in the shade. I know the women were wearing bikinis under all that stuff! They just didn't want me to feel bad -all exposed and all.
I understand that the two drivers who sit in the lobby day and night are theirs-waiting on their beck and call at a minute's notice. They also must be related to that Arab prince.
We have heard we will be here for another year. I will have to pace myself. It's a small island and I'm bored all ready. I know you're saying there's always the pool and the sun and the mosquitoes. What's there not to love? Nothing. Sometimes I yearn for Byers Ice Cream or my mother's pork roast. I will have to find solace in island food.
We did make our way to Dempsey Hill where there is a rash of Spanish/Mexican Restuarants. Why, you ask, does Asia need Mexican cuisine? They have everything else so they just had to add Hispanic flare. There's only so much white rice, durians, and pork belly a person can eat. A burrito hits the spot.
Donna
Searching for dengue fever mosquitoes in the sand
I look down from my pool chair in great alarm
For there's a blood sucking mosquito carrying off my arm
Fogging here is weekly for the houses bordering the apartments. They only fog here once a month. Given the wind, there's no need to do more-just steal the neighbor's fog! It's free. People walk through the clouds as if they don't exist. It comes into the aprartment through the air conditioner and you can smell it in the hall. We have noticed we get bitten more after fogging than before fogging. They just irritate the bugs.
The world cup is still going on and we are having to acknowlege it whether we like it or not. A group of middle eastern men have moved in across from my door and across from Tammy. They sleep all day and party all night. At 2 am in the morning they are running up and down the hall cheering. They can't understand why we don't share their enthusiam. I reported them to the desk. They have another group up on the tenth floor I hear from the maids. They order all their food from the hotel (Muslim). I hear them singing their prayers at the top of their lungs through my door. There's another game tonight and I am dreading the joy of soccer. They must be sons of princes or something to just take three weeks and watch soccer. Behind their backs I refer to them as "Jihad" because I am mean that way.
Steve and I went down to the Cambodia embassy. The web site and the door said they opened at nine. What was I thinking? They don't read English! Anyway the door was dark. A Cambodian got off the elevator finally and let us in the dark office where we waitied another twenty minutes for no one to show up. I finally left in a huff. Steve was forced to return later to submit an application. I already had this experience when I went to pick up my visa. I arrived at 2:15 and the door said they were out to lunch and would return at 2. I waited and then caught another Cambodian in the hall. He told me to wait. I waited, getting madder all the time and when that same Cambodian saw me still waiting here, he did some yelling. A man came and opened the door. I could see their feet the whole time-sleeping in office chairs! Something tells me it's easy to get into Cambodia and that their web site was just front for their real business in Singapore-sleeping and eating dumplings.
I got new shoes and glasses on the same day. I am stumbling blind, trying to get use to both. My shoes are orthopedic because it hurts to walk here. I don't have a car so I have to hoof it alot. I have signed up for a pottery and quilt class to fill my days here. There's only so much tanning a person can do.
While Tammy and I were slumming at the pool, I noticed a large amount of Muslims came out with little kids. The women were dressed from head to toe in material. We felt really sorry for them as it probably a 100 degrees out there. The men sat in the shade. I know the women were wearing bikinis under all that stuff! They just didn't want me to feel bad -all exposed and all.
I understand that the two drivers who sit in the lobby day and night are theirs-waiting on their beck and call at a minute's notice. They also must be related to that Arab prince.
We have heard we will be here for another year. I will have to pace myself. It's a small island and I'm bored all ready. I know you're saying there's always the pool and the sun and the mosquitoes. What's there not to love? Nothing. Sometimes I yearn for Byers Ice Cream or my mother's pork roast. I will have to find solace in island food.
We did make our way to Dempsey Hill where there is a rash of Spanish/Mexican Restuarants. Why, you ask, does Asia need Mexican cuisine? They have everything else so they just had to add Hispanic flare. There's only so much white rice, durians, and pork belly a person can eat. A burrito hits the spot.
Donna
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