Well, I just had my first shitty, conned by the people experience.
I'm heading to Legian, off of Poppies 2 and this woman grabs my wrist, "where you from, Darling?" being the polite Canadian I am I respond. By this point she's wrapping some crap braided leather bracelet around my wrist, as I'm shaking my head. I don't want this. "No no no, it's for good luck in Bali. You not pay. No one will push you on the street," yada yada, welcome to Bali. Bullshit. I'm just like fine tie this thing up and I'm gone.
"Ok, now I cut the strings" of course you do, I'm about to cut you. I know this is a bad situation already. So after they get the bracelet on you they drag you into the shop to "cut the strings" oh great now she wants me to buy something. This whole experience is so awful, I can't express my emotions right now. New ones I didn't know I had, unfortunately all negative. So she sits me down, looks like she is grabbing scissors next thing I know I'm getting flowers painted on my damn nails and like a gremlin doused in water has suddenly tripled. Both hands are being done and my toes, I'm surrounded by tiny Balinese women. Did I mention, bullshit?
She's still going on about good luck and people leaving me alone in Bali, this is too ironic. Now she's moved on to how she has no job and she does this to feed her kids. Fair enough, but I don't have a job either and that's no ones fault but my own. And where did you get the money to buy all this crap in your store hmmmm? Now she is saying ok, 150,000Rupiah. Ha! You are seriously missing half your brain lady. I can go to the spa and get a real mani pedi, with a nice paint job for half that price, at least. Of course I'm going to give her something, she got me. But pulling someone into the back of a store giving them things and doing things to them they don't want and then charging a price?!
I'm pretty pissed at this point, luckily I keep my money in different spots in my wallet. I actually never have more on me then I think I need but I was possibly doing some shopping today. Not anymore, I'm bitter, bitter as all hell. How does one release anger in paradise? So thank god I only have 70,000 Rupiah in my wallet that you can see, think about it, my nails are wet at this point so they can watch me like a hawk. Ugh. So that's roughly eight dollars. Maybe not a huge huge loss to me but that's a six pack or three square meals of gado gado, that's the way my mind works.
Now she's pissed, good. I tell her, I didn't agree to this and that's all I have, all I can give her, and it's still way too much. She's pretty insistent that the 20,000 is worthless, like I said you can get a serious meal and a drink for that much, take it or leave it you witch. I'm supposed to go get another 50,000 for her or trade in my Thai money. Holy crap, I'm on the verge kids. I can not believe this woman. Again she is ranting about luck, apparently I'm giving her and I bad luck by not giving her the full amount and now someone is going to steal my money. Well you just did so bad luck for you the sister!
I finally get up and walk out, can't believe I put myself through that, I can't believe the evilness that came out of such a sweet looking little lady. I hope her nail polish spills. It makes me wonder how many people have to go through that, I thought I was doing well with avoiding that kind of situation.
But, positive by nature I think to myself. Karma bitch. By even giving her anything I am the better person, in the back of my mind I'm praying she actually has little mouths to feed and that's where the money is going. who am I kidding, everyone here has a million kids. By her being persistent to my resistance she will get hers, whatever it may be.
But now I feel like I'm tagged, this stupid bracelet that I won't take off because I just spent $8.00 on the ugly mess and my damn nails are painted. I hate having painted nails, you got me good devil woman.
Fun fact: it's supposed to stay on for three weeks. Fabulous.
Thursday, 23 February 2012
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Bye, Bye, Bali
It is my last day in Bali. Yesterday I had made a plan of all the things I need to conquer my last day, of course I wake up and I'm not feeling it. The boys are gone and even though they wouldn't be up for hours and I'd be alone much of the day anyway, what am I going to do without them tonight? Oh yes, I'll get a tattoo. There is a shop just down the street where the artist is amazing. His free flow is spot on and I'm wanting something traditional so that will be a great experience. The best part is he doesn't speak a word of English! His translated is really amazing though, he stops me everyday about my tattoos. Three of the boys got tattoos last night and the sound of the gun set me in a frenzy. I was trying to wait for my next stint in Thailand, but that tomorrow, ha! And I think what I want will be under a hundred. So we will see...
Fun fact: I've currently upped my reading to a grade sixth level! Just kidding, I am however reading a book a day, a great feeling. My favorite so far? Tinka bakes a cake.
Fun fact: I've currently upped my reading to a grade sixth level! Just kidding, I am however reading a book a day, a great feeling. My favorite so far? Tinka bakes a cake.
How to get by. A personal reassurance
Like I mentioned I've been doing a bit of research on traveling alone, on the cheap, how to entertain yourself, etc. I read a lot, I use the Internet as frequently as I can, I play solitaire, stretch, take time for me, go for a long walk, yada yada. The biggest part is the mental struggle of being alone sometimes, because I'm a complete nut case.
Simply put, remember to breath and take it slow. Do whatever you are feeling at that moment, and if you don't feel like doing a damn thing, then don't. When you have days and days ahead of you but a strict budget it's easy to have a meltdown. I'm not on a jam packed contiki tour. I wish my account was limitless but when you work as hard for as little as i do, sometimes you have to take naps, go for a swim, shower...for hours, well don't really because we have to conserve water, shower nonetheless. Send a post card, download new music (my newest favorite song is Jamaican in New York by Shine head, ch ch ch check it out) watch YouTube videos, or Beavis and Butt Head for the six hundredth time...I sure could use an iTunes card right about now... Mom, mom, mom, mom...Hiiiiiii.
As much as this entry is to remind myself to remain calm it's also for you guys to remember to relax as well. Life has become so fast paced with so many functional gadgets to make life simpler, that sometimes it has the opposite affect. You can have too much of a good thing, appreciate the little things. My morning coffee is still the greatest part of my day...followed by my afternoon beer. Before I left I couldn't tell you what I appreciated because I didnt know anymore. Life can go as fast or slow as you want it too, try to find that happy medium and for gad sakes eat a piece of cheesecake for me!
Fun fact: A good sense of humor will get you far...
Simply put, remember to breath and take it slow. Do whatever you are feeling at that moment, and if you don't feel like doing a damn thing, then don't. When you have days and days ahead of you but a strict budget it's easy to have a meltdown. I'm not on a jam packed contiki tour. I wish my account was limitless but when you work as hard for as little as i do, sometimes you have to take naps, go for a swim, shower...for hours, well don't really because we have to conserve water, shower nonetheless. Send a post card, download new music (my newest favorite song is Jamaican in New York by Shine head, ch ch ch check it out) watch YouTube videos, or Beavis and Butt Head for the six hundredth time...I sure could use an iTunes card right about now... Mom, mom, mom, mom...Hiiiiiii.
As much as this entry is to remind myself to remain calm it's also for you guys to remember to relax as well. Life has become so fast paced with so many functional gadgets to make life simpler, that sometimes it has the opposite affect. You can have too much of a good thing, appreciate the little things. My morning coffee is still the greatest part of my day...followed by my afternoon beer. Before I left I couldn't tell you what I appreciated because I didnt know anymore. Life can go as fast or slow as you want it too, try to find that happy medium and for gad sakes eat a piece of cheesecake for me!
Fun fact: A good sense of humor will get you far...
Try me, buddy
Since not much has happened and quite frankly I'm a bit tired of Indonesia chaos I'm just gonna have a rant post.
The first bit was very relaxing with Coco and I got to be submersed in the culture so that was nice, the next bit I made it to my destination, Bali. However, I should have broken up the trip and stayed on different parts instead of just Kuta. If you want to party, great, and I did...the first two nights... Followed by more here, and there.
So I became a bit of a shut in, fell into a funk and basically just ate and slept for a few days. In all reality I'm backpacking, not on a vacation and I'm going to be gone a while. I need to find a oppertunity to work, or even volunteer because i have no sense of satisfaction at the end of the day. This is definitely not the place to collect my thoughts and centre myself, but I'm learning.
Whenever I can find the Internet, I really have to stay somewhere with it next time, what a pain. I try to search things to do when traveling alone, but it's stuff generic stuff we already know. Get lost...go on a photo safari...talk to locals, duh. If I was on a secluded beach with a hammock I wouldn't feel this anxiety, but I'm on a fast paced beach where no one leaves you alone...
I can walk by the same place three times in 45 min..."massaaaage, piducuremanicure?" obviously not if I said "no thank you" the first time. Oh wait, I just drank three beer and am sweating like a pig cow, yeah I want a massage. Maybe if you offered me a cold shower I'd take it, retards. OR "sunglasses? Look!" and they grab you by the wrist and try to get you in their shop. First off. Don't touch me. I want to freak out, but I don't because apparently that's rude. THAT is rude? Omg. Plus id like to point out I'm WEARING sunglasses. Followed by..."Darlin, I love you" ok buddy that's it. Just because you know how to say it, doesn't mean you do. I can tell you to go to hell in whatever language you speak, that doesn't mean I'm going to do it.
Today's favorite was a motor taxi guy standing in front of the mini mart yelling at me as I'm coming down the gang. "motor bike, where you go? I take you good price" I'm clearly going into the minimart, again, "where you go?" "inside." I say clearly irritated. And when I come out... "where you go? Good price" Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Now, I understand this is how people make a living, and it's very small at that. And for the most part people are here to shop and party and go crazy, so my fault for not finding a quieter place. But I'm just warning you if you ever come, your head will explode with people wanting you to buy whatever it is they are selling.
Fun fact: Indonesia is made up of over 17,000 islands, over 300 indigenous languages and three time zones.
The first bit was very relaxing with Coco and I got to be submersed in the culture so that was nice, the next bit I made it to my destination, Bali. However, I should have broken up the trip and stayed on different parts instead of just Kuta. If you want to party, great, and I did...the first two nights... Followed by more here, and there.
So I became a bit of a shut in, fell into a funk and basically just ate and slept for a few days. In all reality I'm backpacking, not on a vacation and I'm going to be gone a while. I need to find a oppertunity to work, or even volunteer because i have no sense of satisfaction at the end of the day. This is definitely not the place to collect my thoughts and centre myself, but I'm learning.
Whenever I can find the Internet, I really have to stay somewhere with it next time, what a pain. I try to search things to do when traveling alone, but it's stuff generic stuff we already know. Get lost...go on a photo safari...talk to locals, duh. If I was on a secluded beach with a hammock I wouldn't feel this anxiety, but I'm on a fast paced beach where no one leaves you alone...
I can walk by the same place three times in 45 min..."massaaaage, piducuremanicure?" obviously not if I said "no thank you" the first time. Oh wait, I just drank three beer and am sweating like a pig cow, yeah I want a massage. Maybe if you offered me a cold shower I'd take it, retards. OR "sunglasses? Look!" and they grab you by the wrist and try to get you in their shop. First off. Don't touch me. I want to freak out, but I don't because apparently that's rude. THAT is rude? Omg. Plus id like to point out I'm WEARING sunglasses. Followed by..."Darlin, I love you" ok buddy that's it. Just because you know how to say it, doesn't mean you do. I can tell you to go to hell in whatever language you speak, that doesn't mean I'm going to do it.
Today's favorite was a motor taxi guy standing in front of the mini mart yelling at me as I'm coming down the gang. "motor bike, where you go? I take you good price" I'm clearly going into the minimart, again, "where you go?" "inside." I say clearly irritated. And when I come out... "where you go? Good price" Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Now, I understand this is how people make a living, and it's very small at that. And for the most part people are here to shop and party and go crazy, so my fault for not finding a quieter place. But I'm just warning you if you ever come, your head will explode with people wanting you to buy whatever it is they are selling.
Fun fact: Indonesia is made up of over 17,000 islands, over 300 indigenous languages and three time zones.
Friday, 17 February 2012
Team Steadyflow
With the other boys finally arriving, a total of six menaces to society,and one little white girl I think I've found my adventure. Ive been in Kuta beach, Bali for five days now and as great as it is I'm already feeling the need to change my surroundings. I've managed to pursued the guys to take me to Ulu Watu tomorrow, which has the best break in Bali. That's surfer talk. Possibly even to Ubud to see the monkey forest, I'm still to scared to get on a scooter by myself so once again taking advantage of chauffeurs. Everyone makes it look so easy but I can't even breath when I walk down the street let alone drive.
But currently I'm at a stand still for something to write, all the days melt into one and Thailand is still in the back of my mind even though Bali has been my dream for nine years. I might be going to the Gillis for a couple days though so maybe that lead to some inspiration.
Fun fact: I saw the BIGGEST rat last night. Omg.
But currently I'm at a stand still for something to write, all the days melt into one and Thailand is still in the back of my mind even though Bali has been my dream for nine years. I might be going to the Gillis for a couple days though so maybe that lead to some inspiration.
Fun fact: I saw the BIGGEST rat last night. Omg.
Valentines day with the brothers from Mauritius
Needless to say, after meeting these two like minded devils I was a complete write off by the time valentines hit. We had been drinking steadily for a day and a half which caught up with me full force. The night life is a cruel mistress I tell you. The clubs here are insane and you never pay for a drink, Ever.
Whatever you want here, you got it. Reggae clubs, live music, concrete clubs pulled five stories high, pool halls, wet bars, whatever! Clearly I found my destiny. Kathy loves this shit is bananas.
Barely functional on valentines I felt so terrible because I made Vincent and David promise to take me on a date on singles awareness since I was alone. They assured me I wasn't alone, awww. In a weak attempt to get my shit together for supper, my body shut down. Dehydrated, starving, but unable to control the fact my stomach was rejecting anything, including water, I laid on my bed feeling sorry for myself.
Vincent cones in my room, "what's going on? Okay you are sweating, shaking, and oh, you are crying. This will not do". So these sweethearts go out and get me veggie rice and veggie soup, my savers! at this point I'm looking like a frail little lady who is about to die but I manage to get the food down, feeling better. I'm so insistent that these two go out. "please don't stay here and suffer with me." simply they respond, "you do not want to be alone like this and what are friends for." we just met, and these boys have truly stepped up to the plate of BB's madness and tonight the other brothers are arriving! Good thing I feel better.
They are here for a week so I think I will just hang out with them, tour the town and try not to get in so much trouble as well as book a couple day trips before I head back to Thailand.
Fun fact: it is hotter then a mother up in here, but Australia is pumpin out forty plus. Good grief.
Whatever you want here, you got it. Reggae clubs, live music, concrete clubs pulled five stories high, pool halls, wet bars, whatever! Clearly I found my destiny. Kathy loves this shit is bananas.
Barely functional on valentines I felt so terrible because I made Vincent and David promise to take me on a date on singles awareness since I was alone. They assured me I wasn't alone, awww. In a weak attempt to get my shit together for supper, my body shut down. Dehydrated, starving, but unable to control the fact my stomach was rejecting anything, including water, I laid on my bed feeling sorry for myself.
Vincent cones in my room, "what's going on? Okay you are sweating, shaking, and oh, you are crying. This will not do". So these sweethearts go out and get me veggie rice and veggie soup, my savers! at this point I'm looking like a frail little lady who is about to die but I manage to get the food down, feeling better. I'm so insistent that these two go out. "please don't stay here and suffer with me." simply they respond, "you do not want to be alone like this and what are friends for." we just met, and these boys have truly stepped up to the plate of BB's madness and tonight the other brothers are arriving! Good thing I feel better.
They are here for a week so I think I will just hang out with them, tour the town and try not to get in so much trouble as well as book a couple day trips before I head back to Thailand.
Fun fact: it is hotter then a mother up in here, but Australia is pumpin out forty plus. Good grief.
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
The Mosquitos and drunk and I still love bananas
I have finally arrived in Bali. It's my paradise, a good mix of shopping, locals, amazing Indo food and way too many clubs. I've been having too much fun to write and searching for wifi is a bitch. I'll write a proper post when I can because today I'm going exploring and to maybe book some tours. However I need to address a more pressing matter.
I am emotionally devastated. I've found it hard to make it through the day without crying. My head is low and all I want to do is dance with somebody. And since I have not been connected to the outside world I got the news uncomfortably late for my liking. Yes, I'm talking about the passing of my birth mother, Whitney Houston. Maybe you weren't aware that she is my mom and the stork got a little confused, but deep inside I'm a sting black woman. So please, for me. Today, at any point in time put one hand in the air and feel like a million dollar bill!
Talk to you kids soon!
Fun fact: Bali. That is all.
I am emotionally devastated. I've found it hard to make it through the day without crying. My head is low and all I want to do is dance with somebody. And since I have not been connected to the outside world I got the news uncomfortably late for my liking. Yes, I'm talking about the passing of my birth mother, Whitney Houston. Maybe you weren't aware that she is my mom and the stork got a little confused, but deep inside I'm a sting black woman. So please, for me. Today, at any point in time put one hand in the air and feel like a million dollar bill!
Talk to you kids soon!
Fun fact: Bali. That is all.
Yup, that just happened.
I'm over buses, I keep trying to tell myself it's a great way to get down with the people and see a lot. A great test of character and perfect downtime to sit on a bus or buses for hours on end. I want plane tickets from now on. It's not the ride that I dispise, it's getting to these Indonesian bus terminals that are basically large parking lots FULL of buses with tons of people scrambling about. I have no clue how to even find the ticket office and my bahasa is crap. As I meekly manage to say where I'm going I'm pulled here, pushed there, my money's where? My bag is where? It's so stressful and believe me I've become cool on this trip. I mean the relaxed sense, I was always cool. Needless to say I thought these were all experiences I wanted but I'm going to stick to planes, much like when you need your medication, skip the middle man and go straight to pharmacist. I've had more 48 hour trips than you can flip off.
I'm being escorted to my second bus on my Bali bound mission and it's all going smoothly, actually bus to bus! However, I have to sit in the retard chair. I'm not lying. The one that pops out from the wall on the stair entering the bus, beside the driver. What's that even for? Oh yeah, the retards. I look at the guy pointing at the seat, "are you f*cking serious?" he laughs hysterically, oh so you do speak English, maybe you should sit there... So I get on the bus and everyone is staring at me, there are a ton of open seats. I point to one and the driver just points again to the sped chair. Luckily I packed my dunce cap so I made sure to put that on before everyone laughed at me, again. Great, I have a fifteeen or so hour bus ride and I'm plastered to the windshield like a bug. I never ever want to drive here again the shit I saw in that seat had me in tears, at first I thought it was some sick joke like scare the boolay or something. But in time the bus was full of people who already had their tickets. However, only a couple hours in I got a seat at the back of the bus, another retard seat, back of the bus boolay.
So this is where it gets interesting, let's speed through this one. I slump down beside a, oh I'm going to say 16 year old, who is blaring death metal, oh great, can't wait to sleep. So I just attempt to ignore it. Then I feel his hand on my leg but he is also stretching out so I figure he's is just finding a groove, Indo buses are tiny. But then his hand is moving, and squeezing, next thing I know this, this, Child! is trying to get fresh! So I grab his hands and shake my head violently at him and you will never believe it! He tries to get me to give him a friggin handy! OMG! I'm actually in hysterics by this point, if you aren't aware I only do that for community service when I need to work off a ticket. So I can't believe this kid, I'm trying to communicate "eff off" as best I can but he just keeps making eyes at me. Eventually I got him to settle for listening to my iPod with me, what do you know? Little baby fell asleep.
So my dad is either thinking "I can't believe she just wrote that" or "yup, that's my daughter, such a lady" . I think we should just relax the matter by smoking a joint. Aw, dad! I love that look of disapproval and distaste you get when I mention that. Hahaha, smiling!
Fun Fact: I now fully understand why that guy on the Grey Hound went bat shit crazy.
I'm being escorted to my second bus on my Bali bound mission and it's all going smoothly, actually bus to bus! However, I have to sit in the retard chair. I'm not lying. The one that pops out from the wall on the stair entering the bus, beside the driver. What's that even for? Oh yeah, the retards. I look at the guy pointing at the seat, "are you f*cking serious?" he laughs hysterically, oh so you do speak English, maybe you should sit there... So I get on the bus and everyone is staring at me, there are a ton of open seats. I point to one and the driver just points again to the sped chair. Luckily I packed my dunce cap so I made sure to put that on before everyone laughed at me, again. Great, I have a fifteeen or so hour bus ride and I'm plastered to the windshield like a bug. I never ever want to drive here again the shit I saw in that seat had me in tears, at first I thought it was some sick joke like scare the boolay or something. But in time the bus was full of people who already had their tickets. However, only a couple hours in I got a seat at the back of the bus, another retard seat, back of the bus boolay.
So this is where it gets interesting, let's speed through this one. I slump down beside a, oh I'm going to say 16 year old, who is blaring death metal, oh great, can't wait to sleep. So I just attempt to ignore it. Then I feel his hand on my leg but he is also stretching out so I figure he's is just finding a groove, Indo buses are tiny. But then his hand is moving, and squeezing, next thing I know this, this, Child! is trying to get fresh! So I grab his hands and shake my head violently at him and you will never believe it! He tries to get me to give him a friggin handy! OMG! I'm actually in hysterics by this point, if you aren't aware I only do that for community service when I need to work off a ticket. So I can't believe this kid, I'm trying to communicate "eff off" as best I can but he just keeps making eyes at me. Eventually I got him to settle for listening to my iPod with me, what do you know? Little baby fell asleep.
So my dad is either thinking "I can't believe she just wrote that" or "yup, that's my daughter, such a lady" . I think we should just relax the matter by smoking a joint. Aw, dad! I love that look of disapproval and distaste you get when I mention that. Hahaha, smiling!
Fun Fact: I now fully understand why that guy on the Grey Hound went bat shit crazy.
I went to Depok. And it sucked.
I was more then welcome to stay as long as I wanted with ahmi and ahpi, my Indonesian parents. Their kindness and generosity made me feel so comfortable from the instant I entered their home. I had my own room and sleep worthy bed which led to a smile on my face every morning after a peaceful night. I was barely awake for a minute and coffee and fried bananas sat in front of me. I was fed fantastic vegetarian meals three times a day, aumi insisted in doing my laundry, and I read by the pond in the yard until my heart was content. This whole week my heart was content.
To be honest I literally did nothing, aside from a few activities. One day I walked to and from the next town, Pameungpeuk. A 14km walk in the scorching heat, I decided I never wanted to do again. I attended two Indonesian weddings with great music and a ton of food including rambutin (a slightly sweet fruit) which I never want again, of course Coco ruined the experience with a sexual reference. And as soon as I showed up the band would yell for Canada to come dance, quite frankly if there's no booze I am not busting out the electric side and this town is dryer than Cody's humor. I guess I am in rehab. February 12th will mark the halfway point of my 28 day program. Suck it Dr. Phil. Lastly, we checked out some traditional Indonesian music you can really get lost in.
Cody and I cackled from sun up til sun down, reminiscing and laughing at how ridiculous we are. At one point I looked at him and said "this just might be the stupidest thing I've ever done", that was only followed by "me too!" we still never skip a beat. All day we talk, read, eat and laugh and at night we curl up on the floor and watch tella novella's (soap opera's) with ahmi. Everyone is asleep by ten and I couldn't be more relieved that my world is slowing down to a snail like pace and just as simple.
Fun Fact: Everywhere you go you hear "hello miiiister!" if you are a boy or girl, no matter. I honestly prefer it to ma'am.
To be honest I literally did nothing, aside from a few activities. One day I walked to and from the next town, Pameungpeuk. A 14km walk in the scorching heat, I decided I never wanted to do again. I attended two Indonesian weddings with great music and a ton of food including rambutin (a slightly sweet fruit) which I never want again, of course Coco ruined the experience with a sexual reference. And as soon as I showed up the band would yell for Canada to come dance, quite frankly if there's no booze I am not busting out the electric side and this town is dryer than Cody's humor. I guess I am in rehab. February 12th will mark the halfway point of my 28 day program. Suck it Dr. Phil. Lastly, we checked out some traditional Indonesian music you can really get lost in.
Cody and I cackled from sun up til sun down, reminiscing and laughing at how ridiculous we are. At one point I looked at him and said "this just might be the stupidest thing I've ever done", that was only followed by "me too!" we still never skip a beat. All day we talk, read, eat and laugh and at night we curl up on the floor and watch tella novella's (soap opera's) with ahmi. Everyone is asleep by ten and I couldn't be more relieved that my world is slowing down to a snail like pace and just as simple.
Fun Fact: Everywhere you go you hear "hello miiiister!" if you are a boy or girl, no matter. I honestly prefer it to ma'am.
Finding Coco...
After two Ridiculous bus rides, one of which was the most beautiful yet painfully long drive through the mountains, I was hurled out of the mini bus in Depok, Indonesia (not to be confused with a suburb of Jakarta this Depok was about a eight hour bus ride from the Capital). I stared around blankly for only a moment when I heard a high pitch shrill from just up a small mountain side. "Brinney!" the all to familiar way Cody has affectionately screamed at me throughout the years. His albatross arms were flailing frantically around his even slimmer than I remember but still pasty white body.
Finally, five months without my main dissolved into one huge hug. We just smiled and laughed as he exclaimed, "I can't believe you made it!" not just an expression, he was serious, this place is way off the lonely planet map. Until I saw Cody I was the only foreigner for miles as far as I was concerned and it was a bit unnerving. For the first time in my life I felt weird about my surroundings, I don't know quite how to describe it but it was much like a where's Waldo book but where's the boolay instead. Very obvious I wasn't from there and very obvious not a lot of travelers pass through where I was. It had been a rather uncomfortable trip but with the smooth directions Aryo (Cody's counterpart in his program) had given me in Bahasa I made it there in one piece.
Behind Cody a lovely woman was waving eagerly at me from atop the hill just outside of her colourful home. I was barely up the steps when I was taken into a warm embrace and held and kissed and cuddled with giggles and grunts in my ear. I was barely in the door and I was watered and had bananas and rice cakes shoved at me, encouraged to eat and drink. I had made it, my destination, my best friend, and the most loving host parents I could ask for.
Fun Fact: 88% of Indonesians are Muslim! And have no family name.
Finally, five months without my main dissolved into one huge hug. We just smiled and laughed as he exclaimed, "I can't believe you made it!" not just an expression, he was serious, this place is way off the lonely planet map. Until I saw Cody I was the only foreigner for miles as far as I was concerned and it was a bit unnerving. For the first time in my life I felt weird about my surroundings, I don't know quite how to describe it but it was much like a where's Waldo book but where's the boolay instead. Very obvious I wasn't from there and very obvious not a lot of travelers pass through where I was. It had been a rather uncomfortable trip but with the smooth directions Aryo (Cody's counterpart in his program) had given me in Bahasa I made it there in one piece.
Behind Cody a lovely woman was waving eagerly at me from atop the hill just outside of her colourful home. I was barely up the steps when I was taken into a warm embrace and held and kissed and cuddled with giggles and grunts in my ear. I was barely in the door and I was watered and had bananas and rice cakes shoved at me, encouraged to eat and drink. I had made it, my destination, my best friend, and the most loving host parents I could ask for.
Fun Fact: 88% of Indonesians are Muslim! And have no family name.
Saturday, 4 February 2012
What the hell am I doing?
When the guy at immigration asks where you are staying in Jakarta, don't say "your place".
I landed in Jakarta at midnight and was planning on curling up in a corner somewhere like many others, and waiting for the sun so I could get a move on to Depok from the Lebak bus station.
This wasn't the case. I was approached by a security guard around 2:00 a.m. Who basically could only point back down the stairs to communicate with me. I looked at all the others, some chatty girls, some relaxed but clueless boys and some sleeping families as they all fumbled with their things and headed downstairs.
Were we seriously being kicked out? Isn't an airport always open? I watched people slowly leave the building with somber faces. I'm assuming they are in the same boat as me and simply trying to pass time until their next departure, whatever it may be.
I quickly googled some affordable places to stay just in case but I was still looking at around 30 dollars, for what? To maybe sit for an hour? Oh good grief. But then it hit me! McDonalds! Always open, there's food, and I'm sure there are always weirdos hanging around at all hours with no purpose. There must be one close if push came to shove. But would I even get a cab at this hour? I don't have a phone, so far I'm not having fun.
But then I put my next brilliant plan into action as I looked around to see if security was hot on my trail again. Did you figure it out? Ladies bathroom. It was perfect, I had to get cleaned up anyway so I took my time including making faces at myself to see if the sun has already started to cause wrinkles, and what the hell I even put on some makeup. I changed, did a bit of a victory dance and then decided to retreat into a stall. Don't worry I took a picture for quality assurance, I'll email it to you. What a perfect time to write about the situation I'm in! So I'm huddled up on a toilet, thank god there is a large shelf behind me for my backpack and I'm typing away listening to other women come in and out of the bathroom. If other people are in the airport so am I bitches, you will rue the day you even crossed BB.
The only shitty part is, this means no sleep. Until I'm safely on a bustle a couple hours to whatever rice paddy my bestie is squatting in, I'm pulling an all nighter, which also sucks because I'll need to pass out as soon as I finally get to him. Oddly enough, train, plane, bus, whatever I can sleep no problem. Put me in a guest house and I'm tossing and turning all night, maybe the perpetual motion is soothing.
Fun Fact: I forgot to mention how douche baggish Patong Beach was. Think of Jersey Shore on steroids in the busiest part of Vegas. Woof.
I landed in Jakarta at midnight and was planning on curling up in a corner somewhere like many others, and waiting for the sun so I could get a move on to Depok from the Lebak bus station.
This wasn't the case. I was approached by a security guard around 2:00 a.m. Who basically could only point back down the stairs to communicate with me. I looked at all the others, some chatty girls, some relaxed but clueless boys and some sleeping families as they all fumbled with their things and headed downstairs.
Were we seriously being kicked out? Isn't an airport always open? I watched people slowly leave the building with somber faces. I'm assuming they are in the same boat as me and simply trying to pass time until their next departure, whatever it may be.
I quickly googled some affordable places to stay just in case but I was still looking at around 30 dollars, for what? To maybe sit for an hour? Oh good grief. But then it hit me! McDonalds! Always open, there's food, and I'm sure there are always weirdos hanging around at all hours with no purpose. There must be one close if push came to shove. But would I even get a cab at this hour? I don't have a phone, so far I'm not having fun.
But then I put my next brilliant plan into action as I looked around to see if security was hot on my trail again. Did you figure it out? Ladies bathroom. It was perfect, I had to get cleaned up anyway so I took my time including making faces at myself to see if the sun has already started to cause wrinkles, and what the hell I even put on some makeup. I changed, did a bit of a victory dance and then decided to retreat into a stall. Don't worry I took a picture for quality assurance, I'll email it to you. What a perfect time to write about the situation I'm in! So I'm huddled up on a toilet, thank god there is a large shelf behind me for my backpack and I'm typing away listening to other women come in and out of the bathroom. If other people are in the airport so am I bitches, you will rue the day you even crossed BB.
The only shitty part is, this means no sleep. Until I'm safely on a bustle a couple hours to whatever rice paddy my bestie is squatting in, I'm pulling an all nighter, which also sucks because I'll need to pass out as soon as I finally get to him. Oddly enough, train, plane, bus, whatever I can sleep no problem. Put me in a guest house and I'm tossing and turning all night, maybe the perpetual motion is soothing.
Fun Fact: I forgot to mention how douche baggish Patong Beach was. Think of Jersey Shore on steroids in the busiest part of Vegas. Woof.
Thursday, 2 February 2012
On On Hotel and Cafe
Not typically what you'd imagine when you think of a hotel but charming in it's own way. Alright, I admit what brought me to this place is it was the Bangkok flop house in the movie The Beach and I just really wanted to share a bed with Leo for a night. Aside from that it's still very cheap to get a room, I'm sure anyone else would have taken advantage of it's year 2000 movie debut and jacked up the price. Thank you Thailand for being so humble.
Right next door you can get a fantastic quick and very cheap breakfast with the biggest cup of instant coffee I've had on this trip! A fried egg, two pieces of toast with jam and butter, and the coffee came to 35 baht, $1.13. Since I typically spend 70 baht this meant I could make my way to the bakery for a massive chocolate croissant. Best part is they always use nutella for their chocolate, even though it makes me instantly ill I still love it.
A giggle...
Once upon a 2006 Coco and BB were sharing laughs and joints on her Burnaby balcony waiting to catch the chupacobra. When suddenly the brilliant idea to make grilled banana and nutella sandwiches was brought up. One loaf of white bread, a bunch of bananas, and a jar of nutella later their munchies were satisfied. A little too satisfied, Coco and BB woke up on her air mattress bed the next day with faces full or chocolate, hands full of bananas and an empty jar of chocolate spread in between them, neither knew how it happened.
Fun Fact: actually it's an unfortunate fact. Currently Over 5 million people in Spain are unemployed. Let's sponsor some people!
Right next door you can get a fantastic quick and very cheap breakfast with the biggest cup of instant coffee I've had on this trip! A fried egg, two pieces of toast with jam and butter, and the coffee came to 35 baht, $1.13. Since I typically spend 70 baht this meant I could make my way to the bakery for a massive chocolate croissant. Best part is they always use nutella for their chocolate, even though it makes me instantly ill I still love it.
A giggle...
Once upon a 2006 Coco and BB were sharing laughs and joints on her Burnaby balcony waiting to catch the chupacobra. When suddenly the brilliant idea to make grilled banana and nutella sandwiches was brought up. One loaf of white bread, a bunch of bananas, and a jar of nutella later their munchies were satisfied. A little too satisfied, Coco and BB woke up on her air mattress bed the next day with faces full or chocolate, hands full of bananas and an empty jar of chocolate spread in between them, neither knew how it happened.
Fun Fact: actually it's an unfortunate fact. Currently Over 5 million people in Spain are unemployed. Let's sponsor some people!
Oh Phuket. (Poo-get)
Upon first sight I was a little leery to settle in the town of Thailand's largest island for a couple days. Most likely due to my current 48 hour travel schedule from Pai. At first I thought I was testing my character by putting myself through so many long hours of commute, then I realized just how dedicated l am to maintaining my budget. Night travel always saves on accommodation and food stalls are very near any public transport hub. If you can sit tight for a layover you can save plenty of money but not necessarily your sanity.
I didn't head straight for the beach because it was more cost effective to stay in town, on the plus side however there are public shuttles to the beaches that run from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. for only 25baht. Phuket town is lovely on it's own with it's Sino-Portuguese architecture and a cool night breeze that washes a quietness over the town. There is a little strip of amazing amazing vegetarian food I can stop thinking about on Th Rangong that'll run ya 35 baht. Plenty of guest houses can be found west of the bus terminal on streets Phang-Nga, Thalang, and Krabi, but my travel book wouldn't tell me that because that would be to convenient...
A Rant by BB
Letting me know there a guest houses in walking distance of the bus terminal is great, letting me know in what direction would be even better. Getting a travel book is only worth it so you have a general idea of your surroundings, otherwise its all crap and a lot of information isn't correct when it comes to prices, plus these people are on a much more generous budget than I am. If I'm spending thirty dollars a night on accommodation I better be staying at the Hilton of beach bungalows. When it comes down to it just through yourself in there. If it doesn't work out, it still works out, trust me. I have a routine when I arrive somewhere new. Read the generic blurb about where you are so you don't feel completely retarded, tell the cab drivers who are grabbing you before you are even off the bus to suck it, and head off with your head high in any direction like you know where you are going. You will be pestered every three feet "where you go?" if I knew that I wouldn't be wandering around for an hour! And if I wasn't a cash cow to you I'd prob ask for help. Anyway, tranny stomp around your new destination until you found something reasonable at least for one night, get cleaned up, eat, and go in search of more guest houses. I tend to switch the second night is once I've got my bearings on where I am.
Which brings me to today. I stayed at an absolute crap box last night right at the bus station because I wandered around the opposite direction of where I should have been. Cheap, but overpriced for what I got, basically a family lives here and has a open second floor where they through some mattresses on the ground. So I'm packing up and staying at On On Hotel.I'mm going to spend the day exploring the beaches Patong, (which sounds like the Las Vegas of beaches) Karon, and Kata (both of which are just as beautiful but more upscale, its 300 baht just to rent a friggin beach chair, thats double what i spend to sleep at night! PASS) and I'm off to Indonesia tomorrow to find my homosexual life mate.
Fun Fact: it's 500-800 baht to get a cab to the airport from Phuket town, or 89 baht to take the public bus. A gentle reminder, ask questions. Never stop growing.
I didn't head straight for the beach because it was more cost effective to stay in town, on the plus side however there are public shuttles to the beaches that run from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. for only 25baht. Phuket town is lovely on it's own with it's Sino-Portuguese architecture and a cool night breeze that washes a quietness over the town. There is a little strip of amazing amazing vegetarian food I can stop thinking about on Th Rangong that'll run ya 35 baht. Plenty of guest houses can be found west of the bus terminal on streets Phang-Nga, Thalang, and Krabi, but my travel book wouldn't tell me that because that would be to convenient...
A Rant by BB
Letting me know there a guest houses in walking distance of the bus terminal is great, letting me know in what direction would be even better. Getting a travel book is only worth it so you have a general idea of your surroundings, otherwise its all crap and a lot of information isn't correct when it comes to prices, plus these people are on a much more generous budget than I am. If I'm spending thirty dollars a night on accommodation I better be staying at the Hilton of beach bungalows. When it comes down to it just through yourself in there. If it doesn't work out, it still works out, trust me. I have a routine when I arrive somewhere new. Read the generic blurb about where you are so you don't feel completely retarded, tell the cab drivers who are grabbing you before you are even off the bus to suck it, and head off with your head high in any direction like you know where you are going. You will be pestered every three feet "where you go?" if I knew that I wouldn't be wandering around for an hour! And if I wasn't a cash cow to you I'd prob ask for help. Anyway, tranny stomp around your new destination until you found something reasonable at least for one night, get cleaned up, eat, and go in search of more guest houses. I tend to switch the second night is once I've got my bearings on where I am.
Which brings me to today. I stayed at an absolute crap box last night right at the bus station because I wandered around the opposite direction of where I should have been. Cheap, but overpriced for what I got, basically a family lives here and has a open second floor where they through some mattresses on the ground. So I'm packing up and staying at On On Hotel.I'mm going to spend the day exploring the beaches Patong, (which sounds like the Las Vegas of beaches) Karon, and Kata (both of which are just as beautiful but more upscale, its 300 baht just to rent a friggin beach chair, thats double what i spend to sleep at night! PASS) and I'm off to Indonesia tomorrow to find my homosexual life mate.
Fun Fact: it's 500-800 baht to get a cab to the airport from Phuket town, or 89 baht to take the public bus. A gentle reminder, ask questions. Never stop growing.
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
BB's first Thailand Diva fit
Dragging my ass to finally board the train I could not wait to fall asleep immediately. I step on my car, look around, no this can't be it. I read the ticket, get out and check the train again, I even asked one of the workers, yup this is it.
OMG, this is shit! I sat quietly, focussing on my breathing because I was feeling a lot like Whitney Houston in the 90's when she couldn't get her fix. Still in denial I walked back to the next cart, where once again it sounded like people were having a blast. But there car was just the same as mine, but they seemed fine with it. Had this been the first train I rode I would have been fine but this train looked like the titanic after it sunk and my last train looked like it did before it sunk. Ugh. And I payed more! Well at least it's empty so it will be quiet, nope not empty, cockroaches. I'm starting to come to terms as the train starts filling up, I'll be okay just go to sleep. How am I going to fall asleep on this friggin metal bench and how and when or does it, turn into a bed?! No I don't want a 50 baht orange juice!
So this guy is staring at me, forever it seems, at least he smiles but he's staring. Yup, French. So I wrap myself in my jacket so I look like Kenny from south park and magically pass out a little after 7:00 p.m. Only to have the French guy shake me away at nine so the lady can turn down my bed. Seriously within thirty seconds my rattling metal bench was transformed into a cushion little cave, maybe I was just that tired. I barely remember closing the curtain and I didn't wake up until 7:00 a.m. The man who slept across from me asked how I slept, straight through. Apparently the Dutch in the next car over were having a crazy loud polka party all night and no one could sleep. I didn't hear a damn thing. Moral of the story, pull an all nighter before your night train just in case and be a diva, it's your right. Also need to mention the French guy fed me breakfast in the morning, god they are so bizarre.
Fun Fact: there are places in the U.S. Where you can shoot a cow with a rocket launcher for 100 bucks. America, "yes we can!"
OMG, this is shit! I sat quietly, focussing on my breathing because I was feeling a lot like Whitney Houston in the 90's when she couldn't get her fix. Still in denial I walked back to the next cart, where once again it sounded like people were having a blast. But there car was just the same as mine, but they seemed fine with it. Had this been the first train I rode I would have been fine but this train looked like the titanic after it sunk and my last train looked like it did before it sunk. Ugh. And I payed more! Well at least it's empty so it will be quiet, nope not empty, cockroaches. I'm starting to come to terms as the train starts filling up, I'll be okay just go to sleep. How am I going to fall asleep on this friggin metal bench and how and when or does it, turn into a bed?! No I don't want a 50 baht orange juice!
So this guy is staring at me, forever it seems, at least he smiles but he's staring. Yup, French. So I wrap myself in my jacket so I look like Kenny from south park and magically pass out a little after 7:00 p.m. Only to have the French guy shake me away at nine so the lady can turn down my bed. Seriously within thirty seconds my rattling metal bench was transformed into a cushion little cave, maybe I was just that tired. I barely remember closing the curtain and I didn't wake up until 7:00 a.m. The man who slept across from me asked how I slept, straight through. Apparently the Dutch in the next car over were having a crazy loud polka party all night and no one could sleep. I didn't hear a damn thing. Moral of the story, pull an all nighter before your night train just in case and be a diva, it's your right. Also need to mention the French guy fed me breakfast in the morning, god they are so bizarre.
Fun Fact: there are places in the U.S. Where you can shoot a cow with a rocket launcher for 100 bucks. America, "yes we can!"
Thai police are Hot!
That was the quickest weekend ever, waaah Snooki.
The road from Chiang Mai to Pai is absolutely stunning but not for anyone who gets car sick, think of it as a long boarders paved paradise with so many bends you feel like you are going backwards. Unfortunately also not the safest, several people a month never make it to their destination. On that note my bus driver on the way home backed right into the middle of a mini bus.
I'm getting a lot more comfortable as time goes on with all the transport and finding places to stay and having a general feel for my environment. Funny enough Uncle Jason had mentioned the amazing race in a recent email and that's exactly what it feels like except the prize is getting the tumor off my back ASAP. I was nearest the door my most recent bus so I was first off, looked back at the rest of the group with a smirk and took off running down the street. Part of it is thrilling, then it becomes exhausting, always remember side roads are the way to go.
Pai is a bohemians dream. Wherever you turn you can get a chai tea, or wheatgrass shot, organic home baked goods, or Kambucha which is a fermented green tea made with sugar cane. It tastes like sparkling apple cider and has many health benefits. You can easily wander the streets for hours chatting with the locals (everyone was SO friendly in Pai) and every night there is an amazing street market with live Thai music constantly playing. You can find a street market anyone in Thailand but this one with two jam packed streets and tucked away in the mountains, had a much more relaxed feel. I definitely spent way to much money my weekend in Pai but there were so many treats to try, and if you weren't eating at the market you were paying a little more than you would like since it's becoming a destination.
There are also severals tours you can book if you are looking for a trek out. We all know I went for the reggae.
I showed up extremely early the first day. On the website the festival starts everyday at 4:20, hmmmmm? Go figure, but I heard there is always a late start, if the bands even show, oh! This sounds promising. I wander in around 5:30 just to get a feel for the space while the sun is still up, you know find the amenities. The toilets were literally walls made of leaves and a squat toilet in the middle. Fascinating. Around 7:00 I'm definitely ready for a beer, nothing is happening and there still aren't many people, mainly bit groups of people at tables being jack holes. Two beer in I wander down to the fire and meet three girls who I end up spending the rest of the weekend with.
Each had such a distinct fantastic personality. Ariel could have made a drink shoot straight out my nose at any given moment, she had me in hysterics all night, Emily had such a sweet and calm demeanor, simple to feel at ease around her and she kept us feeling iry all festival. And finally Sabrina, such a brilliantly independent girl who was always ready to take on the world... Of puppies, somehow she managed to have one in her scarf the whole first night. What I adored the most about her was she was in Pai stalking her ex boyfriend, loves her!
The music didn't start until after ten and before that dub step and trance was blaring from the DJ booth, if it wasn't for my new friends I would have found "Hugh the promoter", his fake Jamaica accent, iry vibe, and generic dreadlocks and told him I could enjoy a better festival on my iPod, which prob only has three reggae songs on it!
We spent Saturday on scooters checking out waterfalls and temples and the canyon. I've really lucked out on having a driver this whole trip. You really do need a scooter everywhere or there's a lot you will miss. And I even drove one, just a little bit, 13th and 14th gear were really smooth.
So we skipped the second night, which was alright by me since tickets were 500 baht a night and someone got stabbed to death. Instead we went to a bar where you can hear local music live for FREE. So that's the kicker of the festival, every band that played you could see for FREE any night of the week. Did I mention FREE? Of course we went for the last night because job to do was playing, it was worth it. By that point we had established friends, I had run into several from Ko Chang (including Jackey!) and got our sang sum in town which saved us 175 baht.
We danced a little too long because the free taxi never showed up again, but we were lucky enough to pile ten people into the back of someone's pick up and make it back to town just two hours before my bus departed. So we will skip the tragic bus ride and five hour stop until I got on the night train for Bangkok...
Fun Fact: Ask questions, answers are FREE!
The road from Chiang Mai to Pai is absolutely stunning but not for anyone who gets car sick, think of it as a long boarders paved paradise with so many bends you feel like you are going backwards. Unfortunately also not the safest, several people a month never make it to their destination. On that note my bus driver on the way home backed right into the middle of a mini bus.
I'm getting a lot more comfortable as time goes on with all the transport and finding places to stay and having a general feel for my environment. Funny enough Uncle Jason had mentioned the amazing race in a recent email and that's exactly what it feels like except the prize is getting the tumor off my back ASAP. I was nearest the door my most recent bus so I was first off, looked back at the rest of the group with a smirk and took off running down the street. Part of it is thrilling, then it becomes exhausting, always remember side roads are the way to go.
Pai is a bohemians dream. Wherever you turn you can get a chai tea, or wheatgrass shot, organic home baked goods, or Kambucha which is a fermented green tea made with sugar cane. It tastes like sparkling apple cider and has many health benefits. You can easily wander the streets for hours chatting with the locals (everyone was SO friendly in Pai) and every night there is an amazing street market with live Thai music constantly playing. You can find a street market anyone in Thailand but this one with two jam packed streets and tucked away in the mountains, had a much more relaxed feel. I definitely spent way to much money my weekend in Pai but there were so many treats to try, and if you weren't eating at the market you were paying a little more than you would like since it's becoming a destination.
There are also severals tours you can book if you are looking for a trek out. We all know I went for the reggae.
I showed up extremely early the first day. On the website the festival starts everyday at 4:20, hmmmmm? Go figure, but I heard there is always a late start, if the bands even show, oh! This sounds promising. I wander in around 5:30 just to get a feel for the space while the sun is still up, you know find the amenities. The toilets were literally walls made of leaves and a squat toilet in the middle. Fascinating. Around 7:00 I'm definitely ready for a beer, nothing is happening and there still aren't many people, mainly bit groups of people at tables being jack holes. Two beer in I wander down to the fire and meet three girls who I end up spending the rest of the weekend with.
Each had such a distinct fantastic personality. Ariel could have made a drink shoot straight out my nose at any given moment, she had me in hysterics all night, Emily had such a sweet and calm demeanor, simple to feel at ease around her and she kept us feeling iry all festival. And finally Sabrina, such a brilliantly independent girl who was always ready to take on the world... Of puppies, somehow she managed to have one in her scarf the whole first night. What I adored the most about her was she was in Pai stalking her ex boyfriend, loves her!
The music didn't start until after ten and before that dub step and trance was blaring from the DJ booth, if it wasn't for my new friends I would have found "Hugh the promoter", his fake Jamaica accent, iry vibe, and generic dreadlocks and told him I could enjoy a better festival on my iPod, which prob only has three reggae songs on it!
We spent Saturday on scooters checking out waterfalls and temples and the canyon. I've really lucked out on having a driver this whole trip. You really do need a scooter everywhere or there's a lot you will miss. And I even drove one, just a little bit, 13th and 14th gear were really smooth.
So we skipped the second night, which was alright by me since tickets were 500 baht a night and someone got stabbed to death. Instead we went to a bar where you can hear local music live for FREE. So that's the kicker of the festival, every band that played you could see for FREE any night of the week. Did I mention FREE? Of course we went for the last night because job to do was playing, it was worth it. By that point we had established friends, I had run into several from Ko Chang (including Jackey!) and got our sang sum in town which saved us 175 baht.
We danced a little too long because the free taxi never showed up again, but we were lucky enough to pile ten people into the back of someone's pick up and make it back to town just two hours before my bus departed. So we will skip the tragic bus ride and five hour stop until I got on the night train for Bangkok...
Fun Fact: Ask questions, answers are FREE!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)