Today went like clockwork. Ika, Jevon and I picked up Barbara from Oregon (not related to Ollie from Oregon) together with her friend Nancy. Both are around 50 or so, Barbara has been to Bali twice before, Nancy is a newby. I had to laugh, because Nancy is right out the ‘American tourist’ mold. Exiting the airport she exclaimed “Its so beautiful…what kind of trees are those?” This carried on all the way to Ubud, with carvings, people, petrol stations (petrol stations!!!), and finally the hotel telephone, “Oh my that’s a lovely phone you have, what kind is it?” getting compliments. Barbara and I had a chuckle, and Nancy is the nicest woman.
I’ll tell you what, if she is able to keep up her positive attitude, she’ll have a great time here. I just hope some of the vendors / locals don’t come on too strong, as that can turn a nice person the wrong way. It doesn’t bother me, I just tell them to piss off, but someone who is sweet and innocent can get taken for a ride.
Jevon played around in the front seat, as I dodged lunatics on motorbikes. The ladies in the back were somewhat jet-lagged, so didn’t seem to mind the excitement. Barbara wanted to make a pit-stop for a ‘jimmy widdle’, so I pulled over at an art gallery. Barbara nervously asked me if it was okay. “Just grab a business card and tell them you’ll be back later, after you use the bathroom,” I said. Poor Barbara was told ‘Tidak ada’ (don’t have) by the staff when she asked for the bathroom. I would of watered their lobby plants if they’d said that to me! Anyway we found her a nice new Pertamina petrol station (the one that got the compliments), and Barb was relived.
Ubud seemed decently busy today, with Japanese, Taiwanese tourists and a few ‘bules‘ exploring the ‘cultural heart’ of Bali’s shopping. The 2 older ladies were shagged after their trans-Pacific flight, via Taiwan. Ika, Jevon and I left them in peace and strolled over to Casa Luna. The reason I picked the Pradha hotel on Jl. Kajeng, for Barb and Nancy, is that it has great proximity to everything.
Casa Luna was out of arak! Man can a guy catch a break? I settled for a beer and lime tart (nothing like a tart when you’re in the mood), Ika going for the mie goreng ayam (chicken with fried noodles). According to her and Jevon, who ate half of the massive portion, it was ‘enak‘ (delicious).
So Ubud pleased all today, and tomorrow, Barbara and Nancy will wake up in a tranquil place, with all the food and art a lady could wish for.
