Welcome to Xinapore

On December 15th, I leave Singapore and arrive in Austin.  The trip itself takes a full day…so really I guess I have 11 days.   Okay, 11 days and counting.  

I have put together a list of things that I’d like to do during my trip back to Texas (in no specific order): 

• Eat queso, preferably Mag’s Mud and/or Kerby queso
• Visit my new niece and nephew
• Play bingo - how did this become cool AFTER I leave?
• See all my friends
• Actually feel like it is December and experience a climate shift
• Spend time with my parents
• Eat a real hamburger
• Buy $2 alcoholic beverages
• Have a homemade meal
• Walk along the hike and bike trail
• See the 11th floor at FBATX
• Eat fresh vegetables
• See my dog
• Go to Whole Foods
• Drink a Mexican Martini at Trudys
• Go out on 6th Street - even if it’s Dirty 6th
• Drive my car - hopefully I still remember how 
• Wear a scarf and boots
• Shop at Target and Nordstrom Rack
• Drink Shiner Bock
• Play Texas Hold ‘em…in Texas
• Girl’s wine night
• Eat real Tex Mex

Thank you all in advance for accompanying me while I cross these off my list.  It would be rather depressing if you see me at Magnolia Cafe eating Mag’s Mud by myself.  I’m not above it, but it is not my preference.  

For those of you that don’t know, I traveled to Bali at the beginning of this month.  I can sum up my trip in a few exaggerated statements:

1. I became a millionaire and a VIP
2. I entered a brothel of male prostitutes
3. I cheated someone out of their life savings
4. I got hit by a car
5. I slipped and fell down the side of a cliff
6. I drank in front of a Buddha statue
7. I attended a funeral

Now, read on if you want to know what actually happened:

1. $10,000 Indonesia Rupiah is equivalent to approximately $1 USD.   I exchanged about $230 USD.  Do the math and I became a millionaire.  The hotel we stayed in upgraded us to a suite when we got there because they said it was “a special weekend for us.”  I still don’t know what the front desk was implying, as I was staying with a female co-worker of mine, Lee.  The hotel ended up being amazing.  The staff was super attentive and helpful.  When we went swimming at 4:30a, the security guard offered us towels when we were done.   If anyone is interested - the Niksoma Bali hotel is a top choice.   
2. Our first night in Bali led us to a few places in Kuta.  Now, this was not our original plan, but our flight was delayed from Singapore and by the time we got into town, this was the only viable option.  For those of you not familiar with Bali, Kuta is like Spring Break ‘99 all year round.  For you Texans, think South Padre Island in March…only with Aussies.  We meet up with Lee’s friends at a bar, that had about 10 different levels.  The higher you go, the more likely you are to run into female prostitutes.  Remember, I said male prostitutes above, so we haven’t arrived at our destination yet.  After visiting a few other establishments (Blue drinks, anyone?  Yeah, me neither), we ventured to a Reggae lounge named Apache.  If the place we were before made you feel like you were in South Padre, this place made you feel like you were in Jamaica.  Not the resort part of Jamaica, but the locals hangout.  And man, did the locals hang out.  This place was filled with Indonesian men hitting on female tourists.  At first glance, you don’t really notice it.   Then, the more you start to observe, the more you realize these guys are trying to seal the deal.  After chatting with one of Lee’s friends, I discovered that the men are just trying to secure a hook up, then in the morning ask for money.  It is not prearranged and the girl ends up getting bamboozled.  Needless to say, it was highly entertaining to watch the courtship on the dance floor. 
3. We traveled to Ubud for a day to experience some local culture.  This day ended up being my favorite part of the trip.  At the beginning of the day, we went to the Monkey Forest.  The monkeys were not shy, but as long as you left them alone, they didn’t disturb you.  I can honestly say, I’ve never seen so many monkeys in one place before that day.  After the forest, we decided it would be fun to go the local market.  I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, but thought it would be fun to get some local trinkets.  I’ve been to Mexico and Egypt and know to never accept the first offer from a shopkeep.  It’s all a negotiation.  I found a typical Balinese bag I liked (one sold in every store).  When I asked the merchant for the price, she said $70,000.  That’s about $7 USD.  In reality, that’s not much money.  But for me, in Bali, it was too much.  I told her I’d take 3 bags for $70,000.  When she refused, I walked away.  I don’t need them. I only turned around when she starting screaming - “Okay, Okay, Okay, come back!  3 for 70.”  Boom.  Negotiated.  I did this at a few other stands.  Some I walked away from completely; others, I got the deal I wanted.  Media buying skills can be applied to the real world after all.  
4. After the market, we went to the palace and then got some local food.  Deciding what to do next, we opted to take a walk in the rice paddies.  It had begun drizzling so Lee and I suited in rain jackets while the guys we were with, Nick and Austin, opted to walk in the rain to “cleanse” themselves.  Nick, who lives in Bali, led us on an offbeat path to get to the rice paddies.  It involved us walking in some back alleys before reaching the jungle floor.  While walking, a truck’s side mirror hit my arm.  
5. We make it to the jungle, a enclosed mud pathway, and decide that we should climb up the hill to walk in the rice paddies.  We made it up with out any issues.  It has been raining this entire time so everything is a bit slippery.  After tredding in the rice paddies for a bit, we decide it would be better to get back on our original path to go to this restaurant in the middle of the rice fields.  We are cautiously making our way back down, when my foot slid from underneath me, I land on my butt and slide down a mud cliff.  My feet land in about a foot a mud about 12 feet from where I was previously.  Luckily, I am not hurt (which is a miracle considering I have a knack for twisting my ankle).  While trying to escape the mud, my flip flop gets stuck in the earth.   I dig it out of the mud, encasing my hands.  Needless to say - I was dirty and was happy it was raining:  I could wash my hands.  The trek was absolutely worth it - not only was it beautiful, but because we arrived to the restaurant and experienced amazing food, teas and drinks.  All for about $13 USD a person.     
6. Yeah, that actually happened.  After we walked back to the city center, we bought Bintang beers and drank them in front of a Buddha statue.  No exaggeration necessary.  
7. By the end of the trip, my Reef sandals, circa 1998, had been through a lot.  It was with a heavy heart I decided to part with them.  I will always remember the good times.  RIP.

Exaggerations aside, a special thanks to Lee Komeda, Nick Kline and Austin Shiner for making this trip as awesome as it was!