Celebrity Tour Today!
I saw one tourist today, a bule (foreigner) like me. He was clearly drawn into himself and not interacting with anyone else! He looked a little out of balance and not approachable.
Me, on the other hand, seem to draw attention from everyone! Motorbikes slowed as they pulled up beside me on the street to say hello. One pair of riders said, “Hello Mister! Good Luck!” Ladies stopped me, kids stopped me, security guards stopped me. The manager of the restaurant (photo above) asked if, now that we have met, he could be considered a friend. Everywhere! I dropped laundry to be cleaned for tomorrow. The man at the laundry interrupted his lunch to help. Asking for a name, he couldn’t pronounce Larry! So now, I’m picking up laundry for Papa Bule tomorrow!
From my time in Ricky's
Yesterday, walking back from my dinner, I heard my name shouted from a restaurant. “LARRY!” It was four beautiful young women on their first extended trip. Such lovely people! Today, they are going with a guide to tour this area including a local farm. I got the name of the farm from him so I might visit.
Hello Ingrid, Flor, Elka and Lou! Correct me if I am spelling your names incorrectly! Lovely to see you!!
Ricky's Highlights
I had such a relaxing and peaceful and engaging time at Ricky’s Bungalows. After my long journey getting here. Then the hectic and busy pace of Kuala Lumpur, it was the perfect place to chill and relax! Below, I’m posting the gallery of photo’s from there. They don’t fully capture the spirit but you get the idea!
Peaceful morning meditation!
At Ricky’s, one thing I loved was waking early and sitting next to the ocean for an early morning meditation! I never heard a plane or car. It was so peaceful in the early morning when no one was stirring, only the forest life was talking!
Warm culture!
I met a man in Longmont who is married to a woman from Bali. When I mentioned that Bali is perhaps the warmest and most friendly culture I’ve ever visited, he said there was one other. The name, “Bukittinggi”! Now that I am here, I can see what he means. Few tourist anywhere in the center of town. People so curious and friendly. Everywhere I went yesterday, people waved, asked questions, stopped to talk to me, shook hands, etc. I feel like I have new friends everywhere!
The local tradition is for young people to take my hand and raise it to their forehead as a way of respectful greeting. Hundreds of children did that with me at the museum in Padang. Somewhere, teacher’s videos of those moments are circulating on the web! Generally, people are so curious to connect. One man stopped me yesterday. Said hello. Walked over to shake my hand. And said bye bye! Below are a couple images of the traditional greeting or people who wanted a photo with me. A young boy stopped me for a selfie. A young girl asked to walk along beside me!
After taking a photo and saying hello, I turn to leave and behind is a huddle of laughing or giggling people!
To be continued....
Yesterday, I was going to write. It took 30 minutes to upload 5 photos. Writing while photos were uploaded was impossible. I just found a small area of the homestay this morning with a faster connection. After today’s adventure, I’ll post an update.
At the moment, it is raining. It could be a soggy day on the back of a motorbike! Below is what Bali rice fields look like. Here, I’ll soon find out!
