23::Sulawesi to Singapore
2.13.97 Thursday
On the way out of Sulawesi, we visited
Chinese temple, all red and gold
Shell collection and orchid garden
Traditional harbor, with tour of sailing boat
In Singapore, we walked around the hotel and went shopping for wine.
The lesson I hate: the most genuine experiences are those in which I am most uncomfortable:
Being an object of hilarity in Biru
Settling into the princess’ hotel in Singkang, worrying about not liking the food at the Bugi banquet
Wonosobo: stuffy Chinese restaurant; at Nirwana Hotel – low class, but the only place to give us jackfruit instead of the usual pineapple-papaya-melon.
Pasir Putih: figuring out the Indonesian menu from the glossaries in our guidebook; hot tea and chocolate sprinkle sandwich breakfast on the porch of our humble room
Swatting away anxious vendors in Bali
Ujung Pandung airport. I lost my visitor’s pass. The airline ticket agent simply gave me a new form, but the emigration officer checked and shook his head: "Impossible, the codes don’t match." I should have reported it earlier to Jakarta. "Big problem. Have to write to Jakarta." After we hemmed and hawed enough, he asked if this was our first time here, said I’d have to promise to be more careful, but if he helped me out, I’d have to help him out "if you know what I mean." We passed him a $10 bill. When he asked if we had another, we said we were out of money. He passed us through. Anger: that slime bag! I felt like telling airport security, but of course I kept my mouth shut. Who knows where the corruption ends.
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