One Year Away

Penny

We try to get away from very touristy places
because they are often overcrowded, overpriced and
not all that interesting.  When we arrived in Bali, we were bracing for the worst!  We expected to see thousands of westerners in Speedos baking their already red sunburnt bodies in the sun while locals tried to sell anything and everything.

But after the Bali bombings and it being late January/early February, very few tourists are here.  Instead of packed beaches, restaurants and streets, it sometimes feels like the place is deserted.  It is common to see completely empty restaurants and bars even after 7pm.  The number of hawkers on the beach is
also noticeably low.  Those who still try to sell their goods (surf lessons, massage, manicure, picture frames, belts, sarongs,…) have a look of desperation in their eyes.  Goods that they could sell during the busy season for 150,000 rupiah, they are now more than willing to sell for 50,000 rupiah.  They almost beg you to purchase their goods often talking about the need to pay for a loved one’s hospital bill or for school tuition.

So, we got what we asked for… no tourists.  Unfortunately, the lack of visitors also decreases the vibrancy of the place and gives it an air of despair.  Bali is famous
for its nightlife so we wanted to go out on Saturday night.  After only one drink, the lack of ‘party-goers’ and ambiance made us want to go to sleep.  But we stuck around since we’d heard that things get going at around midnight.  It was after 1 AM and the most popular places on the island were still empty.  We decided to head back to our hotel.  Be careful what you wish for!