Ubud, Bali,  12 04 2023

I had my last dinner in Ubud with Aluna’s mom. We went to the family run warung again that I tried to get a table for the last three days. 

The family of my homestay dressed up today and headed to the temple, leaving me alone with their dogs who were seeking my company meanwhile. Now it’s raining and I am in my room, open terrace doors and the soothing sound of rain on tropical leaves. 

Earlier today I went for a short hike on the ridge, and had a homemade pineapple juice at another family compound. To my own embarrassment I had forgotten my wallet and could not pay the 1 Euro for the drink. I apologized and promised I would come back and pay. Eventually I was smart enough to call a Grab bike and ask the driver driver to borrow me 20k IDR to pay the kind lady, and reimburse him once he dropped me off with his scooter. Why do I always get myself in such situations? Haha. Two days ago I forgot my phone at a local restaurant and noticed it a while later, luckily finding it safely at the restaurant kept by the owners. 

People here seem mostly genuine and not looking for their own advantage. I guess it is their Hindu religion and concept of karma that makes them more virtuous people, and they always have a kind smile on their faces.

Well today I was also almost ripped off, when a market lady asked for 850k for a seashell decoration, when I knew it should be around 300k. I bought it for 220 eventually. 

I like Ubud, but I would even stay in a more quiet area, family style, next time, to fully withdraw from the tourist craze and be more in tune with the place.

I was so annoyed and turned off by tourists’ behavior at the monkey sanctuary, Russians and other nations being total pricks, removed from nature, disrespectful and flat out dumb. I hate people. 

Sometimes I text Topo about my experiences, and while I am trying to not rub it under his face that I am on an extended workation and living my best live, I still feel like sharing my very significant and positive encounters. 

He just replied asking if I “found my calling now, I was never going to leave and stay there forever”. I understand he is a bit insecure about me leaving for so long, but I was only trying to share something beautiful. He never called me so far during my trip, even I offered it, and that after the non-amicable goodbye and this statement are signs that he tries to imagine or figure out a life without me.

I did not get upset, really, just a bit baffled, and replied that “Bali is not forever, just to appreciate and let go”. A metaphor?

Tomorrow comes the most emotional part of my journey: HONG KONG