Massive delays, sheesh!

Dear shoestringers,

Why am I so slow??  It's part of my charm, and I'd like everyone to just go with it. :)  I have many updates to add, so be prepared for massive amounts of new posts coming this week!  I'm back Stateside now, and have had time to process/relax/garden/ponder.  And now I have a laptop that works so I have the inclination to write. It counts for a lot!

Love,
kirstenonashoestring

What can $10 get you in Singapore?

Red grapes (1/2 KG): 3.53SGD   $2.76USD
3 Fuji apples: 1.88SGD    $1.47USD

2-1.5L bottles of water: 1.15SGD    $0.90USD

Laughing Cow Cheese: 3.65SGD    $2.85USD

Chocolate Almonds (90g): 1.95SGD    $1.52USD

+GST (7%): 0.85SGD    $0.67

Total: $11.68SGD    $10.17

As you can see...it's not NEARLY as much as Indonesia!! I am curious how I make out in Malaysia...

An Update.

Hi shoestringers! 

Yes, there was some prolific posting after a month of absence. I am currently in Singapore and will be en route to Malaysia tonight.  I have some really colorful and delightful photos to post but I can't get the photos to load for some reason. I finally am really good at doing it...and now the site won't work. :(  I'll hopefully get it worked out but if not I'll upload them and insert a link for easy viewing.

Please keep your fingers crossed that this site just starts working for me again.  We all know technology is not my speciality...

Anyway, Singapore is amazing!  There are so many cultures condensed in a really small place.  It's clean, it's safe, it's expensive (it's a city that's not third world; of course it's expensive!), it's even...dare I say...friendly?  I met an amazing family yesterday and spent the afternoon hanging out with them.  My camera battery died so I wasn't able to capture any images, which was a bummer.  I've been busy here in my few days:  I've walked through at least half of the island, attended the big Chinese New Year celebration, went to a Flower Festival, saw Chinatown, Little India, and the Muslim quarter (where I am staying), as well as some FANTASTIC architecture all around the city.  Lots of green, lots of modernity, and more shopping malls than New Jersey.  I mean, maybe not, but it's got to be pretty darn close.  It's really hot and humid here and the malls are super air-conditioned.  Who knew I could love a mall?  Well, that's an overstatement. I love how cool (in temperature only) they are. 

I'd love to spend a couple of more days here exploring but it's brutal on the budget.  So off to spend three nights...on trains. Woot!  I believe I have a 30 hour train ride in front of me, though it's split into three stops.  Do you know what I am excited for in Bangkok already?  A shower. :)

Viva travels!!

A Letter.

Dear Bali,
Thanks for teaching this workaholic the valuable lesson of slowing down. As you remember, when I first arrived, my quick pace caused numerous injuries (the bruise on my right thigh muscle is almost gone-it's now the size of a marble as opposed to a grapefruit though I will always have the scar on my shin; the stripe bruise on my left thigh is nearly faded) so I learned to do everything at a slower pace. I walk slower, I eat slower, I get up...slower (that just means later), and I appreciate little things like spiders chasing ants and squirrels chasing each other. I'm sure you'll miss me, too, but we'll meet again someday.
Love,
Me

The Days Are Just Packed!

What, you wonder, have I been so busy with that I can't manage to update my blog? Well, as the title of this post would indicate my days are unbelievably full of activity. Let me recap my standard day for you: wake up groggy, to the sound of my neighbor calling my name around 10 am. Stumbling out of my bungalow, I have coffee and breakfast with delightful and charming Isa, which takes a couple of hours. We have things to talk about, coffee to drink, and views of the jungle to enjoy. The squirrels that live in our jungle are quite entertaining and it's fun to follow the 2.5 foot monitor lizard as he makes his way from one side to the other of the jungle floor. This is followed by a sad attempt at a nap (I've just had 2 cups of coffee, maybe 3, so epic fail is imminent), a shower, some relaxing...and suddenly it's 2:00. At this point Jonathan or Chris generally stop by, which means coffee, water, and potentially Bintang (beer) as well as conversation and potentially swimming. This occupies our day until approximately 5 or 6 pm. Then it's time for another shower and a gathering at either Chris or Jonathan's terrace for gin, wine, or Bintang at 7:30 (it's a standing date). Dinner happens around 9 or 9:30, followed by a nightcap at Deli Cat (more Bintang) and finally dancing at CP Lounge (more Bintang, good lord!). On occasion the evening ends at Circle K convenience store for Pop Mie noodles (ramen) with my “Pop Mie Hero” Agung. He has given himself this title, of course, but I think it suits him. The first time I brought my fellows along I think he was a little heartbroken, but we've managed to remain friendly. Jonathan is my neighbor, so he would then walk me home. If he has ditched us hours ago (which happens) Chris will walk me home and we'll guzzle water on my terrace until 5 am. Then it's off to bed...and it all starts again. If anyone inquires how I could POSSIBLY be tired and need sleep now that Jonathan and Chris have gone home, multiply that day by 5 weeks and it will all make sense. :)