Back to normal after the memorials in Kuta Bali

The Kuta Karnival has finished with a bang. The memorial ceremonies were enough to emotional exhaust a priest, let alone a pagan devil like me.

I hope the relatives of the victims felt some relief from coming here and that Bali won’t always be a black spot in their minds.

There are some developments in the local tourist industry including Garuda increasing its flights for the coming holidays and the new Air Paradise service to Taiwan.

Here’s an article about the economic effect of the bombings. I know from talking to people that there has been a tremendous loss of money with local people existing on next to nothing. For people in Kuta area the average wage might be 400,000rp per month. I also hear how people get through life here. Friends who are from Singaraja or Karangasem often have 1 family motorbike and a relative has to come and pick them up, meaning another round trip 24 hours later.

Another friend of mine recently got a job at one of the Polo outlets. Her boss told her to cut her hair short, wear make up and buy a shirt, shoes and pants. She basically blew half a month’s salary on getting set up for the job. There’s just not too much leeway when you’re on an air-tight budget. I feel like a great big western pig eating out every day. I hope in some small way I’m helping tourism.

Latest from Vincent and Akari is they are in Sanur for a couple of days checking it out before coming back to Seminyak ( home base of the future) and then continuing around the island.

There’s a charachter in Kuta who I’ve got to got a photo of. He’s about 45, tattoed all over including his neck, is always drunk by 3pm and is the kind of fellow you just wouldn’t want to spend a long bus ride with. Bali attracts all kinds and this is one of the kinds.

A friend of mine Dave, told me a bar called Lips in Kuta was showing Monday Night Football live this morning. That used to be my favourite show but I resisted the temptation to spend half of Tuesday morning in a bar. For those interested the Rams demolished the Atlanta Falcons. Next week my Raiders are playing Kansas City in Oakland!

Ate at a place called Lesung Padi in Kerobokan tonight. Will tell you all about it tommorow.