Yesterday Jay and Debbie left for the airport in typical style, Debbie getting everything ready and checking the time frequently, Jay giving me a last minute guitar lesson.
I have a guitar but can only play one song ( Sweet Melissa by the Allman Bros.). I say play, that’s not really true, I can strum the chords. Jay quickly taught me a new strumming pattern, worked on my technique and showed me ‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door’ ( Bob Dylan ) and ‘Talkin Bout a Revolution’ ( Tracey Chapman ). Plenty to get on with.
I really want to get into playing the guitar and the other day on Jl. Benesari I went into a drum shop where I saw 2 Indonesian guys playing. “Do you guys teach guitar?” I asked. “No sorry” they said. “Even for beginners?” I said. “No, but why don’t you bring your guitar down here to jam with us.” they said. Their names were Budi and Ari and the place is between Good Luck restaurant and the nasi padang joint on Benesari. When I get time I’ll go down there. I want to develop a decent strum first though.
Jay and Debbie arrived at my house via a ride from Richard, one of the guys who is building at house up near Gunung Batukaru. That morning he has yanked his back playing soccer with the kids ( poor old guy! ) and asked if he could spend the night at my house instead of driving home. I said no worries and ended up giving him a mini tour of the area. We had a drink at Benny’s on Blue Ocean beach in Legian, then caught a cab to Rumours on Jl. Oberoi, Richard ordering pan-fried chicken and myself beef stroganoff, both for 20,000rp!
After that we hit JP’s on Jl. Dhyana Pura to watch a local salsa band called Buena Tierra. This band plays at JP’s 2 nights a week and features 3 acoustic guitarists, a bass player and a conga player. They were all good and mixed Latin tunes with popular western songs. Richard requested Mrs. Robinson by Simon & Garfunkel ( showing his age ) and they knew it. The lead guitarist was absolutely ripping! JP’s is located close to Jl. Legian and has a cool atmosphere. No cover charge and music 7 nights a week.
Our next stop was Tu Bar down the end of the street for a game of pool. Tu Bar rents out their table by the hour and it was already taken so after 1 drink we moved on to Santa Fe where a local Balinese group was due to perform. I was so funny watching decent musicians ( drummer, percussion player, bass, lead guitar and 2 female lead vocals ) try hard and give a good performanceÂ…but with songs that went like ‘groovy groovy sexy, groovy groovy sexy ‘ etc. I said to Richard “Why on Earth would anyone include a dumb song like that in their act?” Once again I can see how the locals are battling a western game plan that has been dropped on top of their own system. The band played only western songs which they can play and sing wellÂ…its just they haven’t quite understood what is cool and what isn’t. I imagine westerners trying to play Balinese music and give the right meaning and think they have a tough job. For a Balinese band to actually rise above just being another bar ‘cover band’ playing other people’s tunes it takes a songwriter who can relate to the intended audience.
One band that has risen above the masses is Saharaja (spelling?) a former regular act at JP’s. They are on tour in S.Africa and Europe and I hope they crack it.
On an entirely different note I have a couple more papayas developing on my big tree in the garden and on another tree tiny ones a coming through. These trees grow fast and I imagine you’d have to watch out for these things sprouting up if you had a lot of land you planned to develop. A mango tree would be nice too!
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Come on all you Bali bloggers what are you all doing ! There is nothing more annoying than having to find something to do when your *** bored in work. Compared to a year ago there appears to be less comments the last few months. So come on folks i am getting sick of logging in and out of Bali Blog to check if there has been anything posted since my last view this morning - (6 -8 hrs ago) So come on give me something to argue or talk about folks….
Later Mark
Mark
The daily postings have become predictable and boring.
Hey Nick, I’m trying to do my part here. Okay I,m in L.A.right now in body only but my soul went there months ago. Iwill physically be there in Sept. Thank God. My husband is an amazing drummer and always plays @ The Apache Bar and Espresso Bar in Kuta. Little joints but really fun. We’ll have to check out your hangouts. When I read the letters in this forum it really puts me there and makes the insanity here bearable. More input everyone,please. The sanity you save could be your own.
Bill’s comment makes me think how easily we become bored, especially if we know what’s coming up. I include myself here, and wonder why this is so. Do those who live simple lives, close to the land experience this?
In my experience most Balinese people look nice, smile nice and ARE nice.
Much of the scenery is breathtaking. The climate is very easy to take. The food is good, the shopping is good, the socialising is good.
Holidays in Bali are an absolute bargain, regardless of the level of luxury we do or do not require.
This has all been said before and no doubt will be said again, over and over and over.
But saying things like this does not inspire spirited debate, does it?
When computer technology has developed to the stage that some particularly talented person who has “departed this world” can start a Heavenblog, then once the novelty has worn off, I suppose we’ll all be saying, “All they ever seem to do there is have a good time. How boring!”
In my experience most Balinese people look nice, smile nice and ARE nice.
Much of the scenery is breathtaking. The climate is very easy to take. The food is good, the shopping is good, the socialising is good.
Holidays in Bali are an absolute bargain, regardless of the level of luxury we do or do not require.
This has all been said before and no doubt will be said again, over and over and over.
But saying things like this does not inspire spirited debate, does it?
When computer technology has developed to the stage that some particularly talented person who has “departed this world” can start a Heavenblog, then once the novelty has worn off, I suppose we’ll all be saying, “All they ever seem to do there is have a good time. How boring!”
Somehow or other I managed to say it twice. How boring!!!
Notice the bored one’s don’t offer anything other than to say “They are bored!”
Oh well…. Samapai Jumpa!!!
I am busy as heck at work so many new things going on here, that I have not ahd as much time to read everything!!!!
I still come on & check things out, but don’t get to write as much!!!
I still think nick is doing a tremendous job & thank him immensely for all his effort & info…
Aku juga Tracey. Sibuk terus…
Come on all you Bali bloggers what are you all doing ! There is nothing more annoying than having to find something to do when your *** bored in work. Compared to a year ago there appears to be less comments the last few months. So come on folks i am getting sick of logging in and out of Bali Blog to check if there has been anything posted since my last view this morning - (6 -8 hrs ago) So come on give me something to argue or talk about folks….
Later Mark