Lost in Translation

Our words are in Bahasa Indonesia yet the response time after time is a look of horror followed with a murmured “I don’t speak English”. Though the pronunciation and word choice may seemingly be corrected it is indistinguishably similar to my ears. Yet, the Balinese people are warm and helpful. They shout greetings of “hello, how are you” and “good morning”… the later even in the dark of night. I have even had people start counting in English when I pass by their curbside perch.

After dinner a couple of nights ago, several of us went to track down a local bar for a study-break drink. Away from the copious tourist hotspots of Kuta, Legion, Ubud, Sanur, and Nusa Dua, the watering hole options are sparse. The supermarket seems to be the chief purveyor of beer. Nevertheless, we were triumphant!

*******************
Bir Bintang
Karaoke
*****************************

Admittedly not so interested in Karaoke but beggars can’t be choosers… right. The dim of the street and glowing sign above light the façade. The shadowy exterior gives way to a deep night darkness. No illumination. One by one, we stumble down the three steps. Searching for a sign of life. A female voice and another. They grab our hands and lead us to a lounge table. The music deafening. Seriously deafening. Scantily clad girls, a contrast to the conservative traditional, come over to shake our hands and sit around our table. We laugh and exchange looks. This place definitely offers more than beer and karaoke! One of the girls gives our sole male companion, Andy, a menu and holds a flashlight so he can read. Rp. 30,000 ($3.50) for a bottle of beer. Nearly twice what one may expect to pay elsewhere. It’s a treat.

On the back of the menu are ‘packages’. Four beers and 2 private ‘waitress’ for 500,000. The eyes adjust. Just the four of us. One older man. And perhaps 10 girls, who may or may not be in the sex trade industry.

We can’t talk because of the loudness. We can’t see because of the darkness. So we sing. Beatles. Oasis. Frank Sinatra. Whatever English cheese pops up onto the wall projection.

All this fun and home before 10:00.