Thoughts while in Bali

Three days left in Bali and by now it leaves me with a smile driving through the city streets. I have accustomed well and got myself a scooter. Amazing how being mobil has changed my experience here. I am no longer being hazzeled by the never ending – transport or taxi – call outs when walking on the sidewalk, or what they call sidewalk but actually is more like an obsticale course and made me always nervous to catch my flip flop or worse my whole foot in the concrete cracks. The walk into the town of Ubud in total was never enjoyable and I felt irritable by the time we get anywhere. Not wanting to stay in this energetic at any time while being here I did what worked for me and got myself some wheels. I don’t feel quiet like a local yet driving as there are no traffic rules and I still have to concentrate so much that I am sure I am a funny sight to watch, all serious under my way too big half shelf helmet. I realize there are still parts of town I have not explored and so it is my mission to do so in the remainder time. The people are lovely here – so friendly so peaceful and can I just say what I enjoy so much as well , there is no stealing here. You know how nice it is to just put your helmet on top of the mirror at your bike and not have to worry. I see people leaving there entire groceries behind. Wouldn’t that be nice to go back to these days where one would think that a stinking helmet is not something anyone could desire. I have spent two days on the gilli T island as the white people called it in slang. The proper name is Gili Tranwangan, the largest of the three Gili islands belonging to Lombok. Gili T is said to be the party island and I contest to the truth of that matter. I was not there for the party but rather it is the easiest island to get to and honestly I was dying to get away a bit from all the couples. I knew Bali was honeymoon destination number one and I get why but traveling as a single I found myself annoyed by looking at all the happy couples. (We did see some unhappy ones, too. I’de say I give them at least two more years before their relationship will end in inreconsilable differences.) I did find what I was looking for on the island: Cristal clear water, white sand beach and sun. Once you leave the party scene behind on one street you can actually find beaches all around the island that are deserted, only me, endlessly screening my eyes over the aboundance of shells and coral peaces carpeting the entire stretch of beach. And so I splourged spending two nights in a geourgeos bungalow, all dark wood with the large white bed, dancing white sheer courtains all around for moskito protection. Yes, it, too, was the perfect honeymoon room, but this I didn’t mind, to stretch my legs in all directions, fully enjoying my room, my time, my bed, The place had front beach access and all lawn chairs reserved for little me. One of the owners was German, post or present hippie, usually living in Berlin, when not in Bali. We had a beer and chatted. You can appreciate that even the most hippiest looking person coming from Germany atually has had a most qualified education, including University and therefore the conversations with Martin were interesting, lasting and wordly. We set front row, watching all the white people walking by on their way to the next coctail party and every once in a while a local would greet Martin, saying something in Indonesian, a language which I in the one month did not pick up at all, not even the hello and thank you. I don’t know, but this language does not stick with me at all. Oh well. Gilli T is entrily taken over by tourism, there is no doubt about that. Water shortage and trash mountains are creating a huge problem and for me a personal conflict for being there. I asked Martin all sorts of questions as I was worried about the additional water plastic bottle I just consumed and personally curious where the water came from, provided in the outdoor shower for me. Martin shared all the concerns this island is going to face with the ever increasing tourism on the island and the very little solutions for the problems. I am afraid there weren’t too many concerned visitors and I want to perhaps simply blame that on the age range of all the travelers there. 99% of all people coming to Gilli T are young hipsters, surfers from all over the world, age range 18 – 24, I guessed. And for them I have to say it truly is heaven. If I had a daughter or son that age I would absolutely support them to come here. Its safe haven, beach time, fun as fun happens at that age and also perhaps a fun way to be introduced to your first mushroom experience.

Officially unemployed.

637 000 people in the US filed for unemployment last week. I am one of them. I officially registered myself into the system of social support. Its nice that they call it unemployment insurance. That was about the only thing that could make me feel better and clear some of my guilt about having to "sit on the states pocket" or "live of all other working people" as some like to describe the unemployed. It was a fight with my integral mind which argued back and forth between - there are people who need unemployment support more than I do - and - I deserve a little money after paying into this system for so long. Fact is that I have been a working, tax paying member of the society since I was 15 years old. It started with packing jam at a factory in summer to earn my first vacation and then I already contributed to the States system of giving up a part of your earnings for something else, even though we never truly really know for what. I had my early thoughts about fairness in that, especially when you sit in a factory all day long, earning every Deutsch Mark with blisters on your hands due to hot boiling jam containers. But over time one resigns to or lets say sees little chance in fighting the system in that matter and just accepts it. Ha - I would love to walk into one office (which such office does not exist) and say: I am tired of paying taxes. I refuse to give up my money to someone I don't even know. From now on I only want to share with the people I know and love and choose myself where my share should go - I am a capable human being and as such guarantee that it will be spread well and equally!!! I demand a choice over my hard earned money in full!!! Seriously so, I guess it was all sort of acceptable when the percentage of your deduction were around 20%. Ja I can see how I would say I keep 80 or 75 percent and be charitable with the rest, but looking at it now we are at 42% - almost half! Where is she going with this you say? Well, I made my case, I successfully justified that I deserve a little back from the big melting pot of deductions and contributions I have made in all these years. You can tell there is some lingering conscience and its deeply rooted in my Germanness that only a working person is a good, wholesome, worth while citizen and deserves to live. Its not like we were taught socialistic slogans at the time I grew up, but it's true that my up bringing somehow has influenced me in my thinking of work and worth in combination. Perhaps its some secret ingredient in the baby food, added by the government, for all the good German babies to follow in a manner to be proud of. While this is not the first time I am out of work or in transition, this is the first time I ever ever filed for unemployment and asked for support. While going through life there aren't so many first time experiences any more and as such I am taking this day as a memorable day in learning how to be just one of thousands in need of help of others.

Viva la Swine Flu

Of course I would never celebrate a world wide epidemic and most certainly share all the concerns there are around the recent Swine flu break out, but I would like to report some positive affects of the situation after coming back from Mexico. When traveling to a popular vacation destination like Cabo San Lucas in high season, one can expect a full airport with the usual Hawaiian shirt wearing people already drinking Margaritas in the airplane while getting in the mood for their trip or full hotels of the same kind, also you certainly expect having to fight for a beach chair and I heard some even get up at six in the morning only to put a towel down as a reservation indication before heading back to bed for more sleep (too funny), the clubs may be full with grinding up bumping dance scenarios. However when traveling during an outbreak of en epidemic what happens is that people panic or simply are super cautious and as such they stay away, which in this case I have to say turned out to be an advantage. I was upgraded on the airplane, had a whole seat row to myself for some peaceful sleep, was upgraded for only $10 to a 2 bedroom suite at the hotel as we were the only guests in the house, the front row beach chairs were all reserved for me, I had the pool to myself every day, the bar tender gladly mixed extra strong drinks in celebration for something to do and added a two for one offer, I walked for hours on the beach without seeing a single sole and altogether we just had Cabo all to ourselves. I felt bad for the locals loosing so much money right now on missing tourism and all conversations around this subject confirmed the situation was serious for all affected. The reason going to Mexico was for my old roommate Brad's wedding. The wedding events were extended to 5 days with tons of fun. A good solid San Francisco/DJ/Burning Man crowd as part of the wedding guests did secure a good party. The wedding was beautiful, perfect, perfectly planned and the best get away excuse I every had. I am grateful for having been invited and receiving the chance to enjoy some beach time before coming back to San Francisco and starting over. That's how it feels to me after being gone for so long. I regained my energy and am ready to start my job search and meet new people.
By the way - Why is it called swine flu and not pig flu? Anyone? It's not like swine is a commonly used English word.....

Books without borders

Hermann Hesse - Steppenwolf
Woahhhh - I can't believe I have been waiting soo long to read this book. It's a classic and I love it. I actually tried reading Hesse in German before and sadly it doesn't speak to me. Only in English I am allowed to get to know the fine skill of this oh so very German writer. A bit strange, I know. In German this old style form of writing sounds so foreign to me, many words I don't understand and the distant, complicated constellation of the sentences make me drift of rather than indulge into the era of then. And I love "then", the time of Bohemia with all its forbidden social gatherings, the costumes, the masks, the balls, all its sexual energy mixed in a fine cocktail, hidden under the corsage. I love the formality spent "then" to pursue an interest of some sorts. The English language translation is superb. I could not put the book down. It had me wrapped in the time, but also in its little wisdom aspects about love and live. There are several episodes that made me recognize why this writer was also able to write Siddhartha and how. Steppenwolf has many aspects of teaching us about samsaric live, none attachment, death and the realization of impermanence told from the perspective of this rather pessimistic or shall we say realistic dark character and his muse, his wisdom teacher, lover, seducer and temptation. Here are some of my favorite lines from the book:
"Ah, Harry, we have to stumble through so much dirt and humbug before we reach home. And we hae no one to guide us. Our only guide is our home-sickness.
"I had escaped time altogether, and went my way, with death at my elbow and death as my resolve. I had no objection to sentimentalities. I was glad and thankful to find a trace of anything like a feeling still remaining in my burnt-out heart."
"There is beauty in farewells and a gentleness in their very tone."
I would love to see Steppenwolf as a play. If anyone wants to take me out to see it, I am there.

Back in SF for one night only

Only one plane ride away - I am back in SF for one night only before taking of to Cabo San Lucas. My dear friend Leta picked me up from the airport and I am so grateful. Not only since I once again was completely over packed and struggled with my luggage, but more so for the moral support. Coming back from traveling for four months is as hard as leaving. My mom frequently asks me why I still want to live in San Francisco. My answer always is the same, letting her know that as long as there are butterflies in my stomach when driving into town from the airport, seeing the skyline, that is my sign that there is something here for me to come back to. But last night driving in there were no butterflies. Nothing was moving inside me driving into town, my old neighbourhood, entering my apartment. I had become estranged. Is this possible after only four months? Yes, it is. I felt it strongly, the town and myself as two strangers meeting. One of course has to consider that over the years I had more than just SF to return to, a job, a relationship, a car, an apartment, a class, a degree - all things that tight me here. In my current situation with all these ties cut the thing that is left is the town alone and as it stood so stiff, gray and huge in front of me last night coming in, I realized that I had to start all over again, befriending this giant and I was not excited about it, knowing that with everything new there was the old to let go of first, well everything except my old friends of course. Those I will be very excited to see again. I will need you all, I will need a hug, I will need a shoulder, I will need guidance around town like I had never been here before. I am not afraid to show and share that traveling has made me stronger and also more raw on the inside in many ways. Today I woke up thinking: What are you doing here? And thus far I have absolutely now idea. Please help me figuring it out. And in return I will gladly share my stories and offer myself newly as a good friend.

From India to the Austrian alps

Traveling in general is about contrasts. Some are smaller, some are large, as large as the Austrian alps. I ended my India trip in Delhi. I gladly returned back to Delhi after my trip to Kerala, although there, too, I had made good friends in the end and left on a positive note after a fun weekend. Coming back to Delhi so was like greeting an old friend. I have gotten to know the city well enough now to know my way around, pick favorite spots and restaurants and embrace all sides with the smells, the noise, the people and perhaps also a touch of Western luxury in form of a movie theater inside the air conditioned mall. I was excited to be back and spent my last day sight seeing, exploring Lodi park. The heat was overwhelming, sticky. Towards the evening I cruised around Saragini market to fetch the last of my presents for friends and family. I felt happiness inside my tummy to leave. I was analyzing if my feeling came from being done with India in general and came to the conclusion that my trip was simply ending and my excitement was simply about the next beginning. In conclusion I would like to say that I will be back to see my old friend Delhi some day and also to explore the North of India more next time. As Arnold would say: I'll be back.
Only 24 hours later I found myself in the greenest of green, staring up against a gray giant with white tips. I went to the Austria with my family for a weekend get together. We spent the weekend in a beautiful country home with a view like no other. The surroundings of the mountains is breathtaking, the trees are in full blossom, the grass stuffed with blooming wild flowers, the birds are wildly arguing and the cow bells sounding from far away on the grassy fields. This is anyone nature loving heaven, untouched and pure. Coming from dusty, gray, hot, polluted Delhi this is the spa treatment for my lungs and a complete visual contrast in front of my eyes. Can you imagine? We laid in the grass, played ball, cooked together and created harmony with each other in a way I did not know we were able to as a family. I took deep inhales with the realization of how fortunate we are in the West, how wealthy on nature resources, how very wealthy in our middle class rich lives, how very very lucky to be born here.

Travel Book Review - Numero Dos

The White Tiger - Aravind Adiga

Booker price winner 09. This book is a new release and from a first time novelist, a young Indian guy who lived in US and UK. Overall I have to say this is a great read, fun, easy, insightful and definitely gets you hooked to wanting to know the final plot of the story all the way to the end. I may be a bit bio-st since the story plays mostly in Delhi and all the visual descriptions this guys is putting me through is what I have seen and lived through every day here in town, yet I could have not found the same words ever! Brilliant. I found myself walking the streets of Delhi exactly the way it is. The story is the kind of Slumdog Millionaire type thing but here it isn't pure look and common sense that bring the young boy out from the bottom like in the movie, here it as actual murder, a brought up opportunity that could not be passed up. A very believable story that has you perhaps emphasize with the murderer and not the actual victim for obvious reasons which are introduced fully at the time of it all going down.
A point of criticism - Perhaps it was the editor, but the style of English is a touch too American for my taste. The punch lines and every day dude type sayings are overkill and really bug me. Here I would have much rather heard a British Accent which I thought would have fit better anyways.


A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers - Xiaolu Guo

This is the monthly read for our all women books club. I inhaled it in one go. We are only meeting in two weeks to discuss so maybe I shouldn't say much, but all in all its just a cute read. This is a story of a young Chinese girl going to London for one year to study English at one of the language school. While there she falls in love with an English man and moves in with him. While living with him she describes her every day experience and difficulties of understanding the language, as well as difference in culture. By the end of the year the relationship turns to a somewhat co dependent scenario, leading to a decision point by the time her visa expires. And its not a happy ending either. This book made me think that perhaps I had never loved before. The way she fully gives herself to this man is intriguing to me and something to admire. The writer does a great job sticking to the characters consistently and I am glad there is no happy ending as it would have appeared unreal for the characters to change so drastically that this relationship could have had a chance to survive. Not that it didn't deserve it looking at the connection of both. As the girl in the book is learning English she has to constantly look up words in the dictionary to try to understand, mostly after the conversation was over. The dictionary entries are shared and therefore a true experience is created that for any person who starts to learn a language a diction airy entry with all its different meanings can add more to confusion than clarification. She also compares some times English words with the Chinese dictionary and shares the meaning with us then, which are funny and visual. Virgina for example is called dark tunnel. Cute.

Arundhati Roy - The God of small things
I sat in the internet cafe in Kerala when looking up on the for sale books shelf. Arundhati Roy - this name seemed familiar to me. I had heard it before but the book cover was unfamiliar to me. I always remember books I read by the covers even if I don't recall the title or author. I googled here and found that the book had won the booker price in 97 and from what I could tell was her only novel since. But then I read more about her and found she had since here book fame become a very important political activist, living in Mumbai. And then I was sure I had probably read something from her while at CIIS. She writes articles and a blogg about world politic and economic subjects and has become an important public figure and speaker since. All in all enough reasons for me to buy her book and read it. Turns out the book is partialy autobiographical and Roy grew up in Kerala, hence why the book was promoted everywhere I went thereafter. I even passed the island she lived on and the story is mainly set in while on my backwater tour. Roy took me on an extreme visual tour through what I was seeing right there and then and like with the White Tiger I enjoyed so much getting the story told while being at the actual place in time. In this case we have no happy ending - girl made it out of the slums story - quiet the contrary. Its not a surprise really since the fact of a death of a 9 year old, the girls cousin, is shared in the beginning of the book and the story is leading of to the event of it happening. Actually we also right from the start get how all went down to shits after that death happening and so its clear that the book is going to be quiet depressing. Yet one wants to know how it actually really came to the little cousins death and so you stick with the story. Roy jumps back and forth in time and also between some dreams of some characters. I found this a bit too much to keep track of. In terms of her visual descriptions I thought she went a bit overboard with it. I have noticed this happening some times with first time writers where the description goes like this: The place was like this, and the air smelled of this and the moood was such ans such and the book in hand reminded me of this and this and then she had and accent like someone I knew who looked like this and this - etc. You get the point. Each peace of the sentence/paragraph consists of a visual description and she does it a lot! For a very visual person like myself what happens here is that I am taken from one highly visual place to the next, from the flower the pollen to the smell to the bee and in the end I actually forget what the story behind the sentence or paragraph was saying. I remain in the visual la la land on my own. With some extreme focus I made it to the end of the book which we all knew already ends with the day of the little cousins death.


Next is Hermann Hesse - Steppenwolf