Lame yet Magical/ Goldilocks and the 3 Bears

After a month of being in Bali, my personal reaction is that it is both lame and magical.

In many ways, Balinese logic does not follow the Western path. Their priorities are sometimes different. Certainly their common ethics and justifications regarding financial dealings differ (such as astronomically overcharging those who they perceive as being able to afford it).

What I find especially perplexing, at times exasperating, and certainly inconvenient, is the inconsistent quality of service and goods geared toward the "hospitality"/tourism industry. Worse, is the general lack of concern regarding the fallout and wasted time for all concerned! As a tourist, this get's old. You'd think after all these years of tourist feedback, and their current dire need to attract and retain visitors, that they'd catch a clue.

It seems Balinese would rather go to a lot of extra trouble to make up for something that is "broken", than take the initiative regarding maintenance and avoiding shoddy products and construction workmanship. They go on about business in a good natured way, and almost seem to be proud that they are taking care of you while you are being inconvenienced.

Basic functionality and ergonomics are not to be assumed. The existence of fans, electrical outlets, shower heads, and bath spouts, is no guarantee that they work. Usually, one discovers these "inconsistencies" at the most inopportune times. For example, after gargling and spitting out my toothpaste, I've discovered that my bathroom sink drained directly onto my feet. I've discovered that the toilet paper had been placed inconveniently out of reach in the western style bathroom that therefore lacked rinsing capabilities. I've been completely nude with shampoo in my hair, and had all my clothes soaking in a sudsy wash, when the shower gave it's last cold water gasp because someone forgot to flip the water pump switch after one of the frequent power outages; fortunately the downstairs accommodation WAS functional and vacant. I've been freezing in bed in the typically cold damp mountains, only to discover that there is no way to close up the 8x1 ft ventilation slats to the outside. In the latter case, dry clothing left out became damp, and towels never dried, for the 5 days I stayed there.

3 of 3 Balinese purchased electrical converters and power bars have been disfunctional. A shop owner has gleefully admitted that the overpriced electrical converter that he sold me doesn't work because it's cheap and of inferior quality. We're just talking about getting the prongs to fit securely, or at all. It makes me nervous to think about what else could be wrong! I've learned, the hard way, to check everything in a room before unpacking. I also have the extra time consuming challenge of secretly wiring the hotel room to be (relatively) secure and laptop/camera recharge friendly... so I also now check the outlets... many are simply placeholders and were never wired in the first place. Sometimes, I'm reminded of goldilocks and the three bears as I go from room to room to find one that has an acceptable constellation of working features. Recently, in Yeh Sahih, not one single room out of 3 had the showerhead, bath spout, and fan, all working. I moved to the room without a working spout, but in the end figured out that the "working" ceiling fan must have been installed backwards because I felt not breeze even when only inches away.

Ah well... one must be flexible to see past the inconveniences, to feel the magic...