Bali | The Start of a Solo Journey

...

And so it begins

... Here I am sitting on the floor of Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali, Indonesia.

I have no accommodations in place, no specific area or destination in mind, there are  rain clouds rolling in and these jeans are making the booty sweat.

So begins Mission: Agoda, Bookings, Google.

My brain is going into overload. Do i go to the beach? A villa? Economy stay? Mountains? North? South? East? West? I can not make a decision with all these choices.  The next place to pop out will be the chosen one.

<< Two hours later>>

I’m still sitting in the same place, still searching and now my belly is getting cranky. I'm beginning to think having a place to stay is one those minor details that should be planned beforehand; Dooly Noted.

[ moments later ]

“Hey, where are you headed? “

I ignore, assuming it’s yet another taxi drivers solicitation. They didn't move so I look up and in front of me is a tall man in flip flops, toting only a small backpack.

“Where are YOU going?” I  ask ,

Him: “Ubud, wanna split a cab?”

( Thought 1 ) Maybe I shouldn't follow a stranger to a place I don't know. ( Thought II ) I might as well go somewhere I don't know with some who does know where they're going.

Me: “Sure, Let’s do it”.

We finagle a decent priced taxi; and we're on our way.

The ride is filled with exchanges of how we got here, what homes like and what to expect  in Bali. Talking to my Aussie taxi mate, it's is as though we have known each other for a while. His bright eyes calming my anxiety. One hour and 150,000 RP or $12 later and we are at Alchemy, A raw vegan cafe with hippy vibes. We chat over pesto zucchini pasta and veggie quiche while we wait out the rain for AB’s friend, who may have a place for me to stay.

After about an hour and a half, In walks a german goddess. We do introductions then she points me to a market across the way. I don't necessarily want to stay in a markets back room but right now anything will do.

A young balinese women appears from a doorway at the back of the shop.

She says she has space for me!

....

AB and Aggy go on their way as I follow the women around the side of the market where awe slaps me in the face. The market is front to a three story open air mansion turned homestay. Private room and bath, balcony, outdoor kitchen area...  Only 14 USD per night.

___

The light fragrance of incense combined with the aroma of warm rain wraps me in comfort as  I lay across the king size bed. Impulsively I grab my cell.

* Unlocks phone *

* Doubles tap home button *

*Scrolls through recent apps  *

There’s my list of places to visit....huh...

WHY DIDN’T I LOOK AT THIS BEFORE.

Alchemy Cafe is numero uno on the list of “Food Places".

Synchronicity sure is something.

I'm look forward to what else Mama Bali has in store.