Fast Track

Still feeling out of sorts and totally jet-lagged. Walking around my neighborhood and spending time with my boyfriend, feeling like I'm walking around in a dreamland...

Returned from my trip of a lifetime. 

Solo travel=best thing ever. 

My Top Ten Lessons:

1. Always trust what I've come to call the "Tamstinct". I've always been hesitant to trust myself. I often defer to other people--their thoughts, feelings, decisions, etc. I realize I often know what's best for me. When I'm by myself I'm much more willing to trust my gut instinct and need to do this more often.

2. When you travel alone, you can always have the window seat.

3. When I'm alone and a little uncomfortable or anxious, I talk to myself or hum (I may have said a couple of swear words, lost on the street, trying to find my way across the universe...).

4. I am a logistical mastermind (at times). And decisive. And damn good at being alone (p.s. how am I supposed to ever date again? This seems tricky...).

5. They make it look really easy to iChat on the commercials. It's not.

6. After 21 days of Thai food, you're really REALLY gonna want a burger or steak.

7. Sometimes, it's good to not have a plan. I was delighted every day to not know where I was going to be next, where I would stay, who I would meet. So refreshing.

8. Talk to everyone you can! There are some really faboo people in the world that you can start a conversation with and learn something about a different culture, a new recipe, the best restaurant in town, the hidden bar, the backroad path. Be unafraid. Most people will like you. And if they don't, well, screw 'em.

9. You may not be here tomorrow--take advantage of every situation.

10. Always bring an extra memory card. I like to take a ton of pictures. Whoops. Somehow I forgot just how many pictures I seem to take...Oh, and I still hate pictures of myself.

Number of Days: 21

Number of Think Thin Bars eaten: 15

Flights: 13

Countries: 6 (7 if you count my stopover in Japan)

Interviews and Beaches: 9

Times I got yelled at in the Bangkok Market: 5

Modes of Transportation: 11 

Hours Spent in the Bangkok Airport: 20 1/2

Hours spent in air travel: 59

Number of heels: 1 (number of times I wore heels, once)

Number of pictures: 4,866

Books read: 5 1/2

more to come...

It's not easy bein' green

In Bali, when you're touring the rice fields with Diki,  you're bound to have a green day.

Part of my self-imposed color project.

Market Treats

Rice Fields of Jatauli

The colors of the leaves

Lush walkways galore!

Jalang-Jalang through the rice fields and and came upon Sari Organic.

A delightful Kermie inspired adventure.

Tête à Tête with Tammi - Thanks to Diki!

"Yesterday is a story

Today is a present

Tomorrow is a mystery"

-Dikibali

While here in Bali, on the advice of my dear friend Kathy Krafcik, I hired a driver to tour around during the day. I had the sheer pleasure of being picked up one morning by Diki. Traveling around Bali with Diki is a bit like going out in NYC for the day with Deborah Lohse...the man knows everyone!

Diki is a self made man. He previously worked at the Four Seasons in Ubud. He worked his way up from dishwasher, to pool boy, kitchen assistant, bellboy, bell captain, and then concierge. He left the job after ten years to be a freelance driver. 

"We have two choices: when the mind is good, we see good. When the mind is not good, we see not good" -Dikibali

He loves Kenny G (particularly what a talented saxophone player Kenny is) and he says we get along in many ways except that I don't like the "romantic music". He took to calling me "Lonely Tammi" the first day, which morphed finally into "Happy Tammi". I found it quite fitting :)

Sometimes you meet people and they have no idea the sort of influence they are having on you. For me, Diki made this time here in Bali one filled with laughter, fun, acting like a goofball, and the only pictures I'll have of myself this whole trip courtesy of my "ladyman" Diki who was always willing to carry my bag and take over as photographer. He allowed me to enjoy every moment of this trip. One of the days, we had gone to a famous temple and Diki wanted to go down to the water. It was crystal clear, warm and beautiful. He wanted me to jump in,but I was hesitant. One of his mottos was, "You are not here tomorrow". Made me realize that even sometimes I feel stupid or unwilling to do something, I've got to just do it. I may not be in that place the following day. I may not be here on earth another day. Time to live it up!

"What I do, I have to enjoy it". -Dikibali

Diki was my guru for the week. My piece of sanity. My only English conversations! Diki is a man of honor who raises his two girls as his wife is working in Egypt. I called him a "wonder man" as he can do it all. He gave me his favorite recipes, love advice ("looking for a person is easy, it's looking for the right one, that is hard"), showed me hidden little corners of Bali off the beaten path, took me to delicious restaurants and kept me smiling the whole time. Diki, if I can find a man with half your wit, charm, lightheartedness, charm and honor, I will be happy.

Until then...

Subject: Dikibali

Male, Denpasar

What do you spread on toast: Egg & tomato

What makes you happy? (He gave many sarcastic answers)

What time do you wake up? Early when I have to be responsible, late when not

What is your favorite place to be? Singapore

What is your favorite time of day? All day Sunday (day off)

What was your favorite age? 21

How many jobs have you had? 3

What is your favorite quiet spot? Lovina--with the stars, moon and sea

Where do you rendezvous with friends? everywhere

How do you get around town? motorbike, bicycle, van

How many countries have you visited? 2

How many brothers and sisters? 5 brothers

What is your favorite memory? Sweet, of a woman (great long story behind this one)

What is your favorite food? local=suckling pig; restaurant=pizza