Indonesian mother-in-law in Seminyak Bali

My mother-in-law is visiting right now, staying in Kuta with Ika’s bother and sister. She’s around everyday, which is okay with me, as she enjoys playing with Jevon. As far as doing things and eating out, she is completely undemanding, which I like. At home in Java, she cooks at home all the time, never going to a warung. The places she would go out to eat at, are the covered street-side shacks, that you find all over Indonesia and Bali. On the upper section of the Sunset Rd, are typical food shacks, with banners advertising the kind of food, ‘Malang, Madura’ etc.

Ika’s mother does not speak any English, and has a completely different perspective on life, having been brought up in difficult economic times. I asked her what her hobby was and she said “Chasing the money.” The other day a Tom & Jerry cartoon was on TV. “My mum doesn’t like Tom & Jerry,” Ika said, “she gets frustrated, that the cat never gets the mouse.” Weird! The whole point of Tom & Jerry, is that a smart little mouse, with a sense of humor, can outsmart an angry cat. I guess someone from a ‘law of the jungle’ environment, would like to see some blood.

Tommorow I’m taking Ika and her mother to Pasar Badung market in Denpasar. It was my idea, as I think she might enjoy the rough & tumble of a big market, plus Pasar Badung has some Muslims selling traditional clothing, upstairs.

After the market, we will head up to Ubud, as she expressed desire to see Ubud. Where exactly we’ll go there is still up in the air, I don’t think Museum Blanco, with the nude paintings, or an arak madu at Casa Luna would work. I’d like to get a martini at Naughty Nuri’s Warung. Travel articles rave about that place, some saying they serve the best martini in Bali! Would be nice to see what all the fuss is about. Ika’s mother requested that I drive slowly, as she doesn’t travel in cars very often and is scared of speed. After the recent Adam Air crash, she said she wouldn’t fly home if I offered her 5m rp.