Saying goodbye to old friend in Bali

This evening in Seminyak there was a small gathering, about 30 people or so at a bar by the beach. The wind was blowing and the sand flying. The occasion was an old friend leaving Bali for good, and people wanted to say goodbye.

Of all the people there, I knew him person the longest, going all the way back to Santa Barbara California in 1988. He moved to Bali in 1991 and when I first came in 1993 he took me around on his motorbike through the narrow gangs on Padma Timor, and through the ‘jungle’ to a friend’s place in Legian (there was actually jungle there at one time).

Expats come from all corners of the globe, and many wind up staying in Bali by accident rather than design. Many get comfortable and never plan on leaving. Actually the thought of leaving to some people is scary, and some people scramble to avoid that.

This evening one of the guests was a lady who I met on my first trip to Bali, who’s house I visited. Back then I was blown away by the design, open on 3 sides with the ocean right there. She still has that house, but will move out next month. Very cool to meet her again and talk about old times.

My friend is off to a job in another Asian country and says he feels great about it. Anytime a long time member of the cast bows out it feels a big of a downer though.