This And That

Mask-less in Bali 

The little Sanur newspaper reports again about recalcitrant foreigners in Canggu who refuse to wear masks. Previously, the fine for not wearing a mask had been 100.000 rupiah, or about seven dollars. It has now been increased to one million rupiah (70 dollars), with an additional option to deport for repeat or combative offenders. Canggu, as I may have mentioned previously, is a popular locale for foreigners of the generally wealthy and/or irresponsible, arrogant sort. Why are they not wearing masks? Well, who knows? Maybe for the same reasons many Americans are refusing to wear masks or choosing to reject the science behind mask wear. There is a certain disregard by some for the laws and culture of this little island that is hosting them, and I find this distinctly repugnant. They seem to believe that living outside their home countries releases them from obedience to laws of any sort. At the same time, Bali depends on tourism and foreign money for its very existence, and so there is no doubt some reticence to actually impose these fines, especially during this COVID season when the island economy has shriveled on the vine. The news is that Bali will be opening again to foreign entry in early April, but we will see if anyone actually wants to come, given that the rollout of vaccine response is naturally far less efficient than in wealthy countries and as a result COVID will persevere here for some time to come. 

Renovations

A veritable storm of hammering and sawing and drilling and pounding has ended, rather swiftly, actually, in the erection of a roof over my wall garden area, which is really pretty nifty. Beforehand, one could not possibly sit outside in the back if it was raining, or at midday with the sun beating down, but now we have a cozy little covered area complete with hanging plants and electricity, perfect for a relaxing smoke in any weather. Next, I am told, will come the erection of a covered area at the front of the house, which will also feature a garden. That should be nice too, once it's accomplished, as the front area has been previously uninhabitable in any sort of weather, being either way too hot or way to wet. 

The final addition (as far as I know) is a washing machine in the back area, which Nengah will now be able to use to wash my clothes at the house rather than take them to the neighborhood laundry. In truth, Louis, who will be living in the house next door for some months, insists that the clothes done at the neighborhood laundry come out smelling bad, and so the main point, for the time being anyway, is that she wants her own clothes washed at my place. I personally have never noticed any bad smell from from laundered clothes, but Louis' nose has always been very sensitive (or perhaps her imagination simply more active). This will no doubt extend Nengah's time at my place (still on Tuesday and Thursday), but oh well.  I guess I'll just have two coffees when I go out rather than one.