Hi Gram,
We all got up early this morning so we could head down into the “9” to meet Stacey for breakfast. The town of Ubud is spread out, but the central part of town, where the villas and hotels and restaurants and stores are densely packed, is packed into a circle at the top and one leg coming down the side. Stacey drew us a fun map showing some of the landmarks. It was originally a “g” but she decided the stuff on the bottom bar wasn’t as important, so it became a “9” and that’s just how we all refer to the map when we’re talking about where something is now. For instance, our Aribnb is “above the 9”, Stacey lives “on the bar of the 9, just south of the circle part”, and lots of fun shops and cafes are “inside the circle of the 9”. In any case, Dash and I walked down the bar of the 9 and met Stacey at Nourish Atman Cafe. There are a few Atman cafes in town, but this one has a great view out onto a rice field with sun shining in, a great find by Stacey.

I wish I could say that I was fully engaged in the conversation and enjoyed my breakfast, but I had a bit of a relapse to my addiction and spent most of the time with my face buried in my phone answering text messages and looking up things that crossed my mind. I vowed, once again, to reduce my phone time and increase my attention to my friends and the wonderful world around me. Okay, I did enjoy my breakfast, it was delicious, but I didn’t fully enjoy the experience of my breakfast.

Everyone satiated and my mind back in the present and physical world, we walked over to check out Stacey’s place. We dipped down a sidewalk from the busy and noisy street, the hubbub fading into greenery, a lounging area with seats and tables, and the pool. I love how you can go from busy cityscape to peaceful sanctuary in an instant here. Up a few stairs past a crocodile carved into the wooden handrail, we got to Stacey’s room and were impressed. A simple room with plenty of space to sleep and lounge plus a patio with table and chairs overlooking the pool. It looked like a comfortable base from which to launch one’s explorations.

After our tour of the Stacey base, we headed to my favorite shoe store that I’d been telling everyone about so they could try on sandals for themselves. Ashley found a pair that was comfortable, but they didn’t have them in the right size. Stacey did, however, find a cute bag that she added to her collection. We parted ways so Stacey could get ready for her trip to Nusa Dua and Dash and I headed to Cocomart to show them the local grocery and sundries store. Almost as soon as we walked in, I locked eyes with a satchel to carry my bits and pieces. I walked over and spent the next few minutes testing out the different varieties and shapes, putting my water bottle in, checking out the pockets, and envisioning where I’d put the different little items that I want with me each day but don’t want cluttering my pockets. After checking them all out and making the staff nervous about what this weird foreigner was doing, I made my choice and headed off to find Dash. We had collective laughs about the weird groceries, coffee with distraught-looking civet cats, and clothes before checking out with our purchases.

We’re in Bali, so we had to get a massage next, of course. We sought out and found a spa in a few minutes; they’re everywhere here. We headed upstairs to the spa and enjoyed the next 45 minutes of bliss. I didn’t enjoy this one as much as Golden Hands, but that’s kind of like saying that I didn’t enjoy the red velvet cake as much as the chocolate cake. It was still really good! I was a massage therapist a few decades ago, so I find myself critiquing technique and method even while I’m getting the knots and crimps worked out. I wish I could turn it off and just enjoy myself, but when I find that perfect combination of good technique, pressure, and pace, the pure bliss is worth it. After our recharge, we parted ways with Ashley, headed to get her hair done, and our part of four was now just David and I.

We headed towards the house but were stopped by hunger pains and a comfortable cafe, and we’re not the type of men who ignore that kind if pairing. We grabbed a couple of comfortable lounge chairs with a coffee table between us that allowed us to watch people walking past and ordered some carrot and ginger cold pressed juices. I had a craving for some food from back home, so ordered a chicken sandwich and fries that hit the spot while David enjoyed a quesadilla. We paid and continued our quest, stopping at the house to freshen up then headed to a barber. We walked into the small clean barbershop and sat on the soft comfortable couch to wait our turn in the magical chair. This barber was an artisan, clipping each hair on his client with precision and attention, taking his time. An Aussie walked in and asked for a haircut and was told to come back in three hours. Three hours! He planned on an hour for each of us, and that meant that his slate was full with his current customer and the two foreigners on the couch.

David went first with a fade haircut, a shampoo, and a shave. When the artist was done with him, he emerged a new man looking sexy and ready for his GQ photo shoot. I was up next to have him clean up my beard and neckline. I love getting a professional shave. The warm towels, the different lotions and salves, the straight razor, and the care with which he shapes and molds the hair leaves me feeling like a few billion rupiah! Once he was done increasing my face’s net worth, we paid our bills then started on our next quest – finding scooters to rent. I found a place online that will deliver and pick the scooter up, offers a first aid kit with the scooter and can sell you a SIM card if you want, but of course their prices are jacked up too. We found a lot of places that would have been happy to overcharge us and under deliver, but to our chagrin they only took cash. The clock was approaching 5pm, when it was starting to look like everyone closed. We were starting to think we’d have to come back tomorrow to complete this quest then we found one last place. He was getting ready to close, but was happy to take one more customer for the evening. Next thing you know, we were motoring down the road, wind blowing in our faces, smiling like school children who just got away with something. Instead of heading straight back to the house, we headed up the road a little, got away from the congestion, and got a feel for our machines. Happy with our choices, we eventually headed back to navigate the traffic jam between us and the house. Pulling into the flow of cars and scooters, we were quickly separated. Realizing that finding each other would be more difficult than just heading to the same destination, we talked on the phone and agreed to just meet back at the house. We parked the bikes and walked inside, amped up and smiling ear to ear.

Ashley was still at her hair appointment, so David and I decided to walk a couple blocks to find dinner while we waited for her return. There was lots of “oh, and then…” and “man! did you see when…” as we traded stories of our rides, walking down the road. In no time, we were at the Greek place that I tried a few days ago and escorted to our table near the window. The stories and planning continued over our dinners of chicken and vegetables, happily recounting our day. Ashley was released from her stylist’s chair and called to let us know that she was on her way back as we were finishing up. We all met back at the house to admire her new color and our new cuts before we all agreed that we were tired and ready to bring today to a close.