The Purple Pinky

“Sudah pilih?” I was seeking out locals on my way home, asking them – point blank: Did you already choose? … More

Two Beaches, Worlds Apart

I’ve seen my share of beach. From Spain to France, from California, Florida and Mexico to Bermuda and Turks and … More

Tunggu Sebentar

Of all the Indonesian phrases I’ve racked up in my 6+ years of living on this isle (and there are … More

Bangkok: You Got a Hold on Me

Not much beats Bangkok in terms of its visual-feast-factor. Even though I’ve taken at least a dozen extended stops in … More

Nyepi. In Two Acts.

Yesterday morning, Bali hit the pause button. Homo sapiens and machina: exit stage right. Stay in the wings. Quiet. Out … More

The Banjar Boys Work Their Magic (Again)

All day I’ve been feeling like a little kid gearing up for Christmas. I know it’s March, so it ain’t … More

The Extraordinariness of Daily Life

One morning earlier this week, I am photographed and fingerprinted. How mug shots become normal. A make-work project for locals. … More

Walled In

I learned a new word in bahasa Indonesia the other day. Lembur. Overtime. Until this week, I’d never had reason … More

Of Bites, Last Rites & Tourist Sites

I should be used to it by now. Leaping from one side of the world to the other, floating through … More

Diamonds in the Rough

Once upon a time, a long time ago, I was a tomboy. The middle sister of three, I was always … More