Molly Lincoln: Indonesia

         In Indonesia it is not proper to point with your finger, they use the thumb instead. Also touching, receiving, or giving someone an object with their left hand is to be avoided. Because the left hand is considered as the hand used for dirty work. Then when you want ones attention you are suppose to wait to be noticed by clearing your throat or clapping your hands. While I was visiting the Pura Lingsar Temple I did not follow any of these rules, so I was being very inappropriate to the others, and later was very embarassed by my own mistakes. The Pura Lingsar Temple is located on the Island of Lombok at the north end of the beach at Ampenan. When visiting this temple that has several tall skinny buildings surrounded by shrubs, you are expected to wear a sash or sarong in order to enter the temple. I forgot to bring a sash or sarong so I purchased one at the vendors located outside the temple. I walked up to the vendor and pointed to the one I wanted with my index finger and the man standing behind the table turned his head is if he didn't notice I there. After a few moments I finally just grabbed the sash with my left hand and gave it to the man and said, "excuse me sir?" He finally made eye contact with me and glared into my eyes like a cat staring off into the dark. I handed him my money with my right hand, and he just looked at it then finally accepted it and watched me walk away in dismay. I was inside the temple and saw the pool of water located in the wektu telu area, sacred to the deity vishnu which smelt of clean fresh water, with burning candles. This pool is home to a family of holy eels who can be lured out of their hiding with hardboiled eggs. I was eager to see the family of eels so I went to the little stand to purchase a hard boiled egg that had a strong stench of old yolk. When I tried to receive it with my left hand that lady would not give it to me. So i stood there with my left hand out waiting to receive the egg I just purchased then caught myself yawning. The lady behind the vendor gasped and turned away to help another customer. I was left standing there alone full of confusion. I finally walked away thinking about what I possibly could have done wrong. Later the day I finally realized about the etiquette in Indonesia that learned about before I left for my trip. I guess it all slipped my mind. I've never felt more embarassed before in my life, and I now regret my actions. I felt dumb like a doorknob. At least now I know what I did so now I easily fix my mistakes. But that will probably be the last time I visit the Pura Lingsar Temple.