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.

Proper Etiquette in Indonesia

In my travel to Bali, Indonesia I found this one relaxing restaurant right by the crystal clear blue waters. As I walk into this restaurant; called Dragonfly I saw many delicious dishes with silky steam coming off the plates. When I walked up to the front desk, they escorted my to the tables on top of the roof. I asked the lady if I could please sit by the window glass of the ocean. I had heard many good things about this place, and to remember to burp at the end of the meal to show it was delicious and also to show the chief some respect. I had something I still deeply regret to this day! While waiting for my food to come I was watching the yellow-green trees swaying in the wind, and the buttery-yellow sun trying to set in the distance. When my food had came, it smelled so good! All the different wefts of, steamed vegetables, barbequed Balinese ribs, and all different dishes of rice. As I took my first bite it was so mouth watering, like something you have craved for the longest time and had finally tasted it. I was starting to finish up my plate, when everyone was starting to turn around and look at me and my now empty plate that I remembered. I had stupidly forgotten to burp at the end of my meal! I suppose eating at restaurants back in San Diego did not prepare me at all for dining in a restaurant in Bali. After all, if you want respect in Bali or any Indonesian restaurant, you have to show respect to the cook by burping. Otherwise, in San Diego it is considered disrespectful and a rude outburst to other diners.