It’s easy to
get used to the slow pace of things here on Gili Air. The constants are the
balmy breezes, lapping waves, pony carts
galloping by, and the hard-working but friendly Indonesians. The full moon
makes guys tattoo their bodies, but disapproving Indos consider the body a
temple not to be violated. Fishermen offload the night’s catch in tubs and
minutes later it’s BBQ time. There’s also a lot of low-level construction,
landscaping, and boat repair for the July-August busy season.
But there
are surprises if you walk the interior back roads of the island. Some narrow concrete lanes, even though the busy
travellers’ shore road is sand! Medical clinics, a mosque, and a typical school
where the kids spend their lunch money on treats. Hens and chicks, an
unfamiliar bird, lizards awaiting stray bugs.
Gili Air has
been a welcome oasis of no-cars, gentle tropical tunes, and comfort foods like
shakes and spaghetti. Even the sunsets on the recent stormy days have been
muted. Here’s to a million-Air’s.
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