Most conversations with Indonesians are along the side of the road, and they’re all men. It’s ‘Transport, taxi?’ To which I answer Tidak! (no). Or it’s ‘Hello, how are you, where are you going, where are you from, where are you staying’ (one or any combination of them). They’re usually trying to get me into their restaurant, shop or transport, or have things to sell like jewelry or sarongs. I usually just say Hello, ok, that way’ and keep walking.
In the restaurants the waitresses are usually female. Occasionally they’ll also ask the questions and I’ll give more detail. And they ask if I am alone (yes) and if I have a boyfriend(no) and are then shocked that I am traveling alone.
The Lonely Planet says for Indonesia it’s not common to travel alone as a woman and that it’s sometimes best to make up that you’re meeting friends or a husband, and some people even wear a ring. I did wear a ring the week before I went on the boat trip but it didn’t seem to help much in the street. I’m thinking in future just to say I’m meeting friends soon. On the other hand, if it’s only just to not shock people, and not for my own safety(which seems fine here), then I think I’ll just stick to the truth.
And am I so brave, by traveling alone? I don’t think so, plenty of women do it, just have to be sensible. And I had a bit of a cry last week some time when I felt a bit lost, and then again when I was sick.
On a similar note, apparently(through talking to the few people I have spoken to traveling alone) there’s more people traveling alone in Thailand etc. I think this is partly to do with it being Indonesia (there’s just less backpackers here), but also the time of year. Right now it’s high season, European summer holiday. Not just lots of couple traveling together, but also friends on uni break etc. Some for 3/4 weeks, some for 2 months. I’ve have only met a handful of people traveling longer than that.
Ehh, anyway, that’s my random mind dump for the day.
