In Search of Happiness.
While I love Bali, it is much like any other place in the world. However, it is a small place. Once you start to hang out at your favorite places, people get to know you. My social media has given me even more of an edge on the recognition bit, so I do get around.
When this individual contacted me, I was living in Jimbaran. Let’s call her Dewi even though that’s not her name. I was looking for a personal assistant and she applied so I decided to interview her. The interview turned from an interview to her telling her sob story. I don’t think she cared about the job, she needed someone to talk to. Dewi began with the fact that she was heartbroken.
This Was Nothing New.
Many women on social media post about breakups… The ending or beginning of their relationship can be very difficult. Dewi was next level because this was “her” story and it was worse than anyone else right?
Once more the Bule foreigner boyfriend theme came up.
She was in her late twenties, and heartbroken. Let me put this into perspective here. Most jobs here are from 8-12 hours a day. Long day little pay and one day off. Trying to date anyone with those hours can be very hard. However, when you date a foreigner here, they will most likely have more time and I hate to say it, more options than just the one woman or man who thinks they are in love with.
No Time for Love
Dating in Bali is like anywhere else, except that most visitors are exactly that, visitors. Yes, they may stay a week, a month, or even three until they cannot find a job and need to leave. So, they lie their way into women’s hearts. More often than not have sex, sometimes get women pregnant, and leave.
Couple this with a lack of time from the Indonesian girl, the girls get cheated on and are left heartbroken. This was the case with Dewi. The love of her life was cheating, and lying and eventually, they broke up. Being with a foreigner is looked upon as cool, fun, and different. Many locals are referred to as Bule Hunters, or women hunting for white men for an easier life.
As I laid this out from part 1 to part 4, this is a terrible rollercoaster ride. From sex, drugs, and relationships, Bali is no different from Toronto or anywhere else in the world. Except for the fact that it feels much like Las Vegas where the old folks are throwing money in the slot machine and hope to hell they get lucky. Las Bali I guess it is. Where a gamble rarely pays off, especially for young Indonesian women who come here to start a better life.
