Katie's been suffering with what she called the Balinese Belly, which is our version of Montezuma's Revenge. She hadn't eaten in over 48 hours so the teacher took her to Denpasar to a doctor to get medicine. Denpasar is about 1 1/2 hours from Ubud which is where she is now. After the doctor's visit, which cost $20 including medicine, the teacher took her back to Ubud and made her stay at her house until she felt better, and so the teacher could keep a close watch on her health and nutrition. Katie says she feels a pretty strong connection with the teacher and they have talked about things that are far outside curriculum, which I know is the reason Katie feel the closeness to her. But how nice that teacher was to take Katie to the doctor, then "mommy" her at her own home until Katie was better. One thing Katie has said, almost from day one, about the Balinese people is that they are extremely friendly and helpful.
The last month Katie is in Bali she will be working at a restaurant, on the Western side, making things she is familiar with such as cupcakes, Ken's jambalaya, Mommommie's Pollygosh, chicken fried steak and other Western/Texan food. She doesn't think she will be getting paid for this as she would have to get a working Visa which cost $300, so she will be doing it for free but will get really good experience in a different kind of commercial kitchen. The owner has said he will write her a letter that she can put with her resume. However, during this morning's chat with Katie she said her teacher is going to see if she can get paid because she will be working hard for this owner and should get some money. It remains to be seen and I really think Katie feels the experience is payment enough.
She took her midterm and was smiling from ear to ear when she told me she made a 96. Doesn't surprise Mom that she made a 96, but I'm proud as I can be with her grades. She has spent a lot of time lately writing papers so I know she is studying and working hard with not so much play on the weekdays. The weekends are a little different.
One evening a group of girls tired to find a place to sit, have a beer and relax. They found a bar with darts and Katie was so excited. She said she won every game and that they had Heineken, her favorite beer. She said the bottle was huge and it only cost $2.00. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing!
She is really wanting mail, so if you have a chance to write her a letter, please do. Her address is:
Katie Kemper
PO Box 138
Ubud, Gianyar
Bali 80037 Indonesia
The rates for letters are:
1 oz letter - $.98 (a 2 page letter is 1/2 ounce)
2 oz letter - $1.76
2 oz letter - $1.76
3 oz letter - $2.54
4 oz letter - $3.79
5 oz letter - $4.62
If you are willing and interested in sending her something other than a letter you can find the postage rates at http://pe.usps.com/text/Imm/il_003.htm#ep1382290. You will need to scroll to the bottom for the regular mail rates and not the super expensive rates shown at the top. I did ask about the flat rate boxes USPS has at their post offices, but was told the rates are more than if you use your own box. A video tape box is $18.00 and the next size up is $35.00 to mail to Indonesia.
I mailed Katie a package that was 9x6x4, (approx), and it weighed 1 lb 12 oz and cost me $17.00 to mail.
Interesting set of pictures Katie put on Facebook. But for those not FB savvy, here you go:
Interesting set of pictures Katie put on Facebook. But for those not FB savvy, here you go:
This is a gigantic spider...and the next picture will show you just how large...
The gigantic spider caught a bird in its web.
And on to more appetizing pictures...here is a picture of the feast they were served at their farewell dinner in Yogakarta...
How many days now? Katie just told me 63! OH! And she's CRAVING Mexican food. She said when we pick her up at the airport she wants to immediately go have Mexican food and order a tall margarita and she doesn't even care where we go. I think I'd be going through withdrawals too.
The gigantic spider caught a bird in its web.
And on to more appetizing pictures...here is a picture of the feast they were served at their farewell dinner in Yogakarta...
How many days now? Katie just told me 63! OH! And she's CRAVING Mexican food. She said when we pick her up at the airport she wants to immediately go have Mexican food and order a tall margarita and she doesn't even care where we go. I think I'd be going through withdrawals too.
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