Bothersome Bali

Sure, most people would kill for two weeks in Bali. Don't think we're not grateful to have spent time in this tropical pardise. However, nowhere in our four months in SE Asia have we been bothered more by hawkers trying to sell us things, especially the Kuta Beach area.

Of course, you might say that Bali is as touristy as it gets and we're white-waling ATM machines, so what do you expect? I get all that, but it was nonetheless over the top.

Example One - while walking down the street, we are both clearly sporting sunglasses & watches. It seems that we are somehow looking bereft of these common accessories because we only have one of each. In the course of walking one block toward the beach, we are stopped by no less than five people trying to sell us a watch or sunglasses or both.

Example Two - as we are less than 1/2 block from the beach carrying a surf board, towels & other assorted beach items, we areasked by at least four people if we need transport. From the direction we're walking, the items we're carrying, and our proximity to the beach, it seems fairly obvious to the casual observerthat we are not in need of a ride anywhere.

Example Three - as the guy next to us was getting a massage in his beach chaise-lounge, a roaming beach vendor taps his leg to get his attention to try to sell him a tatoo. "Cheap, cheap" was said multiple times.

Example Four - while sitting at the beach in my own chaise-lounge, I emphatically told a roving masseuse/manicurist/pedicurist that I didn't any of her services multiple times. She decided to sit down on my chair against my protestations, pick up my foot and make disapproving sounds about the state of my nails. "Need pedicure, yes, yes".

All of these attempted exchanges begin with something like, "Hello Mister", "Where do you go?", "Hello My Friend", "I remember you", or "I remember you". You have to hand it to these hawkers and roaming beach vendors because they are beating the pavement (or beach) enthusiastically every single day. We understand this is their job, we're in a developing country, etc., but it still gets old fast, especially when one of the more enthusiastice salesman actually grabs you as you are walking by.