How to Lose Your Heart in Palembang

STEP 1: Be Tired.

STEP 2: Walk out and get some meatball soup and sweet cake. . .to GO. (very important detail)

STEP 3: Put your heart in the bag with the sweet cake and start walking home.

STEP 4: See the oldest little pedicab driver in the world and let him take you for a ride, not because you need one, but because his toothless mouth and leathered face are poverty defined.

. . .The pedicab squeaks, barely room for two. . . "Pothole!"

STEP 5: Arrive at home and ask "Berapa?" How much? See how the pedicab driver points to his stomach, then mouth. Reach in bag and hand him your meatball soup. But more more . . .overcome with the spirit of giving, hand him your sweet cake and see him smile. He shakes your hand vigorously. A hungry man indeed.

STEP 6: Walk to door and feel around in now empty bag for heart-shaped wallet purchased second hand in Cooperstown, NY. Now where could that be. . .need the keys. . DA DOING!!!!!!

STEP 7: Run down streets suddenly deserted. . .right . . left. . .not a trace. . .CONSPIRACY!. . .not a rustle. . ."Where is the oldest pedicab driver in the world? He has my heart, my keys, my cash!" The helpful ones will answer in chorus "Oh Eddie. . he's just down the street next to the satay stand." "Thanks." And as I walk to find Eddie I see him riding back with my heart.
"Miss I'm sorry. . .I think you left your heart in the bag."
"Thank you Eddie, please pedal me home."
"Ok."
Squeak squeak squeak. . ."pothole!"

But no. . .I didn't see Eddie again. . .it was left. . .right. . . vanished. . .the oldest pedicab driver in the world a little bit richer. . .hopefully smiling.

. . .and that my friends is how you lose your heart, your keys, and your cash. . . in Palembang, Indonesia.

xoxo
Tuesday

I'll be hanging my hat at Fortuna Hotel
for the next couple nights. Should be alright. Little India. No pedicabs there.