7

PELABUHANRATU
(HEMP BRIDGE)
JAVA INDONESIA
white man many of them had ever seen. But (
completely opposite from town's reaction) they hardley
stared at all. Just calmly looked up + returned to
their business. Some of the kids did a double-take.
I just walked on by, smiled + said "Hello" (I'm not
sure they even understood "Hello"). I came to the
stream, quite sizable. A fairytale bridge crossed it.
I could not cross quickly as my steps set it to
swaying alarmingly. It was made of wood + kemp,
+ stream visibled below between planks. The kids
seemed to know what my camera was + gladly
posed where I indicated on the bridge. On the other
side the huts were even more primitive, + the paddies
terraced up the hill, out of sight, nestled among
countless huge black boudlers. There was a crude
black scarecrow with hooked arms + a child's --
drowning face attached at an odd angle. The intensity
of the green light was nearly overwhelming. It
was a bit slippery walking the "tightrope" 6 inches
wide strips of mud separating the paddies. The
women were doing the wash in the stream; the
kids were frolicing. The water was so inviting (and
I + my clothes so thirsty) I was especially glad for
a dip. Felt so good! Afterwards, I smelled like
antisweat (I'd got used to my B.O. as I'd moved
too quickly this week to wash + dry clothes).
After a refreshing cold drink at the tiny village
I returned via rabber plantation + beach, to