The sun has come out both literally and figuratively. For the first time in four days my stomach has felt completely normal all day (still no appetite for greasy Indonesian food, though). And also for the first time in four days, the sun has returned. Thanks for all your kind comments and emails! I think I'm back into this trip!

Sarah, you were right this has been a highly memorable birthday. I woke up this morning (well, first, to no shower - of course!) and then to our film crew who decided to pay Nicole, Leslie and me a visit at our homestay. We had a good time eating our banana pancakes and goofing around for the camera and then our producer, Sylvia, interviewed us about the project and about our role as women in the group. Of course all the Cudamani members are men (there are no mixed gamelans here) and I'm playing with the boys in the brass section - it was a good fit for the documentary, I guess, but not really something I was dying to talk about. Oh well...our crew is really cool, so we had a good time anyway. Afterwards we just hung out and drank (fresh!) pineapple juice on our porch.

During the filming Jon and my fam called to wish me a happy birthday. It was great! It was such a relief to have a long conversation with Jon without the delay that we usually encounter on the Wartel (rustic "payphone"). After the phone call, our camera guy shot me walking back to my room with a huge grin on my face - I didn't know he was going to be there so it was rather funny.

I never made it to the spa or to the Monkey Forest today...it is so difficult to follow through with plans here! But tomorrow we've booked our driver to take us to Sanur Beach (about an hour south of Ubud). I'm looking forward to some sun and wading on the shore. I'll be sure to take lots of photos.

Tonight we're having Pizza Bagus (Bagus means "Good" in Indonesian!) at the nice house where our clarinetist and his family are staying.

Ciao for now! R.

P.S. I had two cockroach sightings today - the first was a small one in my bathroom and the second was a HUGE one in Leslie's bathroom. It was the length of her hand!!! I've got pics :)