The year was 1998. Crude oil was $15 dollars a barrel, the Adelaide Crows won the AFL premiership and the thirty two year political reign of Suharto had come to a close.
I had just finished the Sumatra-Java leg of my journey and once again found myself on Bali to unwind before heading back to Australia.
Over the years of traveling to South East Asia I had become accustomed to buying a cheap guitar at the beginning of each trip to play along the way and upon the completion of my travels I would give the instrument to a young person who showed some interest in the instrument.
On this particular trip I was in Ubud for the last week and had just settled into a cheap losmen off Monkey Forrest Rd. I took my guitar and started to strum a few chords quietly when after a short time I noticed in my peripheral vision a timid face appear around the side wall of my room. After some more playing the small figure of a boy, maybe ten years old, moved into view and we exchanged smiles. Motioning him with my hand I encouraged him to sit next to me while I played and was more than pleased when he accepted my gestured invitation and plonked down right along side me.
Well not to get to long winded, over the next few days at late afternoon for an hour Made(the losmen owner informed me of the boys name) and myself sat together enjoying each others company, me occasionaly playing then handing the guitar to Made to make some noise. The look of excited fascination on the young chaps face as he held the instrument signalled to me this was the lad to be the recipient of my gift and on my last day I gladly handed over my guitar.
Now fast forward to 2003. Five years have passed and I'm walking down the street in Ubud having just spent three weeks lazing at Dreamland, swimming,drinking and playing guitar. I am easily identified by my height, colouring and a couple of tattoos I have and am sure this enabled a fifteen year old Made to hola, "mister Hammockman, mister Hammockman" from across the street. I would not have recognised Made at all as he was heading well toward manhood with his widening shoulders and increased height. He had learned a little english as well and after alot of laughing and back slapping Made asked if I would wait right here and he would be back.
I sat down on the kerb, still chuffed at meeting this young guy from five years before, and awaited his return. After maybe twenty minutes I see Made and another young man coming up the street both carrying guitars. As the two get closer I recognise the guitar I gave to Made in the hands of the other young chap and Made proudly carrying a shiny new instrument.
"You like Indonesia music Mr Hammockman?" Made asked me grinning ear to ear.
"Yes" I replied
The two then sat with me and played a very interesting rendition of an Indonesian song. With many stops and starts,atrocious timing and singing that made local dogs howl I sat through perhaps the greatest song I think I have ever heard