Wow is all I could say when I opened up today. I was overwhelmed and extremely grateful to all of you who have reaponded. I'm sure Bill has a wry smil on his face and is gently shaking his head. 'What is the fuss about?'
Well in that same trip the first thing my friend Janelle (you may remember her from Filo's writings) and I went to the Pantai to see 'our friends' On the way I stopped at the great little deli next to the Dynasty and got 4 jars of Chuppa Chups. That's 400 for the unitiated. Filo as you know was the 'candy man'and gave out chuppa chups to all and sundry. Chidren and oldies were a priority as were the cardboard collectors and rubbish men keeping Bali clean.
I left the cashier at the shop with 4 empty containers and a chuppa chup. Off to Jln Wana Segara. Tommy Tailor was first and invited to the ceremony. Tony Marrone, the watch man was next. Lots of tears there. Off to the driver's Bale by the Holiday Inn. Some sad faces and a few tears and Made being very brave.
Fiinally down to the Pantai and Lisa, manicurist was alreadythere. Chuppa Chupa for the cooks, waiters, trainees and anyone else who wanted one. These were of course all distributesd on behalf of 'Papa Bill'.
Next was Adi, clothes, Wyan, massage, Mona, jewellery,Monica jewellery, Andrew, silver, Eddie, watches, P{eter the kiteman and Ayu the waitress. Tears and chuppa chups abounded as we hugged and Janelle handed out tissues while wiping her own tears away.
So we all sat down, except Ayu as she had to take our oders for Nasi Goreng, the essential large cold Bintang and other beverages. When the food arrived, everyone waited until we all had our food and then all of them put a little of the cabbage leaf on the table and a small fork of rice. This was for Papa Bill. More tears.
Then the jokes and laughter followed. I still see all of these people and help tham as Filo and I did together. Monica has 4 children 2 in secondary school now and a useles husband, Lisa's daughter KAdek has brittle bone disease and hormone growth defiiciency, Adi's wayward son is now married and has a daughter and always needs money for milk and ceremonies, and I support all the others in thier business by buying heaps of stuff I don't need and hope someone else at home will!
Evryone gets Rp 100,000 from Papa when I arrive and I ensure that they all get money in some way to help their everyday lives.
I still take bras and clothes which is anothe story and we always have lunch the day I leave. I'm sure Filo smiles a lot as people walk past seeing this crazy lady with 6 or Balineses all chatting away, painting my nails, massaging my neck and trying to sell me even more.
900 chuppa chups were dispersed on that trip. The little cashier from the deli and I became good friends and she would even run down the ailse to get them for me.
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