Whirlwind Tour

My body is here but doesn't believe it. Present but not accounted for. Sleep is a difficult commodity these nights. I have a theory that the body and psyche are not meant to travel faster than a horse can gallop or possibly a ship can sail. Lying awake at night seems to be proving that one. But, my psyche has arrived. Last night's dream was set in Palembang with Doug as one of the characters. How does it know to do that?
Breakfast
A buffet is at my disposal here in the Aston Hotel. All the names are in Indonesian so I choose by sight. Fruit is canteloupe, watermelon, pineapple, papaya, and others placed in the "I don't know but it tastes good" category. Guave juice and coffee round out the meal.
Vivian and driver pick me up for a tour of Palembang. First is Chinatown and the live animal and open market. (I'm on the hotel computer and can't post pictures, but will find a way at some point.) Live animals from owls, dove, rabbits, turtles, fish, birds of every description and lemur type creatures all in cages line the street, both sides. Vivian is a 5'11" Chinese woman who turns heads. I am associated with her in walking by her side. Since they can't talk to her, only gawk!!,they attempt to get to her through me-call me, attempt to shake my hand. The men are unashamedly thrilled with her. She is tired of this after about 45 minutes and we leave. While on the market walk we find ourselves along the shores of the large river which cuts through the city. Musi River. It is muddy with floating vegetation flowing quickly past. There is an effort by some boatmen to give us a ride along the river and possibly out to an island where the Musi enters the Sea. Java Sea, I believe. We decline. Next, is a museum along the Musi which was the residence of some British dignitary in 1815. Old wood floors and interior/exterior architecture are more interesting than the guided tour by a non-English speaking older gentleman. As we cross the bridge, it begins raining hard. We continue on. All the potholes and low spots fill with water. Motorcyclists continue at their own risk. Alongside us is one who gets his share of spray from our tires, especially through the low spots. Large streams of water drench him. Undeterred, he continues on. What resolve!
Lunch is across from the golf course and is thin noodles and sauce. Watermelon juice to drink.
Between 5 and 7 it again rains and continues till 9. Vivian wants pizza for dinner. So, Doug and she pick me up and we head for a Pizza Hut. Not a Stateside menu. I can't read it so Doug orders some chicken wings, a pizza, and an hors d'oeuvre which is shrimp bruschetta. Again, watermelon juice as drink.