Y E H
It is for the first time the palm toddy association members gathered in the afternoon today. Everyone is sitting in front of bale banjar (meeting hall) and waiting for trucks carrying water. There has been no water for three days from the city water. Everytime you turn on the taps, no water comes up, but just sound of hissing. Even though it does, just drop by drop and mixed with sand. Only after midnight, water comes out smoothly. That's why only the ones who stay awake until midnight can get water and put it in the tub. It is the time when most of them are already asleep.
"I really don't like waiting in squatting position like this. It is pretty different when you are in squatting position in a cock-fighting or gambling places or in lawar vendor. But now we are squatting and carrying two buckets," says I Made Jaman Asu: Jarang Mandi Apalagi Mesugi (I Made Rarely Takes A Bath Let Alone Wash His Face).
I Made has never complained about water problem from PDAM (Perusahan Dagang Air Merugi - City Water Company That Never Gets Profit). He has no problem not taking a bath for three days. He doesn't put taking a bath as a primary need. For him, palm toddy, spicy lawar and cock-fighting is a priority for him.
"Neither do I, De. I usually watch TV at this time. The news is very exciting, such as robbery everywhere and our coward government against Malaysia. If my 'big boss' doesn't ask me to queue, I won't do it," comments I Wayan Ndas Bedag (I Wayan Bull Shit).
I Wayan refers to Mrs. I Wayan Ndas Bedag when he mentions 'big boss'. At the same time, the village women association is practicing pendet. They have been busy making up since noon and fitting kebayas. What a crowd. And none of the women wants to carry jerry can and bucket to collect water. They think that their husbands are useless. That's why they ask them to take the job.
"Damn, the water is really expensive. It's Rp. 5000 for a jerry can. So It's better for me not to take a bath," I Made complains.
Everyone laughs. They know nothing is cheap now; rice, chilies, electrical power, coffee, etc. You still can plant those things, but what about water? Nobody can make water.
"You talk too much, De. In fact, you are still lucky. Look at our brothers in Kubu Village. They spend much more than us for water. A meter cubic of water there costs you Rp. 37.500. So, it costs them Rp. 81 billion for water every year, based on the data released by the government," comments I Wayan. They are getting poor. They've even found it difficult to get food, now they have to buy the expensive water.
"If you want inexpensive water, why don't you join the hotelier association who owns drilled wells and offers water at Rp. 500 per m3. They are so silly because when the local government tries to increase the water price, they protest. They think they are going to bankrupt because of water cost increase.
Everyone is surprised. They know that the hoteliers have a lot of money. They have big houses. Their children study overseas. They can change their cars with the newer ones anytime they want. And probably they can have 'new wives' when they want. So, why just paying water is a big deal for them?
"Oh, My God, why our rich Balinese are so mean and rude? You know, they carry IPod 3G which cost Rp. 7 million everywhere they go, I Pad (Rp. 8 million), wear Rolex (Rp. 30.000), and have fun with call girls (Rp. 3 million for short time). And now they complain on paying water? Don't they feel ashamed for their poor brothers in Kubu Village who have to pay for water.
That is the problem. Nobody cares about the water. Everywhere they go, they claim themselves Hindu or agama tirta (the religion of water), but as a matter of fact, they don't understand exactly the meaning of their religion: Water!
