travelogue: semi-solo in bali

“Are you alone?” the villa host asks me as I walked into the shared villa kitchen for the upteenth time, excited to make my trusty peanut noodles lunch. 

Mix peanut butter, sesame oil, soy or hoisin, honey or sweetener, some pasta water until there’s a creamy consistency. Optional add-ins: minced garlic, green onions, chili. Pour over noodles with sliced cucumbers or other vegetables with a soft boiled egg. Any kind of noodles will do, including ramen

She seems genuinely concerned, like I was walking around with a hole in my pants and no one had stopped to let me know. This has not happened IRL but is a very vivid dream I’ve had before.

“I thought you were with your boyfriend.” 

I explained he was away for a bit and would be coming back, so technically yes I was alone at the moment but not alone. 

“Oh okay,” she said with a look of relief on her face. “I thought you were alone.”