"Look at this article about Bali. It says the
island's tourist image is no more than a sly promotional ruse," said Diego to his
girlfriend. He was holding the April-May 2000 edition of Bali Echo. He opened it to page
22 and showed her a piece entitled 'Portrait of Bali as a Young Maiden'."The portrait does not exist in Bali",
Diego read from the magazine."A natural image, in the western sense, is surprising to
the Balinese." Madonna, Diego's girlfiend, examined the illustration accompanying the
article closely. It showed a bare-breasted young woman, weaving. Her breasts were fresh,
healthy, perky. Madonna looked at the picture for a long time. "Hey, what are you
doing? Come on, get a move on. We have to book our tickets now. So, are we going to Bali
or to Mongolia?"
Madonna put the article down, and took off
her t-shirt. Her breasts fell down. "What are ou doing?" Diego was
shocked. Madonna showed him the illustration in the magazine.
"Take a look Diego, which one is better?" asked Madonna.
Diego laughed. "These of course!" said Diego, as he reached out and fondled
Madonna's breasts. Madonna pushed his hand away.
"Why these and not those?" Diego smiled.
"I'm a believer in realism. These are real and those are only a photograph of a
picture. There's no more to it, I'll take the real ones any day." Diego wanted to
embrace his girlfriend, but she shied away. "Maybe you should think more about your
answer. Come on-lets go and book our tickets to Bali" said Madonna, annoyed. "To
Bali? Why Bali?"
"Why not?" Diego raised one eyebrow.
"Are you looking for the Lost Paradise?" Madonna shrugged her shoulders.
"I want to go to the heaven that people claim has been lost!" Madonna put her
l-shirt back on and left. Diego could do nothing but follow her. Several months later, at
the end of the year, the couple arrived in Bali. Diego, who at first had protested
Madonna's choice of Bali changed his mind as soon as they got off the plane. He surfed at
Kuta all day, and chatted until the wee hours in discos and cafes. Diego was really
enjoying his holiday, as if he had forgotten himself and all his western-ness. But Madonna
brought him back into himself "How's your Lost Paradise going? It seems you've
rediscovered it, Diego! Diego laughed.
"To hell with the Lost Paradise. I like it here Thankyou for dragging me back,
darling'" Diego wanted to hold her but she turned away. "If you really want to
thank me, then help me."
"Help how ?"
Madonna examined Diego."To find the
Lost Paradise!" Diego stared at her, agog. Madonna dragged m away. Whey spent days
travelling round the island in their motorbike, going into villages here and there.
Madonna seemed to be at her wit's end. Diego, who had started out the trip wanting to ease
his girlfriend, was utterly bored by the end of the week.
"We came here to have a holiday, not to play Lerlock Holmes or 007. Don't wreck our
holiy, Madonna!" said Diego.
I'm nnot rwecking it. I just want to make it ore complete, Diego." "I just want
to go surfing again, hang around ith friends at the cafe, and go to the disco!" Lid
Diego. aBut you can do all that in your own country!"
"Yeah, OK, but it feels all the more special cote can do them here too!" Madonna
looked at Diego.
"Yes!" Suddenly, Madonna ripped off her t-shirt and posed her breasts to Diego.
Diego was shocked again.
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