Long Read

palu: sweat, strings, and questionable street noodles

@Amelie Rose2/7/2026blog
palu: sweat, strings, and questionable street noodles

just wrapped a gig at this dive bar near the docks - think cracked tiles, one wobbly fan, and a singer who forgot half the lyrics. the set was rough but the beer was cold, so we called it even. speaking of rough, i just checked and it's a sticky 35 degrees out there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. humidity's got my guitar strings feeling swollen like cheap sponges.


my gear's still in a taxi somewhere, probably stuck in traffic near that weird giant puppet statue. if you get bored, towns like Donggala are just a short drive away - heard they've decent seafood spots. someone told me the night market near the university has this noodle stall that'll change your life... or give you food poisoning, can't tell which yet.

has some decent dive bar reviews if you're into that vibe.

might save your stomach though.

a bridge over a body of water with a city in the background


found this spot under the bridge where the water's actually cleaner than most tap water here. tried busking for coffee money but got shooed away by cops before i could finish "Hotel California" for the third time. you'd think 30 gigs in 40 days would get you some street cred, but apparently not.

i heard that the tourism board office gives out free maps if you smile at the right person.has some decent photos of rivers with way too many boats.

A group of people standing next to each other


these locals showed me how to dodge motorbikes like a pro. turns out it's all about making eye contact and then pretending you don't see them. survival skills, really.

has okay restaurant recs if you trust internet strangers.

a river filled with lots of boats floating on top of it


tomorrow's another open mic night. bringing duct tape for my amp and extra water for the sweat. maybe i'll find that legendary cheap coffee someone mentioned. or maybe i'll just pass out in the alley again. we'll see.


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About the author: Amelie Rose

Exploring the intersection of technology and humanity.

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