bob's indonesian vacation part two

Hobbes wrote -
Why do they sit in the dark a lot? Is it just a preference or does it have to do with the prevelance/cost of lights and electricity?

I'm looking forward to Chapter 2 already. There was a bit of foreshadowing in "Day 1", and I am a little worried that the nefarious and ill-disposed individuals may show up again later in the plot. Guess I'll have to wait for the next installment.