Advertisement
Published: February 27th 2009
Edit Blog Post
I just met a friend here who has lived in Bali for 20 years. My friend Tara introduced me to her via email while I was still in the states. After many attempts to connect, we were finally able to make contact and visit. What a wonderful visit I had with Mary. She teaches a form of Chi Kung that sounds perfect for me. As she described it, I could feel the energy of it. I've been curious about Yoga and have experimented with many forms of it. Nothing has stuck. It doesn't seem to fit me. While she described what she is doing and how the energy moves in the body, I felt that this would be exactly what I'd like to experience next. If I had longer time in Bali, I'd take a class now. With only a few days left, I'll wait until I get home and find a way to experience it.
She told me that for many people, Bali is a difficult place to leave. For others, they can't wait to leave. It affects people in one of those ways. She has seen people get off an airplane and begin looking for the next flight
out. On a recent trip, the man sitting next to her was here only three days and couldn't wait to leave.
I found my dinner companion in Padangbai one night in the "leave" category. He didn't like Bali, didn't like the people, they "aren't friendly" (to him), hasn't found tourist very friendly and he is finishing his diving training and leaving.
I'm a bit captured by the spirit of the place. There is so much to explore and do here. I can easily see myself coming back and doing a sort of "spiritual" retreat here. I just ran into friends from Canada doing a "home stay" not far from where I am. For both of them, it's Rp. 60,000 a night with a huge breakfast. It would be very easy to find places like that, stay with a family, take classes in Yoga or Chi Kung and simply have a quiet retreat to recharge.
The people here are definitely a highlight. Once I got back, I stopped at Kafe for a chai and talked with Brent from Montana for over an hour. He's a river guide working on a graduate degree and here for research for 12
months. He's studying small enterprise here. He is able to interview about one person a day because the process takes so long. First, you sit and get acquainted, maybe eat something together and be patient before it finally gets to the process of interviewing. It might take 4 hours or more.
One interesting thing he told me was about the difference between "Western" run business and locally run business. The extreme example was a Western run massage/spa that employees girls from Java. They can't go home for ceremony and may be able to go next year. They live in a room/space he provides and leave that around 8:00 in the morning to go directly to the spa. After working all day, they go directly back to the living space around 8:30. They do this seven days a week, every day doing four or five massages and they make about $35 US. He controls them because he doesn't want them to leave and find work else where. He went back to visit and the owner was gone. With that freedom, they weren't dong anything. They took advantage to go outside, relax, walk, shop, talk to friends and look for another job.
Yesterday, I talked with Rudolph from Holland for a couple hours. The seat beside him was the only one available. He is retired, worked with an organization like chamber of commerce and got an early retirement when they merged. He is considering a doctorate in philosophy and wants to do something else with his life. He asked me questions about my life and goals while sharing some very helpful insights.
The day before, I met Ingrid and Paulien from Holland while sitting in Dr. Wayan's place. Another great conversation. Very inspiring and nourishing. Ingrid was leaving today so they invited me to her final dinner last night.
This morning, I went to Tutmak for coffee (the best in Bali according to Rudolph). WOW was it good. Can't say it was better than Kopi Bali but it was so good I bought some beans!
As I parked my motor bike to come here to the internet spot, a woman came running down the street toward me. It was Elizabeth with Steve behind her. I met them here in Kafe one evening, bumped into them in Padangbai as they were having a Lassi for the road and now again. We'll meet for dinner later.
People, great conversation and connection, rest or exercise, outstanding food, I can definitely feel this place capturing me for a future adventure!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.065s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 8; qc: 45; dbt: 0.0412s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb