Day 15: This is Bali

Another week's gone by here in Bali and there are a few tidbits to share. On Monday, we had a going-away party - another one - for Joerg, our master bamboo architect. He's leaving for two months. At the party, a bunch of us tried the zipline that goes over the river and back. Fun times! The night was also filled with bottles of Bintang, music blaring from Aldo's ipod, and a bit of salsa dancing. Wow, Joerg can really move those hips!

On Wednesday (Jan 23) it was Galungan, a Balinese celebration that marks the beginning of a Hindu story about a battle between Shiva (or is it Vishnu?) the Destroyer, and evil forces. I think. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Anyways, because it was a holiday, there where many celebrations at temples and in villages so Ben, Kristen, and myself rode our scooters to Kintamani to a large temple there. (The name of the temple I have temporarily forgotton but will fill it in when I find out.) It was a great long ride, starting with a stop in Ubud where I burned my leg on Ben's exhaust. This kind of injury (usually on the inside of one's leg on one's own motorcycle) is called the "Bali Kiss". The temple was a unique experience, with pools of fountains where you dip your head under to purify your thoughts. It was quite busy and at intervals, a parade of women balancing huge baskets of fruit offerings on their heads would walk through, accompanied by men playing beautiful and intricate purcussive music.

On the way back, we were met several times by groups of Balinese parading a Barong character (similar to a Chinese Dragon at New Year's) along the street. At one point, we rode by a huge mass of men sitting in their white shirts and sarungs during a ceremony. There were so many of them, they had spread out onto the road and motorists were directed as one-way traffic. Such a slice of the spirituality that distinguishes Bali from the other islands. In the dimness of dusk, it was beautifully eerie and haunting, and holy.

Another flavour of Bali of course is the beaches. And it was yesterday that at Pantai Legian, I tried surfing for the first time. I have to say, it was a successful day since I stood up on the board quite a few times and really enjoyed being out in the water. I feel a bit of a burn coming along my forehead but it's a small price to pay for a new adventure.

And now, as I sit in the office, there is a torrential downpour outside. Ah yes, rainy season in Bali. Just another spice that gives Bali its flavour.

Day 8: Collecting Adventures

Today being Sunday marks a full week of being in Bali. I've had a few small adventures so far. Drinking Bintang and dancing spanish-y with Juan Carlos and Hanno on my 2nd night. Ant invasion in my tent, scooter riding, buying clothes at the Sukawati Market. Having a cold. And now having a cough. Reading by the Ayung River and looking up to see many Balinese men bathing down river close enough to see that they are indeed naked.

(Sorry. Not sure why the above is linked to a photo from the Sukawati Market. Dagmara, Ben, Kristen in linked photo.)

Day Six

It's Day Six in Bali. I was thrown into work immediately and though the campus is a beautiful jungle, I have been less than relaxed. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. It's just that the identity work I've been doing as my first project is not all sunshine and mangoes. Anyway, some good things: I'm happy that Alex and Kristen are here from Emily Carr. Alex especially, as a 4th year comd student has been key in setting things on course. Also, I feel very welcome here and all the staff are really friendly. Richard is one of my favourites because of his salty humour. Ann is really caring and has such a listening ear.

I rode my scooter on the road for the first time last night. Scary but ok.

I've been sick for the past few days, not fun, but it's getting better now. I also had a crazy ant adventure in my hut last night. Yuck. Oh well. That's life in the jungle.

Gate 42

Sitting here at HKG Gate 42, I have a few moments to reflect before I board the plane bound for Bali. I'm starting to feel it, that I'm actually doing this. When I travel, I usually don't feel that deep-in-my-stomach excitement until I actually set my feet on the soil of my destination, but it's beginning. Aaack!!!

Travelling by myself has for the most part, been fine, though yesterday, as I rode the shuttle bus to my hotel with two other families, I really wanted them to talk to me. To ask me where I was going. And I wanted to talk to them, and ask them where they were going. I was really looking for that entrance point into the conversation but there really wasn't one. I hadn't had an actual conversation with anyone since I left Satyan at YVR. It's a weird feeling to hunger so much for some meaningful human connection when I'm usually quite content with my party of one.

I'm also feeling a bit anxious about the work I'm going to do. Through meeting with our intern coordinator and the other interns these past weeks, I get a sense that what we're launching into something that is larger than we think. That's a bit intimidating. But also exciting! I would say this adventure is akin to jumping out of a plane. Really. So here. it. goooooooooooooooeeees.