Just finished breakfast with one Continental and one Balinese choice. Slept well last night after a gruelling and humid afternoon walk.
The hotel guests around us are from Europe, Asian and may be even American or Australian – difficult to make out unless one talks to people. No one seemed interested in getting to know others, just like any other place in large hotels and restaurants around the world. I tried to imagine myself sitting alone in a different country and in a place like this. Was not a very pleasant idea. But then I am the product of the sixties and seventies Kolkata, Bengal, India. The sense of kinship bothered and made us feel safe at the same time. We are living in a different world now.
This brings me to an interesting discussion that I had with my historian daughter during breakfast. We have seeing individuals (specially white) searching for spirituality in Bali through rituals and yoga and many other paths. The historian looked at from an continuity angle of people from the West come to the East seeking spiritual guidance because they have the means, whereas people from the east go to the west seeking betterment of their lives, like jobs, education, etc. The therapist in me viewed this as people seeking something that they cannot get in touch otherwise, and hence the need for an external stimulus. I wondered if the historian was bereft of empathy in this particular context. The historian the started explaining as to how she is looking at the scenario as a continuum and not a judgement on specific individuals.
The conversation that ensued thereafter was quite interesting about religions and that all religions offer space for self reflections and seeking guidance from within. so the question is then what brings these individuals to the East to seek spirituality?
The question of choice and preference came up. However what makes making a “choice” easier and what becomes a compulsion or necessity? This is where, perhaps, there is a difference between the colonised and the colonisers, in terms of purchasing power and mobility. It is perhaps a choice to “buy” spirituality of various kinds in the colonised spaces, whereas it is necessary for the erstwhile colonised to seek better opportunities in the West for survival and upward mobility. The distinction between who can make a “choice” and what is a “necessity” became quite clear. Mo
I am writing this post while sitting by the Olympic size swimming pool – sunlight glistening on the water as children play and adults bask in sunlight hoping to generate more melanins in their body. I felt thankful to have more than enough melanins in my body and I don’t have to expose myself to this warm and humid tropical sun.
The evening was an interesting experience.
All the atms and most of the money changers were closed. However in the meanwhile we witnessed a procession with “Ogoh Ogoh”. This is taken out to say goodbye to the evil spirit within and to welcome the new year tomorrow by observing the Nyepi day.
Here is a glimpse for you
After that we thought we would go to a store called Krishna which is akin to our good old Kaveri Emporium in Bangalore, to get some gifts for friends. However, even before the Nyepi day has begun, the shops and restaurants have all downed shutters by 4 pm. 😔
So our travel to the Semniyak beach was witnessed by whole lot of closed shutters. But the sea beach 🏖️ did not disappoint. We walked for a long time before stopping for a refreshing drink.
The sun was mellow, the wind friendly, and my perspirations adjusted to the pace!! 😀
Then, it was time for a refreshing drink and waiting for sunset. We walked into the nearby coffee shop and sat down.
The drinks, the snacks and the lovely calm ambience added to the evening charm.
Time reminded us that it was time to move on to another spot a friend had recommended. But lo and behold, it was closed too. And so began a journey of places found—only to be closed.
Our taxi driver, the ever-patient and kind Krish, suggested we try where the locals go. We agreed, and soon enough, we found ourselves at a small, unassuming eatery. The food was warm and nice and cheap.
Time to come back to the hotel – to experience a day of doing nothing – the Nyepi Day in Bali tomorrow!!
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