I moved from from the Aretha Franklin room after one week to the Penthouse room on Sept 7, free of charge, for one week because Soulshine was full with a retreat. I spent my second week on the top floor next to Michael Franti's apartment with a spectacular view of rice fields, coconut tree groves and kites. Kites fly with the clouds from the moment I got up to sit on the balcony for my morning meditation until the sun went down and the kites' lights shown bright with the stars. I wonder how many people keep one kite in the sky for all that time and the meaning behind kite flying in Bali.
I've turned on a TV just to watch Eat, Pray, Love. Her third location was Bali.
Bali is a tiny island in the nation of Indonesia. There are 17,508 islands in this country.
Bali is mostly Hindu. I'm loving Balinese Hinduism. Every Balinese person I meet loves to talk about their Hinduism beliefs. The anthropologist in me has been non-stop fascinated.
They believe in karma. Yes....
I earned my BA in Anthropology from CU Boulder.
I've yet to find a Balinese person who has left Bali, except most went to the closest island, Java, on a middle school field trip on the 5-hour ferry to visit the country's capital, Jakarta.
I did two private yoga classes with a woman named Tini. She introduced herself saying, "I am Bali peoples."
I introduce myself by saying, "I am from the United States." Often I am not understood and people commonly say, "The UK?" I then have to say, "America."
Ubud practically seems to have more tourists than Balinese on the streets and very few Americans right now in September. It makes sense since Bali is literally on the opposite side of the Earth and 14 hours ahead of Colorado. Most tourists are Australian and from New Zealand. I've met many from France.
Soulshine was full last week, so I stayed in The King's hotel for four nights, Sakti Gardens. Beautiful gardens!!! Beautiful art!!! Very traditional Balinese style, as serves The King.
I am being so brave and talking to strangers. I've had so many conversations with local Balinese and tourists. People ask if I'm here on "holiday" and I've told everyone, "No, I'm here for healing. I have trauma." I immediately get a look of respect and it's so amazing (and different than in the USA). Balinese people ask and I tell them my story, in which I get prayers and blessings. It's wonderful. Beautiful. Incredible. They hold my hands, shoulders, temples, head. They advise me of Healers, Priests, Temples. I love it. I'm so grateful. Bali is so different than the USA. I'm glad I'm here.
There was a big earthquake yesterday. Big! My second here. The epicenter was pretty close. Third in my life. The first was in Costa Rica in 2004(ish).
Here is a list of activities I've done in the past two weeks-
Healing-
-M-F 8am yoga
-Titra Empul Water Temple purification, cleansing and blessing (from 900s)
-Priest blessing at water temple
-Pyramids of Chi sound healing (gongs)
-Electric Vibrational healing woman (want to return)
-Various massages (Balinese, facial, Shiatzu, foot reflexology, boreh scrub)
-Daily journaling and reading
-Baths
-Making friends and sharing our stories, like with my new friend Claire from New Zealand
Fun/Cultural
-Bali United soccer game (0-0)
-Bike Ride down Mt Batur volcano through towns, rice fields, marigold farms, toured an elementary school and a regular house, coffee plantation, temple, restaurant
-Walked to Ubud 2x to wander in art markets (dresses, sarongs, and more dresses!)
-Kacak and trance fire dances at Saraswati Temple
-Kecak dance at Soulshine
-Made my own rose pedal skin scrub
-6 cultural dances at Sakti Gardens
-Toured the King's Palace
-Learning more words in Bahasa (Balinese language)
The Kecak dances have a "choir" of 100 men that sing "chak chak chak." So, turn up your volume. I recorded several videos and share only one below. This is Richard and Mathews' favorite cultural activities here and now mine too! It has Hanuman in it, the monkey!!!
I was told by the female yoga teacher I have a "soft energy." A spa lady told me I have a "kind aura."
While at Mt Batur's lookout, a group of Muslim women from Java grabbed me and started taking selfies with me one by one. Then, group photo after group photo took me by surprise. It just happened, so fast, and I had no idea what was happening. At first, I was shocked and grabbed my pocket with my phone and wallet, but then I realized they were touching my hair and chittering amongst themselves with amazement and smiles. Moments later, I walked away and my bike tour guide told me that they had never seen someone like me.
Awhile back, I watched "Artic Cure" on Disney+. Several combat veterans with complex PTSD were taken on an artic expedition to see if exposure to the feeling of "awe" could help them overcome their trauma. I have complex PTSD. I'm on a Bali expedition. I feel awe every time I see a temple (every 20 feet), a house gate, a statue, a Balinese person's smile, a rice field.
My brother, Mathews said, "Bali lives art." I know of Bali because of my brother, Richard, and his wife, Laura. They were all right. Bali is special. It is AWEsome.
I'm thankful Michael Franti created Soulshine, the first and only (supposedly) sound and wellness resort home around with loving, caring and Balinese staff.
I'm now in another Soulshine room on the ground floor that has an outdoor bathtub. The balcony view is still spectacular. Each room has a handmade guitar and record player. Soulshine's property is so beautiful with two boutique pools, so the decision to stay in my room or go to the pools is a balancing act.
I have one more week at Soulshine to complete my 30-day program and then I go to the beach in Manggis (NE) for 7 days. I already extended my month visa.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om. Peace.
Rahayu. God bless.
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