Sunlight settles on each rice field terrace in breathtaking moments that pause and reflect my emerging emotions. I find myself moved to tears. Overwhelmed by tides of joy and melancholy. What is it like for the Balinese to see their home through my eyes. Eyes that luxuriate upon selective vistas and words that elaborate and extenuate what is simply ‘home’ for them. My vocabulary speaks in the future tense already regretting the day I must leave and the memories I’ll behold in the past, whereas, they remain. They speak only in the present – all that was, is, and should be – forever described as now. No other time and place. Just here – their home. Always.
The clouds of the wet season determine where the sun shall shine and for how long. The winds predictably blow in advance of the rains providing a momentary lift from the humidity. It sprinkles and cascades blessings of nourishment upon the fields offering seasonal provisions of fruits and vegetables including the essential and ever present rice. All culminate in ceremonial offerings and thanks.
We need each other. I could not exist without their services and guidance. They require the tourist dollar, though temporary, to sustain employment and their families. A respectful and harmonious balance is maintained. We teach each other vocabulary and customs. Our words are polite and courteous. We laugh at each other’s struggle as our tongues slip over pronunciations and intonations garble our meaning and intentions. We are patient and accepting because of our mutual interdependence upon each other. And yet I can leave and will. They remain and must, for it is their home.
I am struck by how blessed I am to have come to this place and to have spent a moment here. To have felt these emotions. To have grappled with the ensuing dilemmas. To have considered possibilities. To have dreamed and wondered. To have known the heat and humidity. To have fallen asleep to the chorus of frogs and geckos and crickets. To have met every Wayan, Made, Nyoman, and Kadek. To realize how much there is to learn. To be humbled and honoured. To be filled with grace for this time and place. I am at peace. Thank you for this temporary resting place. Terima Kasih
Sesame Salad Dressing
I noticed that a number of the raw food eating establishments in Ubud, Bali used a sesame salad dressing. I came up with my own, trying to mimic the simple taste I enjoyed while there. I will let you come up with the amounts. Below are the ingredients.
- tahini
- lemon or lime juice, freshly squeezed
- Medjool date, pitted
- salt
- water
Blend all ingredients and adjust flavourings to your taste. Add more water to thin and provide a consistency you prefer.
Chris
So happy to get another episode.
I hope this is not the last one, you speak about leaving.
I am always glued to your writing, until the words stop.
I don’t know if it is the subject that brings this out in you,
the experience of Bali and your spirit together but I don’t
want it to end, and there are pictures as well how great
is that.
Thank you so much for the Sesame Salad dressing recipe.
HUGZ
Susan
Thanks again for your encouraging words. Ah but yes, this is the last of the Bali glimpses. We are now back on Salt Spring Island and re-opening Rawsome Living Foods Cafe and Juice Bar on Valentine’s Day. As the mood inspires there will be more blog posts and more recipes. So stay tuned and thanks for being a faithful reader. It is appreciated. Chris.
When writing about Bali, I could hear the bliss in your words. Poetic. Many thanks for all the words and images. B
Thanks so much for reading Barbara and for your thoughtful words. Yes, Bali was a blissful time. Now we are back on Salt Spring Island getting ready to re-open the cafe for Valentine’s Day. May life be poetically blissful for you and yours. Stay well. Chris.
After posting Chris Hadfield’s music video from the International Space Station – a love song to our planet – through tears…I come here.
Thank you, Chris, for your bridging heart that takes me, again, to unity.
Oh my,
To be linked in some way to Chris Hatfield is an honour. But what I learned in Bali was the influence of the inter-relationship of all things in the universe and the importance from not only where Bali sits in the universe, but where the mountains and sea are in relation to each other. And how the placement of significant land masses relates to where one builds their home temple in the family compound.Yes life is connected and united in many ways. Thank you for making the bridge obvious. Your thoughtfulness fills me with gratitude. Chris.
‘So beautiful Chris. Thanks for your pure thoughts and poetry on a most beautiful island. When ‘tourists’ like you and Jim go there, I know you are welcome. The Balinese people recognize a pure heart and they open their s to you. I look forward to catching up with you and trading stories. Lynda
Thanks Lynda,
I know part of our acceptance and love of the country came from your very thoughtful guidance and advice. It helped set a context for us and supported us in our understanding of the culture and the people. And of course, time in your home away from home was a huge bonus and grounded us even more in a community that is highly welcoming and appreciative. Many thanks again. Chris.