 |
| Taken at Tanah Lot, Bali, Indonesia (c) Jhanelle Salengua |
A lot of people travel for numerous and various reasons. May
it be for business, for pleasure, for visiting family and relatives, or for
education. I travel for self-discovery and curiosity.
Bali has always been a sweet haven in my mind ever since I
have watched Eat, Pray, Love a memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert, starred by Julia Roberts. I have high expectations for
this place, but after reading article after article, I have prepared myself to
come to Bali with an open mind and an open heart, no matter what outcome it
gives.
Elizabeth Gilbert traveled to
Bali to seek love; I went to Bali to see for myself if finding love in such a
small and chaotic place was really possible. For just two days, I didn’t find
love with just one person; I found it deep inside many of the Indonesians that
I have met along the way.
“I have little money,
Ms. Sarah, but I’m happy.”
 |
| Taken at Tanah Lot, Bali (c) xamjulliarde.blogspot.com |
Mr. Wayan, the unexpected saint who made my travel to Bali a
lot easier, once asked me if I have ever been to America. “No. What about you?”
I asked. “No Ms. Sarah. I want to see America, but I only visited places here
in Indonesia.” He said. “Why not? You have the money!” He laughed, “I have
little money, Ms. Sarah, but I’m happy.” “But you’re working. So you have a lot
of money.” I insisted. “I have money because I work hard for it. But not enough
to travel. Maybe next time, Ms. Sarah. Now, I save.” It was quite unexpected to
hear such a thing from a jolly, generous and curious man like him, but I do
wish him all the best in life. With his positive attitude and amazing
personality, I know he’ll go a long way.
If you happen to be traveling to Bali, please don’t hesitate
to give Mr. Wayan a call at: +62 (0) 81 353 229 075. He’s usually at the Ngurah
Rai International Airport.
“I want to finish
school.”
For my first night in Bali, Mr. Wayan took me to Jimabaran
for the best seafood by the beach. The ambiance was as lively as the roaring
waves crashing ashore. “Are you still a student?” the server asked, while I was
scanning through the menu. “Yes, but I am graduating this October.” Her face
suddenly lit up. “I am also a student!” She said excitedly. “Really? But why
are you working here?” I asked. “Because I want to finish school and get a good
job after.” She answered. I smiled. When I was in college, I have always wanted
to work while studying, but I never did get the chance to do so. I always
complained how tough it is at school and that there is no reason for me to not be
lazy at home because well, school’s stressing me out. But then, I meet this
girl, and her passion radiates when she speaks of life at school, plans after
college and working at Jimabaran.
“I am Hindu”
Checking in at Wangsa Villa, Nusa Dua, I met a man working
at the concierge who patiently answered all my questions about Hinduism. He
told me that most Hindus wear a bracelet. “Muslims pray 5-6 times a day. How
many times do Hindus have to pray in a day?” I asked. He grinned, probably
thinking how crazy my question was. “Ms. Sarah, I am Hindu and we usually pray
3 times a day and more for our personal thoughts.” He said. “Do you pray 3
times a day?” I asked again. “Yes, but you know Ms. Sarah, it is not really
about who prays the most in a day. It’s about how sincere and true you are to
what you believe in. Be sure to thank the god you’re praying to for everything,
even the most simple one.”
 |
| Mr. Pande and Mr. Agus, painters behind the artworks at Wayan Arnaya Lukisan, Batu Batulan, Ubud, Bali (c) Jhanelle Salengua |
“Because we love
Bali.”
In the area of Batu Batulan, Ubud, I visited an amazing art
shop where everything was hand-painted. The details in each artwork was
beautiful, I wanted to buy everything. Then I wondered, “Do you make a lot of
money with these paintings?” “We paint because we love Bali and we want to show
people how beautiful Bali is, the people and our culture. We don’t make enough
money, we are not rich, but life is still good.”
“I work for my
daughter.”
Whilst visiting a coffee plantation at Ubud, we were showed
how the Luwak’s poo could be turned into something as delicious as a Luwak
Coffee. But that’s not what I was really after. Because as soon as I sat down
with this 60-year-old-something man who have toured me around the plantation, I
begin to ask him questions, which he found utterly fascinating after he
realized that I was from the Philippines, not Indonesia. “Manny Pacquiao!” He
exclaimed, making punching gestures. I laughed, “Yes, Manny Pacquiao.” He
laughed out loud. “Do you stay here often?” I asked. “Yes! Yes! I really work
here.” He replied. “But why? It’s hot and don’t you get tired of doing this
everyday?” I asked. “I work for my daughter, Ms. Sarah. She has no more mother
and I want to put her in the best school. I also want to learn English.” With
this, I rest my case. Whoever his daughter is, she must be so proud and thankful
to have such a hardworking father looking after her.
A lot of us find it easier to complain when things don’t go
our way, or when things get hard. We don’t realize that a lot of other people
are fighting an even more difficult battle than ours. We tend to shut our minds
to seeing the beauty of being put into difficult situations. I am guilty of
that as well. But Bali taught me that, even if things may not go accordingly as
planned, even if life may throw rocks at us, the simple things that we learn
from all these battles are what’s important.
 |
| Sunset at Tanah Lot, Bali (c) xamjulliarde.blogspot.com |
In Bali, I found love; love that is so genuine, pure and
irreplaceable. I may be no Elizabeth Gilbert or Julia Roberts, but I am
thankful for more lessons learnt.
Paalam! :)
To watch my Bali travel video, click the link: A Place Like Home || Travel with Xam to BALI
As seen on Huffington Post
