Surprise, Surprise...

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Wow, I didn't have a lot of preconceived notions or expectations about Bali. But, I did expect it to be hotter than hell! I'm sitting outside at 6:45am and it is actually cold enough for me to consider going to get a jacket. It's not that it's been cold the whole time but I just didn't expect it to be cold at all. I certainly didn't bring clothes for it to be cold. Anyway, just had to get that off of my chest because I'm surprised by that.

The other thing that has surprised me (albeit because I don't travel internationally all the much, so it makes me a but naive) is how filthy Ubud is. I think that "juxtaposition" is a great way to describe this place. The owner of Villa Bodhi bought the property from the family next door. So, the other day we had the opportunity to take a walk next door to meet the family. What is similar is the set-up is the same as the neighbors: different buildings serving different functions and a common area. That is pretty much where the comparison ends. I took a video, but won't post it here to respect the family's privacy, but I would never be able to live there. The truth is that- and I'm not entirely proud of myself for thinking this- as much beauty as I have seen, I couldn't live here. The only way is if I could live the way I'm living now: personal chef, laundry, driver, someone to come and chase away the creatures, etc. If I wasn't sure before, I am sure now.

We drove to Kuta yesterday, and perhaps I might be able to live there, but Kuta is commercialized and would be the thing I would be trying to run to Ubud for- and again, I couldn't live in Ubud. They don't have a happy medium.

Stephanie reminded me that I am in a third world country. Word. I won't be forgetting that again. I do think that I could come back here again as long as I could do it the same way. But I have once again shown myself that I only look rugged. I am not. I guess that is also a surprise and a sort of juxtaposition, as well.

 

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