It's not snowing in Bali.

One of the many benefits of international teaching is the opportunity to travel.  We also are happy with the small class sizes, the international academic-minded students and the eclectic teaching staff. But, in a nutshell, we work to travel.

Which is why I am writing this from Bali, Indonesia.  Sitting at the breakfast area at the Swasti Eco Cottages, with my Balinese coffee, fresh juice and fruit bowl, this lush, tropical environment inspires me to take the time to write, read and relax.

We are in the area of Bali – right in the center of the island – called Ubud.  It is tropical with an active volcano nearby and a rich art and yoga community. Virtually every family group in Bali has their own temple and new offerings are placed in these temples daily. The scent of incense, the gentleness of the people and the dom-dom-dom of Balinese music soon overwhelms the tourist with Bali’s white magic (positive energy).  It forces you to slow down, relax and smile. Just a short walk down the road from where we are staying is the famous Ubud Monkey Forest where there are hundreds tiny primates ready relieve you of any food or trinket they might desire. Most have lost any fear of the tourists and will climb onto your shoulders or head to snatch away your glasses, handbag or hat. Many others will simply sit by mindlessly grooming each other for your photographing enjoyment. It’s an exciting and intimidating experience (for all but the monkeys).

Yesterday, a bike tour led us to a smoldering volcano, a rice field, a local village and a coffee plantation for the famous (because of “The Bucket List”) Luwak coffee. Luwak coffee can, apparently, cost up to 80 dollars a cup in NYC, all because it is picked out of the fecal matter of a Civet (look it up). It was the first time I had seen an actual vanilla bean plant as well as coffee and cinnamon plants.  In the village, we learned of local Balinese life – one built on commitment to God and community. Each home must have a temple, and I don’t mean a simple alter, I mean a large complex with many alters – very ornate and beautiful. After the temple is built, the Balinese then build rooms for the family members depending on their age and “rank”. The youngest son is the “king” as he is the one who cannot leave the family and is in charge of his parents for life. Each family can have up to 45 members – 3-4 generations – living in their family compound, which usually contains some land, animals and many kitchens. I was also interested in the “tooth filing” tradition: when the son or daughter reaches adulthood (by menses or voice changing), the priest will come and file their top 6 teeth to be even in length.  This happens again when couples get married.  The canines are seen as evil and need to be filed, if I understood this correctly.

We are in a tropical environment where it rains at least once each day. Rather, pours.  The clouds come in, the thunder starts and the sky opens. I find it predictable and comforting, even when we are walking home or on a bike trip and get soaked to the skin.  Yesterday was a bit intimidating when my speed was increasing on the downhill, downpour ride; would my brakes work? 

Traveling around Asia, we rarely meet other Americans.  At the resort we are at, we have met Australians, Swiss, French, Singaporean, Chinese and even a Bulgarian.  I am always fascinated when I meet people who are traveling for months at a time. What job do they do that allows this aspect of their lives? Equally, I am fascinated with the local people, whose life appears simple and complete.  How has tourism affected them? And, finally, the resort owners themselves are fascinating. They are often a combo of a local and foreigner; they took a dream and made it real. How does one leave their home country and start a business in another? 

In a few days, our son, who is also living and working in China, will join us.  We will travel north to Lovina, Bali to enjoy a Christmas on the beach.  Our friends from Iowa, whom we met in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, will also join us for a holiday and celebration.  With luck, we will also meet up with our Australian and Canadian friends, who we spent last Christmas in the Philippines. It really is a small world. J We are truly blessed with this opportunity to travel and to work and to have support from our families back in the good ol’ USA