When the Balinese people ask me where I’m from, I say, “America”. They’ve never heard of Seattle. When they ask, “How many times you been to Bali?”, I say, “This is my first time.” And then their face lights up with a sweet smile and with one of the most sincere expressions of deeply felt calm joy, they say, “Welcome to Bali.”
I’m at my favorite spa and Rini is massaging my feet. She asks me where I’m from. I say, “America” and again with deep authentic gratitude in her voice she says, “Thank you for coming.” I can tell she really means it. She isn’t thanking me to be polite. Why is she actually personally this grateful? I’m just a customer and this is just her job.
I remember my taxi driver now, the one who transported me from Melasti Beach to Ubud. He sold most of what he owned; his bike, his car, his instruments. He sold whatever he could to make money and survive through COVID. His island suffered when the tourists stopped coming. The Balinese economy depends on tourism. My driver said Bali is only 50% recovered today and everyone is so grateful we are returning.
I am grateful to be in Bali. I am grateful to see humans living in relaxation. I am grateful this man gets to smoke his cigarette and blow his smoke out of the cafe. NB: I’m not a fan of the smoking, I’m a fan of the freedom. It doesn’t bother me (yet) because so far I’ve been able to keep a distance away from second hand smoke. I just get to watch a human from afar being left alone to do his thing, whatever that may be. Relaxed vibes. I am grateful for barefeet walking around restaurants
I am grateful for vegan restaurants serving beautiful dishes that feel like artwork as they slide onto the table before me. It is a treat to eat in these designer foodie spots.I’m grateful to be able to eat this healthy food, to enjoy the visual beauty of it, the satisfying flavors, the smiles of the staff and the hours I can spend sitting here totally undisturbed to write and create. There is no rush here. Just relaxation and beauty.
I am grateful for new patterns. I see new shapes in the art, architecture, clothing and jewelry. Swirls, waves and dots. I slow down when I walk by the art shops, old men holding their paintbrushes ….. painting ON THR FLOOR like me!! I lean in and study their colors and patterns. Swirls and little dogs and rainbows. Now I play with these patterns in my paintings each day. I’m watching my art evolve one day at a time. It looks different to me now and it’s strange to see something different emerge from me. It’s like looking in their mirror and seeing a different reflection. What am I becoming? What is my art becoming? A free fall and trust into whatever wants to intuitively emerge. I’m practicing non-attachment in this work.
I am grateful for dragonfruit and flowing clothing. The decor is gorgeous. The food is gorgeous. The flower petals everywhere. The statues of elephant, monkey and gremlin gods are grinning, peaceful and intense on every corner, in front of every door. I’m grateful for the Boeing and the smiling, the hands in prayer and the sweetness in everyone’s voices. I was sitting in the cafe late into the night with Ayla. The cafe staff cleaned up, closed up, and packed up. The whole troop of them, ten humans who had just worked a long day in a kitchen, counter and restaurant, walked up to us with smiles and said, “The restaurant is closed now. It’s okay you stay. Is okay we go to our home now?” Ayla and I were shocked and touched. “Of course! Yes, please go home. Thank you!” Wow.
Many gorgeous restaurants are open and empty. Maybe I find them at the down hours. I hope they have business when I’m not there. I am grateful This island is full of beautiful safe places where I can sit and write, drink and enjoy a moment. I am grateful I am able to exchange money for experience in these charming businesses and see the gratitude light up in people’s faces. It is simple and it is deeply real, deeply felt.
Love and Rainbows,
Cha Wilde