LIFE LESSONS FROM A STRANGE YET MYSTICAL LAND
Let me start by apologising to loyal listeners for the three-week hiatus in podcasts. The reason will become clear soon.
Four years ago, Jenni and I decided to put our money where our coaching mouths are and embark on fulfilling a dream we've had for many years.
Right smack in the middle of the dreaded COVID pandemic – and against the advice of anyone who cared to offer it – we took the plunge and signed a lease agreement for an investment in a small 2-bedroom villa in Canggu, Bali, in Indonesia.
Thousands of miles away
Stuck, thousands of miles away, we had precious little to go on apart from architect drawings, Google maps, and the peace of mind of knowing that we were dealing with a developer recommended by a friend and well-regarded coach.
Our villa was completed in late 2021 but due to the ongoing travel restrictions, we were, frustratingly, unable to visit until mid-2022.
Since that first visit, we have returned twice, conveniently choosing to escape the chilly Cape Town winter. And here we are again.
Magical, mystical Bali
My post today comes to you with love and best wishes from the magical and mystical land that is Bali. It's a week overdue thanks in part to a horrible dose of flu, followed by all the packing and prior arrangements that go into making the three-month 'pilgrimage'.
You may be wondering why I chose to use the word 'strange' in the title of this post. It may seem a little unfair to a place we have fallen in love with. But it is a relative term that derives from what I imagine to be the general perspective of a visitor to Bali.
Canggu (pronounced Changoo) in the south-west is where it's at in Bali at the present – at least from the perspective of tourists and investors.
A land of contrast
It's manic yet vibrant; hot, yet uber cool; frenetic yet surprisingly centred; littered (sadly), yet somehow orderly.
Beaches, bars, clubs and restaurants are to be found all over and more are springing up than are closing down. Construction of shops, offices and villas is at fever pitch, and the once ubiquitous paddy fields are rapidly becoming more endangered than the white rhino.
My guess is that traffic volumes are at least ten times what the road infrastructure was built to cope with.
Russian roulette
Crossing a road is like playing Russian roulette. Pedestrians take their lives in their hands as great swarms of scooters (the Balinese call them motorbikes) weave in and out of the cars and on and off the sidewalks, as they look to press home the advantage of manoeuverability.
Amidst the hustle and bustle, congestion, humidity, and scantily clad tourists showing off their newfound scooter skills (or rather lack thereof) you might understandably expect to witness frayed tempers, frequent angry outbursts, and resentful, dismissive locals.
Yet there is, happily, none of that!
In fact, the exact opposite is true.
A gift from the Gods
The locals prefer to see the post-COVID busy-ness as a gift from the Gods, rather than an unwelcome imposition or intrusion.
I have had the good fortune to travel to many different countries but have never quite found authentic friendliness, grace and ... well, sheer reverence, at the level I have experienced here in Bali.
This may help explain my use of the word 'strange'. I don't mean it to convey weirdness, but rather just how pleasantly unexpected the experience of Bali is given the circumstances I have described.
Being single ... and a hero!
At the time of writing, Jenni is doing what so many take the opportunity to do in the island of the Gods – attending a retreat – so I am living the single life for a few days.
This morning, I took a walk to a nearby restaurant to get some breakfast. I had enjoyed an inexpensive yet tasty burger dinner there two days ago. The staff all greeted me with broad smiles, and their traditional prayer-like hand gestures. I felt almost as if I had made a hero's return after many years away!
And that is not abnormal.
In fact, this kind of enthusiastic greeting can be expected from people who exude authentic happiness and care for others. And this, despite the very modest circumstances in which most of them live.
The Balinese attitude to life also manifests in the fact that petty theft, crime and violence are negligible. An ordinary local person is many times more likely to chase after you to hand back the wallet you left on a table in the market, than to take the opportunistic route and make off with it.
A great deal to admire
There is a great deal to admire about the Balinese culture, steeped as it is, in religious ceremonies, festivals, dances, daily offerings, and traditional customs.
At the heart of life in this mystical land, is a profound sense of respect for humanity.
Valuable life lessons
There is so much that we can learn and embrace from the Balinese to improve our own daily lives. In particular ...
... Grace, tolerance, love, understanding, and deep respect and caring for our fellow human beings.
Something the world could do with a lot more of right now.
I'm sure you'll agree :-)
