Bali is my sacred home

tedja

Hi. I have been coming to Bali since the end of 2003. Over the last 20+ years i have generated three global events that include the Balinese and their amazing culture. That work lead into an ongoing institute for Balinese collaborative learning and support of this fascinating indigenous culture. My son now lives here, married to a Balinese woman and i have two wonderful young Balinese grandsons. Returning to Bali from Marin County, California, I look forward to meeting new people and joining your Balipod.

sakumabali

Nice ;) welcome to the forum!

gtrken

Yes I can agree with the Aboriginal aspect as have seen what the ravages of alcoholism can do. Alice Springs is currently a prime example of a community being held to ransom by a few . In a lot of communities , both country and city , unfortunately the elders have lost control of the youth and when 12 year olds are stealing cars/booze/drugs and get nothing but a slap on the wrist then what hope is there? The congenial climate, the low cost of living, the strong Indonesian family bond and relative safety is something I hope to enjoy soon. Cheers Still wistful Ken

Balifrog

harryopal wrote visitors are referred to as "space cadets".

Love that one !

YachtRock

tedja wrote Hi. I have been coming to Bali since the end of 2003. Over the last 20+ years i have generated three global events that include the Balinese and their amazing culture. That work lead into an ongoing institute for Balinese collaborative learning and support of this fascinating indigenous culture. My son now lives here, married to a Balinese woman and i have two wonderful young Balinese grandsons. Returning to Bali from Marin County, California, I look forward to meeting new people and joining your Balipod.

Marin Country has got to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth. I wanted to live there for many years but never could quite afford it. Not fair you get to move from there to another of Earth's most beautiful places In all seriousness though, welcome to the forum and fare you well

Markit

tedja wrote Hi. I have been coming to Bali since the end of 2003. Over the last 20+ years i have generated three global events that include the Balinese and their amazing culture. That work lead into an ongoing institute for Balinese collaborative learning and support of this fascinating indigenous culture. My son now lives here, married to a Balinese woman and i have two wonderful young Balinese grandsons. Returning to Bali from Marin County, California, I look forward to meeting new people and joining your Balipod.

Live here for 10 years or so and then see if you find it so "fascinating". Lovely people completely suppressed by their ubiquitous religion, lack of general education, overbearing Adat (local law) and general ignorance of how the modern world works. Many of my Balinese acquaintances haven't been farther away from where they were born than the 10 kilometers to the next main city, have no deeper education than 3rd grade and still believe in black magic. "Amazing Culture" they have managed to complicated the Hindu Religion completely out of all recognition for anyone that is, for instance, a priest in that religion but from its origins in India. Just take a look at the Balinese calendar if you want to see what keeps them busy doing absolute senseless things 24/7 365 days a year. Not to mention economic paupers for spending every penny they have on some daft ceremony, for instance convoluted cremation ceremonies for miscarriages, be they only 1 month old. Personally I view this all-pervasive religion as another form of repression. Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of time for people that like the Balinese because they manage not to go Postal due to all the above mentioned issues and keep smiling through the tears. Countless are the times I've asked why they're spending money they don't have (monthly mortgage for motor scooters anyone?) on some ceremony when they don't have any paint on their walls and their kids a shitty education, but if I hear one more "that's Bali" I may also go Postal. Enjoy your time here but take off those rose colored glasses before you stumble.

Balifrog

[USER=1532]@Markit[/USER] , 90% agree with all of your post. I lived 10 y in Thailand where they spend a lot of.time adoring the Budha (and the King), ceremonies at the temple, prayers at home, etc.... But it is nothing compared to Bali. My companion is from East Java, but Hindu as all her family. The time and money spend on religious things...... incredible ! And at the same time they do about everything that the said religion disaproves. Anyway, their country their rules. I am here for the sun, the sea, the weather, not the religion or the ancestral customs. First time I visited the jungle village and met the family, I was invited ti joinvthem at the temple. I gently explained them that I am Christian and my religion does not allow me to adore or pray to another God. They agreed....Problem solved, never came up again. But I have seen the same adulation by some dreamer farangs in Thailand who "found paradise"

harryopal

There is a not dissimilar need to believe a spiritual home has been found when foreigners arrive in Aboriginal homelands in Australia and feel very deeply that the Aboriginal people have a profound knowledge and understanding of the secret rules of the universe. In the Centre such visitors are referred to as "space cadets". Having said that I respect the fact that traditional Aboriginal people have an attachment to the land based on thousands of years habitation. But most Aboriginal communities are ravaged by alcohol, drugs and self destructive behaviour. Much of that has to do with colonization, genocide and the oppressive history of the invaders. We wander through life with a vague feeling that there must be answers to the impossible questions and mysteries as to the meaning of life. So easy to see Balinese, Thais, Nepalese, Aborigines or other exotic people as having special insight. In the end, they like us, just go around in circles with good and bad results. A more congenial climate, an affordable cost of living and a feeling of relative safety make Bali the place I want to remain.