After living in Bali for a month, I feel like I’ve started to find my groove,  only to have to get ready to move on.  I found some really good food places,  and I even have a favorite band (Unb’rocken) that I’ve seen 3 times.  This last week I just basically did some quiet things, stayed close to home, and basked in Bali’s glory.   Back when I was at Komune Beach Resort I had taken a yoga class with Lisa, an Aussie expat, who I have now practiced with 3 times this week, and I have to say if anyone is in Bali and looking for a really human (read REAL person), yet incredibly knowledgable yoga teacher, she is it.  She is technical, which I prefer and appreciate, so rather than having you hold poses incorrectly, she will educate you as to how every part of your body should be – and then she’ll make you feel it.  We laughed and sweated and were grateful to have found each other in this big world.  Wish I had a picture of the beautiful Lisa…but here’s a GREAT Bali band.

Unb’Rocken at Casa Luna

Remember when I first came to Ubud  I had gone to see the Kecak and Fire Dance at the local temple?  I was mesmerized by the Balinese costumes in that show.  So a few days ago while having a conversation with Komang, one of the caretakers at the villa that I’m staying in, I showed her my pictures from that dance and told her I would love to get “made-up” like these Balinese characters.  She looked closely at the pics, and surprisingly, she said, “that’s my cousin!  She dances in that show.” Small world, wouldn’t you say?  She whipped out her cell phone, called her cousin, exchanged a few brief Balinese sentences, and within 10 minutes her gorgeous cousin was standing before me and we were planning my “dress-up” session.  She was on her way to dance so she was already dressed and ready – here she is…

Nonni

The next day, Nonni came over with her 6 year-old beautiful daughter Mayle, and they all transformed me into a Balinese princess…as I wished.

It really was a lot of fun.  Nonni taught me how to pose like a Balinese dancer and how to hold my hands – of course her daughter, at 6, is already a complete pro, facial expressions and all. And afterwords, Komang and I had a long talk about starting a business where she will offer this to tourists as a service, just like a tour or a spa treatment.  I hope to help her get this off the ground and grab this opportunity to make a better life for her and her family.

Make-up by Nonni

Beautiful Mayle

Almost ready…

Finishing touches…

I mean…MORE finishing touches…

Meryl, Princess of Bali Kecak Dance!

Mayle showing me how to stand and hold my hands – she’s got ‘tude!!

Always wanted to be a dancer…

Komang, Nonni, & Mayle, my artists!!

So I said my goodbyes to Bali, to the White Villas, my home in Ubud, to Jl Sandat, my street that I walked, to the resident roosters, the dogs that lay in the streets, the Balinese neighbors who smile and nod, and the sweet, always smiling Balinese people who touched my heart.

My Ubud home

Kitchen area

Upstairs bedroom

Ensuite Bath

And as I handed my passport to the customs agent, I had one last smack over the head of the corrupt govt here.  I had overstayed my visa by one day – I didn’t know you count the day you arrive in the 30-day total – so they lead me to an office where I was told I have to pay.  I didn’t have a single cent on me in rupiah.  I had 18 US dollars.  That’ll do.  No receipt.  Carry on.

Take-off for Thailand…