Hello!
Yesterday was my birthday and it was a lovely day. Actually, as my friends from England would say, it was “Brilliant”. After a lazy start to the day, I went out for coffee, shopping for some herbs to bring back, bought a necklace for myself and went back to drop things off at Nyoman’s. Teet was there and I told him I was thinking of getting a massage. He recommended a place just up the road that had been recommended by Raylene who is a massage therapist from Australia. She’s the woman in the picture with me and the head of the Ogoh-ogoh. He also suggested I go by and set up an appointment as there are only two people working there and they get busy.
I went by to schedule, walked in as they were finishing a man and the table was open and I got right on. Lovely massage! I traded books at a used book store so have a new read and went back to Nyoman’s where I was promptly told to go “take a shower”. Secluded in my room, I knew everyone was up to something. When they called my name, I walked out to see a flaming cake headed my direction. The family, guests staying there and a few friends all sang me Happy Birthday! Here are some photo’s. What a lovely evening it was!
Today, I moved over to Dewa’s Bungalows for my final few days in Ubud. Everyone at Nyoman’s was going to Sebatu to the healing waters this morning at 7:00 am. When I got up before 7:00, Nyoman, his son Wayan and Teet were talking. Nyoman got up, looked at the Balinese calendar, and realized it was NOT a good day to go so we canceled plans. When breakfast was finished, everyone went about their day, I finished packing and headed off.
Wayan told me to take their motor bike rather than carry my big pack, now heavy with shopping items. I dropped it off, got my room, and had Bayu call Eddy to see if he could fit me in? He confirmed an 11:00 appointment. That was very short notice and I felt happy to be able to see him.
I went back to drop off the motor bike and pick up my little pack. Wayan told me to keep the bike today even when I told her I was going to Sukawati. I dropped what I didn’t need and headed to Sukawati ahead of my appointment with Eddy and finished some shopping. I’ve got everything I want except vanilla and powdered red ginger.
After Eddy’s amazing work, I had vegetarian lunch next door and got on my motor bike heading back. However, I felt a strong pull to go see the healer Tjokorda Gde Rai on my way back. Eddy was very slow and quiet today because of the ceremonies taking place today. That’s how I got in on such short notice.
I headed up the road and was feeling adventurous so drove a different way feeling like it would take me there as well. I stopped where a small shelter by the road said “police” and two men were sitting inside. I asked if they knew where Tjokorda Gde Rai was? After consulting each other and another man sitting near by, one officer got on his bike and told me to follow. Now, I was off with police escort.
He stopped at a shop with similar name and the two men there, after me re-pronouncing the name several times, realized who I wanted to see. They pointed up the road I was on, did the windy thing with their hands and I realized I knew exactly how to get there. I was off.
Once more time, listening and following brought me to the right place at the right time. The day before, I was first in line for the next massage. This morning, I was able to get in to see Eddy on short notice and not even one person was waiting for him so we had lots of time to visit. Then, I walked in to see Tjokorda Gde Rai and he was sitting chatting with two people he had worked with. It’s very unusual to see Tjokorda Gde Rai without a line waiting. By the time he finished with me, four or five people had arrived for sessions.
He told me there wasn’t much he could do for me as I was very good! The issues from before were gone and he consulted the Balinese Calendar letting me know my birthday yesterday was a very good birthday!
On the way back, I stopped at Kopi Bali for a good coffee. I remembered one of the staff had a daughter with a birthday near mine and asked her about it. She remembered mine was close so I told them it was yesterday. The coffee was great and as I spoke with Dode there, he asked me for some tips on making latte art. He also brought out a journal so I could write the names for a couple of video’s I thought would help him and then he asked me for the proper spelling of my name since sounding and spelling can be really different. I got behind the bar nervous as I’ve not made coffee in nearly two months but was able to pour some art for him and the staff to see.
As I sat back down sipping my coffee, my table was surrounded by staff when one member came through the door with a brownie and flaming candle on a “birthday” plate. What fun!
Now, I’m tired and relaxing at Dewa’s ready for an early night.