I had Miki’s motor bike for the day yesterday, my last full day here. The morning was taken up with writing as I sat on my porch, sipped coffee, listened to roosters and wrote. That was lovely.
Several gift ideas were on my mind so I went shopping on my way to the ATM. One stop at the market, intent on finding someone with great energy, and I found Made and her husband. She held up something I batik I had been looking for which was lovely so I said jokingly, “And for only $10,000” (rupiah) to which she responded, “Yes, only $10 dollars (US)” and she chuckled along with me. She was great, I joked with her so she joked right back.
It was such a quick transaction! She started at $150,000 per bag and I was a bit shocked. A lady earlier had offered the same but in patterns I did not like $100,000 and that was the total for three bags?! Plus, I didn’t like the earlier ladies energy at all. Made quickly adjusted and sold me all three for $120,000. I bought more things and paid her extra. Not much shopping as I quickly wandered into the right shop with a great lady and then I was off for a coffee and cinnamon roll at Tutmak. I like shopping like that. Often, it involves hours of wandering, haggling, haggling some more, walking away, looking some more and so forth.
I still haven’t learned my lesson on coffee! I decided to give Tutmak another chance since they have such a wonderful cinnamon roll and I am having treats my last few days here. The roll arrived steamy and perfect. The coffee had huge white splotches in the little crema on top and it was bitter. It didn’t taste as bad as some but wasn’t good either. This afternoon, I’ll go back to the place in Kuta!
Another quick stop to see my friend Ayu at the shop near Wayan’s and she had some banners I wanted to buy. She is another person here with lovely energy and I was happy she had something I was interested in so I could give her some money.
After that, I really wanted to sit by the pool but it was cloudy so that wasn’t happening! I had intended a quick trip into the country to visit the holy waters at Tirta Empul but that expanded. My friends told me the temple carved in rocks before that was very nice!
Nyoman gave me directions and told me of a place I hadn’t heard of, Yeh Pulu, which was quiet and beautiful. There are reliefs there. I met an old woman who got so excited that I was dressed properly, touched my heart and my sarong and literally drug me to a statue of Ganesha for a blessing. I left her some money.
At Gunung Kawi, the temple carved in the rocks, I met with similar enthusiasm. The men at the ticket station, staff and security, smiled and gave me a thumbs up for dressing properly. One man smiled, pointed and said, “That’s very good, respect!”. I was happy I remembered to bring along my sarong and learned to put it on properly. Men wear them differently than women and they were surprised and excited that I knew how to do that.
Here are a few photo’s from those experiences.
I spent the entire afternoon walking and exploring. Onward, I traveled to Pura Tirta Empul. It is a place considered to have strong natural energy and magical vibration where people go for cleansing (Melukat). I’ve heard it referred to as a place of “holy water”. I wasn’t prepared for the feeling emanating from the spring, a power beckoning me to join it. Having my sarong and sash, I was able to use the locker room to dress properly and to go into the holy waters. I didn’t want to leave!
After, there was a holy man doing blessings and I sat with him for a blessing. Many other tourist slowed down and stopped to do have a blessing as well.
Back in Ubud, I stopped by to see the friends I bought my statue and sarong from. What wonderful people! I bought another couple things from them. The night before, I was walking down the sidewalk balancing on the edge above the street. At one point, I nearly lost my balance stepping off into the street but was able to right myself. As I approached the area of their shop in the dark, Made was still there with her bags to take home. The shop was shut.
She stood on one foot teetering like I had done 50 meters up the road joking with me. She said she saw me coming and waited to tell me hello. She also said God blessed them when I came into their shop! What lovely people. I bought a few more things yesterday and experienced new pricing. First it was friend price. Then, I saw something else I wanted and they chattered back and forth about a price and then shyly offered a very low price. They said when I shop there it is very good luck for them. After I leave, a lot of people show up so they offered me a grateful price. I’ve had morning price, afternoon price, good luck price, special price, friend price and now a price that can only be described as grateful price.
Here they are….
His father is some sort of Holy Man as well. I bought one more sarong to bring home purchasing the one his father favors for his ceremonies. They told me that with the rice still attached to my forehead and temples, I looked like I belonged in Bali. Maybe I do?