Yesterday, I sat down once again at Warung KACU for a bite to eat. I’d been to Eddy, seen Nyoman, gone to visit the Holy Knife, stopped for groceries and was headed back to Dewa’s. I didn’t really need or want anything so planned to head back. An urge nudged me to stop at KACU on the way for some lemon tea. It was 3 hours until dinner at Nyoman’s so I ordered lumpia. I love lumpia, can’t get it at home so find all sorts of reasons to order some.
I was sitting at the railing overlooking the sidewalk. It’s a nice spot, cool, good people watching and excellent light for reading. Glancing up, I saw a man across the street point to me and pantomime driving a car. He was asking if I needed a taxi. I pantomimed back turning a steering wheel and pointing to myself. He lowered his head wiping away imaginary tears. The lady behind me in the restaurant laughed. I raised my hands simultaneously, shrugging shoulders in an “I’m sorry” gesture. He smiled and waved before moving on. A special piece of Bali materialized right there.
Today, I headed off on an adventure of discovery. At Nyoman’s birthday party last night, I heard about another temple of healing waters. It’s at Sebatu and the directions seemed simple enough. Drive to the statue, take a left and go straight. Look for the sign to Sebatu and follow the signs. Confident that I would at least have a pleasant drive, I set off around 2:00 pm.
It was late for me. My body felt quiet from two healing sessions yesterday so I didn’t push anything. I laid by the pool, finished my novel, and decided to head out.
Once again, rain materialized but only a little. Sure enough, I found the sign for Sebatu, turned and followed signs until I got to the temple. I paid my admission and went in to look around. I didn’t find anything that looked what was described to me? Then the clouds burst open and I spent an hour or so under a room waiting for the rain to subside. When it did, I stopped a man and asked if this was the Holy Fountain.
He had never been but pointed up the hill telling me it was further on. In the village, he assured me they would be able to give me directions. Off I went and discovered more signs. Two young men chatted with me where I stopped to put on my rain jacket. I was on the right track. Around the corner, another road and I set off following it. Once again, the feeling of being on the right track disappeared. I stopped and turned around.
Back at the main road, I asked a man and he pointed the direction I had come from. Back I went, once again feeling uncertain, until the road disappeared and turned into trail. Surrendering to the notion I wouldn’t find it today, I turned around. It had been a gorgeous ride, hillsides tiered with rice fields in multiple shades of green, so it hadn’t been a total loss. Taking my time on the way back, I noticed some steps on the left.
That feels familiar, like what they described last night, lots of steps down! I looked up and the sign wasn’t for Sebatu but for melukat. A melukat is a ritual cleansing people go through on important occasions. The full moon is coming up so there will probably be a lot of people for that. A melukat is similar to the “limpia” in Mexico except it always involves water.
I walked the stairs all the way down to a strong spring surging from the side of the mountain. It was gorgeous. A temple above is here locals stop to make their offering and say their prayers. Below is a changing area. I was dressed properly in sarong so went into the spring with that.
On the drive back, I wondered about the pattern that has emerged the past two days. Yesterday, after surrendering any need to find the “Holy Knife” and head back to Ubud, I found him. Today, after driving down the same road twice and knowing it wasn’t feeling right, I did the same thing. Surrendering any need to find the Holy Fountain today, I headed back. Within moments, I found it.
Just when the hour looks hopeless or at it’s darkest, what I was seeking manifest effortlessly in front of me. Hmmmm, I’ll have to pay attention to that more carefully!
Ciao….
