There is a flow to life, a flow that operated everywhere! Much of the time, people are simply to busy, preoccupied, to focused on “their” goals, or simply out of touch to notice. Richard Bach made this point in the introduction to the book “Illusions” by sharing a similar story:
Once, there was a village of creatures along the bottom of a great crystal river.
The current of the river swept silently over them all-young and old, rich and poor, good and evil, the current going its own ay, knowing only its own crystal self.
Each creature in its own manner clung tightly to the twigs and rocks of the river bottom, for clinging was their way of life, and resisting the current what each had learned fro birth.
But one creature said at last, “I am tired of clinging. Though I cannot see it with my eyes, I trust that the current knows where it is going. I shall let go, and let it take me where it will. Clinging, I shall die of boredom.”
The other creatures laughed and said, “Fool! Let go, and that current you worship will throw you tumbled and smashed across the rocks, and you will die quicker than boredom!”
But the one heeded them not, and taking a breath did let go, and at once was tumbled and smashed by the current across the rocks.
Yet in time, as the creature refused to cling again, the current lifted him free from the bottom and he was bruised and hurt no more.
And the creatures downstream, to whom he was a stranger, cried, “See a miracle! A creature like ourselves, yet he flies! See the Messiah, come to save us all!”
And the one carried in the current said, “I am no more Messiah than you. The river delights to lift us free, if only we dare let go. Our true work is this voyage, this adventure.”
But they cried the more, “Saviour!” all the while clinging to the rocks, and when they looked again, he was gone, and they were left alone making legends of a Saviour.
Wisdom or folly, letting go lifts you up.
In Kuala Lumpur, I walked to the light rail station for a a lift near the Petronas Towers. They automatic ticket machine wasn’t working very well! I had correct change, $1.60 MYR. The change fell through the machine to the collection drop and the bill kept being rejected. I tried another machine with the same result. I tried another machine with the same result. Back to another machine to try again and a hand materialized in front of me with three different coins. “Try these” a voice spoke. A man had seen me watching the Kul Art and wanted to help.
Wondering about how to get to Ketambe and what it was like there, I saw in the lobby of the Blue Angel Hotel in Medan, Sumatra preparing to check on the web when I heard my name spoken. Roger I met earlier in the day pointed to someone new and said, “Larry, he just got in from Ketambe. You are going there tomorrow right?” Steve trekked for days, told me how he had gotten there and was very helpful about the route to get there and the options for when to arrive.
This morning, I left Lek Jon Cottages before 8:00 for the 30 minutes walk to Toba’s where they have fresh made “brown bread” and a breakfast buffet including juice, drink, fruit, eggs, Indonesian pancake, etc. for only $54,000. I was making a mental list for what information to get on the web. Feeling like I’m done here and debating where to go next, I contemplated my options. 1.) Return to Medan and fly to Lankawi for some beach time; 2.) return to Medan and fly to Penang; and 3.) return to Medan and catch a bus to Bukit Lawang to see the Orangutan recovery center there?
Arriving at Tobas, I found a table more outside near an electrical outlet and sat down my bag to go look at the buffet options. I fixed a plate and returned to my table when a couple walked in sitting across the other side of the space from me about 20 feet away. Something they said caught my attention so I said hello.
They had just been in…….guess where?!?!? Amanda and Shane from Australia, here for breakfast before catching the 10:00 ferry to the mainland and a car to Medan, were delighted to tell me about Bukit Lawang. I asked if she could write a name down for me. Returning from the desk with pad and pen, she started writing.
Immediately, without lifting a finger or efforting to do anything, I had everything I had asked for and more. Ferry schedule off the island, option for getting a private car to Medan for $65,000, name of bus station to Bukit Lawang, location of faster and more comfortable minibus’s near the bus station, guides name, lodging name, best food in Bukit Lawang and even a suggestion it would be possible to go directly from there to the airport for a flight to Penang. Poof, there it was!
I also have a card she gave me for a wonderful bike ride in Bali.
That sort of travel magic happens every day, a flow takes over if I allow it and listen. Hands point, strangers help, an English speaking person shows up at the most helpful moment, grunts and words and hand signs turn into understanding and the trip magically unfolds.
This is also the reason I don’t travel by schedule. Paying too much attention to schedule, opportunities are lost.
It’s Christmas season over here and yes, people celebrate Christmas and take holiday. I’ll be going back to Penang in four or five days and have yet to book a ticket. A tip this afternoon suddenly informed me I will benefit by going to Kuala Lumpur before going to Borneo. The Indonesian Embassy there can issue a 60 day permit for me, visa on arrival will only give you 30. It can be renewed but may take up to 10 days. I won’t be anywhere for 10 days to wait.
Incredible journey Larry. I’ve so enjoyed reading the experience you are having and the goodness of the people who magically appear on your path each day. Your spirit of adventure and flexible nature are quite amazing as you seem to see no obstacles and just a world of possibilities. A good learning for all of us in life to just let go and see what happens. You have no idea how important it was for me to read your post and than ask myself, “How can I apply this way of thinking to my current situation and just see what unfolds?” You are still a master at teaching others and again you have touched (influenced) my way of thinking. Be safe my friend and I will keep you in my positive thoughts.